Half Moon Bay, South Shetland Islands

The plan today was to arrive in the Antarctic Sound at around 7.30 am and that it would be a great sight to watch from around 5am.  And then we would be taken ashore in groups.  That was plan A.  Plan B was that if there was an iceberg somewhere near the anchoring spot (and we knew that 2 ships couldn’t go there yesterday) then it would be too dangerous to stay and we would go to a different bay where at the very least we could do a Zodiac tour.  Plan C was if neither of the other plans worked then we would head around to the other side of the Peninsular.  So, got up early, went to the observation lounge and all the windows were covered in snow, visibility low, winds high, travelling slowly and at 7.15 Stefan announced we would not be going to the Sound now, rather we’d be off to the South Shetland Islands!!!  Where a landing is almost guaranteed!  I expect we will still see most of what we’ve come to see as we are in the area for 5 days but conditions are always tricky.  And it’s safety first!!  Now  in calm seas, there is some sunshine and I can see the Peninsular on the port side, beautiful icy mountains just waiting for us!!! 

So there were the usual couple of lectures to fill in the morning or just to relax, read & have a hot chocolate which is what I did.  Lunch followed, and we are now approaching the South Shetlands, will throw out the anchor in half an hour and we are in the first group ashore.  Several Orca whales here, no doubt we’ll see more as the day goes on.  

We’ve had a wonderful excursion to Half Moon Bay, the sea is calm and we walked on pebbles, snow and slush.  There is a large penguin colony on a steep rocky hill and quite a few fur seals lazing in the sun!  But we needed to keep a reasonable distance from them as they are frustrated males, all the females have gone back to where they were born for mating.  This really is the most beautiful place, there is an Argentine base here with 17 young people working during the summer.  They came down to meet us and to sell a few t-shirts etc.  Back on the ship now & it must be time for a pisco sour!!!!