Deception Island, Telefon Bay and Yankee Harbour

We hit the bar for a few drinks last night before the usual briefing at 6.45 pm.  After that we added several layers and proceeded up to the top deck for our hot rock dinner.    Turns out there were only 6 of us and we had a fantastic time.  It was cold, no wind though, and the ship supplied blankets for extra warmth.  One person, who shall remain nameless, looked like he was off to the Antarctic! We all cooked some prawns followed by a steak of choice served with baked potato, a  vegetable skewer, French fries, onion rings OMG!  what a feast!!!! Couldn’t wait for dessert as had to go to the lounge for a night of fun with the expedition team.  Each member had written a line about something they’d done in their past and we had to figure out ‘Who Done It’.  It was fantastic, very well done.  

This morning we are on Deception Island.  We transitted through Neptune’s Bellows around 6 am on our way to Telefon Bay.  A large group left the ship at 7 am for a 2.5 km hike to Craters and Viewpoint and the rest of us left at 8am for a shorter walk to the rim of the crater and back.  This crater was most recently active in 1967 and 1969 and its eruptions caused serious damage to the scientific stations based in surrounding areas.  Currently there are research bases now run by the Argentine Army and Spain.  

Back at the ‘beach’ flags had been set up and towels laid for those adventurous souls planning a ‘Polar Plunge’ in the sea!!!!  Imagine taking all that gear off, and baring the body for a 30 second dip then having to put it all on again but 23 people did go and they have to be admired! 

Back on board and moving on to Yankee Harbour which is a small inner harbour entered from Shopski Cove between Glacier and Spit Point, indenting the South-west side of Greenwich Island in the South Shetland Islands.  

Saw our last penguin rookery and seals this afternoon at Yankee Harbour.  The baby penguins were so cute, very inquisitive and all seemingly hungry waiting for their parents to come back with food!  We had a decent walk, on flat rocky terrain but no climbing.  The ride back in the Zodiac was very rough and appropriate for our last ride! A ship’s tender will seem tame now.  

This was our last excursion before heading out to the Drake Passage for our two day trip back to Ushuaia.