Pamela and Brian

24th January 2012 Last night we went out into the hot humid air and walked the 200 yards to the Tango Show. An atmospheric experience plus a meal with friends and travelling companions. A good finale to an amazing trip. As we were leaving, Brian saw two of his patients - its a very small world! Finally I have failed to upload even a handful of the hundreds of photos we have taken. I blame the ship's satellite internet connection.... There is now a 14 hour flight ahead and the loss of 4 hours somewhere between here and Heathrow. We have done our Tesco internet shop which should be delivered Thursday morning so nothing more to do now but pack the laptop - get out the kindle and wait for time to pass. Good bye South ... read more

21st January 2012 Yesterday we docked in Puerto Madryn. Temperature was 17c (low 60’s fahrenheit) No tenders across choppy seas to the shore this time. We were able to walk off onto the quayside in summer clothes for a change. We opted not to do an organised trip but instead made our own way to the Ecocentro, as recommended by Rough Guide. Very good whale ‘experience’ – all about the Right Whales that breed in this area (last month unfortunately). Back in the town we again took RG’s advice for lunch in ‘Estela’ – very good paella – no English spoken, which is a recommendation in itself. We are struggling a bit with the Spanish but Brian’s Latin helps. This is a fine looking seaside town, affluent and clean. Fishing and a large Aluminum plant are ... read more

Thursday 19th January 2012 Yes I know its Thursday because the mat in the lift says so. It’s also a sea day, which means we do not see anything but sea! We are on our way to Puerto Madryn on the Argentinian coast. Each cabinet has TV and the best channel is the one that shows the Captain’s view ahead plus the navigational details plus maps. We are now 47 degrees south so have come a long way from Antarctica. The sea is relatively calm and has been for the past 2 days, which meant that yesterday we were able to dock at Port Stanley in The Falklands. It was a glorious sunny day – it seems that the Falklands have had an unusually good summer. Brian had a visit with the medics to the hospital ... read more

Heading north now to The Fauklands 17th January The day before yesterday was a blue day – perfect for photographs and we saw the most majestic scenery in bright sunlight. There were whales, penguins a plenty and seals to photography and most of the people on board spent the whole day outside. Needless to say there were sunburnt faces last night. No protection from pollution here. We cruised past two research stations down the passageways to Decepcion Island, the South Shetland Island, Half Moon and Livingstone Island. The sea is full of small icebergs that the ship is negotiating and gently pushing aside and avoiding the huge ones that look like white/blue palaces in fairytales. Photography does not do credit to what we are seeing but I’ve taken hundreds of images. Last night, being a clear ... read more

16th January half Moon Island, Decepcion Island, South Shetland Island. Yesterday was a blue day – perfect for photographs and we saw the most majestic scenery in bright sunlight. There were whales, penguins a plenty and seals to photography and most of the people on board spent the whole day outside. Needless to say there were sunburnt faces last night. No protection from pollution here. We cruised past two research stations down the passage ways to Decepcion Island, the South Shetland Island, Half Moon and Livingstone Island. The sea is full of small icebergs that the ship is negotiating and gently pushing aside and avoiding the huge ones that look like white/blue palaces in fairytales. Photography does not do credit to what we are seeing but I’ve taken hundreds of images. Last night, being a clear ... read more

15thJanuary We made it to 65 degrees yesterday afternoon before being forced to turn round because of fog and ice in a narrow channel. We got just beyond Palmer station, which is a US research facility. We have 16 of their scientists on board who came by two zodiacs from the station yesterday afternoon. They came aboard up a rope ladder apparently to deck 3! - I don't know how, or if, they are going back to their station, as we are cruising away from it now. They gave a talk on their work yesterday and we are being encouraged to approach them where ever we see them around the ship but you know what we British are like - we would not even talk to them in the dining room (where they were eating for ... read more

Actually going to Palmer Station which is not on the list. Friday 13th January 2012 A quiet passage across from Patagonia (the southern area of south America) and we woke to calm waters and grey skies. We must have escaped the bad weather. Everyone is very excited on the ship about the prospect of seeing Antarctica later today. Its much colder now – below zero outside and everyone wrapped up even though they are still marching round the deck. Last night it was still light at 10.30pm and tonight it will be even later. We are now well inside Antarctic waters at 62 degrees south and 061 degrees west. We have been told to not allow light through our cabin windows so I expect the decks will be dark tonight. All to do with birds being ... read more

12thJanuary When we got back to the ship yesterday we discovered that because of storm forecast in Drakes passage (between Cape Horn and the Antarctic mainland) we were not going to Ushuaia but proceeding directly across the Passage into Antarctica to get ahead of the storm. So here we are at sea 57 degree south in 35 mile an hour winds 683 nautical miles from Antarctica and 143 miles from Cape Horn. Today we saw whales and porpoises so have stopped saying, “come on you whales”. I’m told we will stop being excited about them when we have seen lots and lots. Can’t wait. The decks are being hosed down at the moment so an opportune moment to write the blog as we are not allowed out. I have just been to Tai Chi and have ... read more