Ushuaia, Antarctica, Ushuaia 3

Unfortunately a landing site couldn't be found for Port Charcot this morning. I can't hear expedition announcements in our staff cabin so I sat in the Expedition Lounge, listening to the announcements for any progress or what might happen instead.

A kayak group were going out and one of the kayak leaders approached me and advised that someone had cancelled at the last minute, and asked if I'd like to go.

Yes! Of course I'd like to go! I dashed up to the room to get rid of my life vest, heavy overcoat and ski trousers, and put on an extra thermal layer on, then headed down to the boot room where the guests were getting ready to go kayaking. My kayaking suit was a medium as there were no small ones left, so I had plenty of padding! Then I had to put on a life vest over the top of that. Booties went over the foot part of our kayaking suits.

After heading out in a zodiac to our kayaks, 2 ladies decided that they didn't want to go kayaking after all, so call was made on the radio to request a zodiac to come out to fetch them, and they were transferred back to the ship.

I had a lady in my kayak and she did quite well. The current and a bit of wind made kayaking a bit hard but it was fine. Towards the end of the session, humpback whales were spotted so we kayaked towards them, and kept adjusting our whereabouts on the water to wherever a spout was spotted. Unfortunately I wasn't so lucky to see them! I didn't take many photographs from the kayak - I didn't want my hands getting cold from having to take my gloves off to activate the camera app on my phone.

Once back at the ship, I had a nice hot chocolate. A suitable landing site still hadn't been found so zodiacs were taking guests out for a cruise in the bay.

In the afternoon the zodiac did cruises into Ice Berg Alley/Pleneau Bay, just around the corner from Port Charcot, but I was very tired and didn't go. I slept the afternoon away instead!Read more