Deception Island

Today was the final day of the Antarctica part of the expedition cruise and it was all based outside and inside Deception Island, an active volcano.

This morning was scenic cruising with a stop at Baily's Head outside the volcano to view a penguin rookery. There was a strong wind blowing so we didn't venture out onto the deck apart from a toe onto our balcony.

After passing through The Bellows, the narrow entrance into the caldera, we were going to go to Stancomb Cove, Telefon Bay, to do a landing and walk around the rim of nested volcano but the weather was bad: it was very windy and unpleasant. Whalers Bay became an option because no other expedition ships had booked tbe site for the afternoon so we went there instead, where it is more sheltered for a landing.

Paul and I decided not to get off - there was snow and fog, and the waves were choppy so we did a lot of reading in one of the lounges, Seabourn Square. At times we could hardly see the landing site because of poor visibility so we are glad we didn't go!Read more