Antarctica: Errera Channel

From Andvord Bay, Insignia repositioned to Errera Channel. The timing was perfect … lunch time … we went to the Terrace Café so we could continue to enjoy the scenery. For the second day in a row, soup looked to be the most popular item at the buffet.

A little before 1:00p, Expedition Leader Stephanie came on the P/A to tell us that Captain Stjepan was going to maneuver the ship to pass close to a big iceberg … probably the biggest one we’d be seeing on our journey through Antarctic waters. It was a beautiful piece of ice … big enough that one has to wonder at the size of the glacier that would have given birth to it … must be massive beyond words.

Our cruise through Errera Channel started off well enough. Stupendous scenery … as we have come to expect. But it wasn’t long before the mountain tops became veiled by fog. Then, it started to rain and sleet. The wind began to howl.

Suddenly deck 10 was deserted. I’m guessing that people sought shelter … in the Horizons Lounge (which has been packed since we began our scenic cruising yesterday) or in their cabins. Mui and I picked up some hot chocolate, broke out the hand warmers, and sat in the protected corner of deck 10 where there are four chaise lounges. Every once in a while, someone came out on deck … but for the most part, we had the place to ourselves. Total solitude. Silent … except for the wind screaming down the staircase that goes up to deck 11. No matter … we were cozy where we were … and loving every minute of the experience.

We passed by some penguin rookeries on shore. We saw some seals and whales in the water in the Errera Channel. But I’d have to say that Andvord Bay won the wildlife award today hands down.

Around 4:00p, with no indication that the weather was going to let up, we decided to go to our cabin. Time to get ready for tonight’s special event for RTWers … at least some of them.Read more