Getting excited to see Penguins again!
February 6, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 36 °F
Hello LA
February 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
SEA -> LAX -> IAH -> EZE
Hello Houston
February 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Last stop in the US before the long leg to Bueno Aires.
Hello Bueno Aires!
February 9, 2025 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Overnight in Bueno Aires. Then off to Ushuaia tomorrow morning.
Hello Octantis
February 10, 2025 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
I missed this ship (and room). Feels like seeing an old friend.
Sailing the Drake Passage
February 11, 2025, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 41 °F
3-4 meter swells. Not Drake Lake, not quite Drake Shake.
Hello Antarctica!
February 12, 2025, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 30 °F
Sailing through the English Channel. We get a landing today! Woot!
Recorded a bunch of Chinstraps, a few Gentoos, lots of Antarctica Shags, 2 Wilson Storm Petrels, and a couple Antarctic Turns. NotRead more
Special Operations Boat
February 12, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ⛅ 30 °F
The Special Operations Boat (SOB) is a very cool toy.
Each ship has 2 boats. Based on a a boat originally designed for the military, Viking customized the design by extending the length to accommodateRead more
Fort Point, Antarctica
February 12, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ⛅ 32 °F
Chinstraps, Gentoos, Fur Seals, a couple Elephant Seals, Humpbacks, Lots of flying birds.
The plan was for a landing, but due to the large number of Fur and Elephant Seals, which aren’t goodRead more
Portal Point
February 13, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ⛅ 27 °F
Lots of whales. Our first (and only) continental landing in Antarctica!
Went kayaking too!
64°30'S 61°46'W
NAMESAKE: named by British explorers, a gateway route to access theRead more
Kayaking at Portal Point
February 13, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ⛅ 28 °F
Lots of little bergies. Steered clear of a napping Leopard Seal.
There was a Leopard Seal last time I kayaked too. Must be a thing for me… lol
Expedition Team said that was the first one they hadRead more
Lemarie Channel
February 14, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 30 °F
Plan was to pass through the Lemarie Channel to Port Charcot. Unfortunately there was a massive ice berg blocking the exit. Octantis made an amazing u-turn in a very narrow channel.
(Black and WhiteRead more
Arnoux’s beaked whale sighting
February 14, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 30 °F
Saw these in the Lemarie Channel, next to the massive ice berg blocking our passage.
Chris, the marine mammal specialist was super excited about the observation. Thought it was a Minke whale atRead more
Hidden Bay
February 14, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F
The original explorers approach from the North and a string of islands create a screen hiding the bay, hence the name “Hidden Bay”. (Thank you Tato for the info)
Map in the photos.
Danco Island!
February 15, 2025, Bransfield Strait ⋅ ☁️ 25 °F
Probably my favorite place in Antarctica. Danco Island just makes me happy.
Weather Balloon launch
February 15, 2025, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 28 °F
Due to helium needed to launch the balloon, Octantis can only do 1 weather balloon launch a week. Pretty neat to watch science in action.
Site to track daily global weather balloon launches inRead more
Melchior Islands
February 16, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 30 °F
NAMESAKE: vice-admiral of the French Navy Jules Melchior
DISCOVERY: during the German expedition of 1873/4 by Dallmann, charted by French Antarctic Expedition under Charcot in 1903-1905
LOCATION:Read more
Humpback Whales feeding!
February 16, 2025, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 30 °F
Came across a couple groups of Humpback Whales feeding. Captain did a (very tight) U-Turn so we could check them out. One group decided to come close to the ship and give us a show. Never seenRead more
Spert Island
February 17, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ☁️ 30 °F
63°51'S 60°56'W
NAMESAKE: Named by the United Kingdom Antarctic Place-Names Committee (UK-APC) in 1960 for Sir Thomas Spert, Controller of the King's Ships in the time of Henry VIll
DISCOVERY:Read more
Mikkelsen Harbour
February 17, 2025 in Antarctica ⋅ ❄️ 32 °F
Last stop in Antarctica. (Sad face)
Gentoo Penguin rookery, with 1 Chinstrap hanging out. (Our Expedition Leader Isa, named him Pedro)
NAMESAKE: a Norwegian Arctic captain, first to take Sven FoynRead more
Birds of the Drake
February 18, 2025, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 37 °F
Spent 5 hours, on deck, looking for birds. Only saw ~5, but it was well worth it.
Snowy Albatross (aka Wandering) - (2 in 2 trips, Woot!)
Grey-headed Albatross
Southern Giant-Petrel
Sailing the Drake
February 18, 2025, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 37 °F
10-12 ft seas, gentle wind. Still chilly, but the sun is out and it’s nice. Looking for birds… hope to see an Albatross… think birds!
We’ve only seen 2 Southern Giant-Petrel (might have beenRead more
Sailing the Beagle Channel
February 19, 2025 in Russia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °F
Crazy winds 70 knots, so no deck access for bird watching. :-/
Still pretty awesome to experience such a different crossing than last time.
Peale’s Dolphin
February 19, 2025 in Argentina ⋅ 🌬 50 °F
Thought they were Penguins porpoising in the waves, but upon closer inspection they were dolphins!
Last morning in Ushuaia
February 21, 2025 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
Beautiful sunrise to send us off. Not too sad, cause I know I’ll be back for another adventure. :-)
TravelerLove Penguins