Changes n Latitudes, Changes n Attitudes

"It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same". Jimmy Buffett

We made landfall this evening on Robert Island. Part of the South Shetland Islands. The islands forms a protective northwest cover around the Antarctic Peninsula. It was magical.

Around 3PM, humpback whales and penguins, porpoising through the water, became our escorts as we headed into the passage. Icebergs everywhere small and large. The sun shining brightly, mountains rising in the distance behind. Fourty-eight hours ago we thought we were finished, now we are in an icy wonderland.

We learn disembarkment will be at 7:30PM so we have dinner before we load up on the zodiacs and head for the landing spot.

In no time we are there. We step ashore - bundled up for cold weather that isn't there. Dozens of penguins are on the beach to greet us. They have swum for miles catching fish for their family and are stopping at the beach side resort for some R&R.

Eight foot long elephant seals are nearly passed out on the shore exhausted from hunting giant squid deep into the ocean and getting ready to molt.

As we make our way inland, we see hundreds of Gentoo penguins some with their young chicks, others still sitting on their eggs. We give them their distance - it is their home.

Little Chinstraps intermingle with their bigger Gentoo cousins. As well as being amazing swimmers the "Chinnies" climb high up the hills, their wings making them great swimmers and providing balance as they climb.

A constant braying sound can be heard as Gentoo's call out to their mates so they can find each other and share the catch. Nothing says I love more than regurgitating fish into your loved one's mouth.

Our two hours on shore are seemingly over before they start; as shortly after 9:30 PM we are back on the boat and celebrating a spectacular first landing.

It's nearly midnight as I write this from the deck of the bridge. The sun has set but the SW horizon is still a glow, whales are still frolicking in the water and icebergs remain everywhere.Read more