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Published: January 12th 2023
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Today’s list of requests included seals (any type, bonus points for leopard), wildlife on ice, and a ‘typical’ Antarctic view of icebergs and brash ice. And a stop to the rain! In keeping with tradition of the past few days, Mother Nature delivered.
The wake up call was greeted with the usual cherry cacophony of whinging and moaning so we left them to go to breakfast. We were headed to Mikklesen Harbour where we would attempt a ‘double operation’ - half of us on a zodiac cruise and half on a landing. We were first in the zodiacs so we approached the encroaching glaciers to see what there was to find. No wildlife to be seen but some spectacular views of glaciers pressing their way down the steep cliffs and some fascinating formations around the point with glaciers of many different hues.
Next up the landing where several Weddell seals greeted us in the slopes. Well, lay in the sun and occasionally raised an eyebrow to enquire why we had disturbed their day of napping in the sun. Some of them lazily raised a flipper or lifted their heads in a pretty pathetic attempt at a greeting but we
were happy to watch them roll around, scratch themselves and perform yoga poses in the sun while we watched. Walked around the island, between seals and several rookeries of Gentoo penguins and the absolutely stunning views and dazzling sun, we managed to fill our allotted time before we were back on the boat and headed for our next stop - Cierva Cove.
An obligatory nap after lunch before we arrived in the most spectacular destination - a cove surrounded by sloping peaks with the inky water peppered by icebergs - some huge, blue and imposing and some small enough to eat…so I heard! So we were keen to get out in it and wasted no time when we were called to the mud room. The girls are, by now, quite adept at kitting themselves out in all the required paraphernalia.
Straight into the zodiacs and into the brash ice - the groups that had gone before us had headed straight towards a leopard seal who was napping on an ice floe and we followed them, hoping she was still up for company. She was still taking visitors but didn’t look overly delighted to make our acquaintance, as she
rolled around and yawned on her icy throne. Next stop was a Weddell seal who had also taken up residence on a larger berg amongst the brash ice, but he couldn’t even be bothered to raise his head in greeting.
Some more zodiacing through the brash ice, some scenic vistas of icebergs set on a background of a grey sky (our weather luck had apparently dried up by now) and some peaceful stillness with only the sounds of the crunching ice and the waves rolling up against the huge ice bergs filled the remainder of our time before we headed back to the ship. Today’s cocktail of the day was made particularly special and delicious by the addition of glacier ice!
We have ticked off all our desired sightings, and then some, so tomorrow’s last stop at Deception Island and the polar plunge will hopefully be a fitting end to the trip.
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