The Akademik Ioffe is a very fast, powerful and extremely stable ship. In only 36 hours we are within a few miles of passing Cape Horn. With winds up to 50 knots (90 km/h) even the Ioffe is now facing some rough moments.
.
Archive for February, 2010
23.01.10 SOUTH SHETLANDS – HALF MOON ISLAND
The last landing on this trip is Half Moon Island, a very special place for me. It is here that I first saw my first penguin in Antactica in 1997. I always feel very emotional coming back and this time it’s no different.
We leave Half Moon Island heading north… the trip is over… the Drake is waiting for us and we hope in its benevolence!
.
23.01.10 SOUTH SHETLANDS – DECEPTION ISLAND
For the second time this season we are at Deception Island. The wind conditions this time are favourable and we can enter the caldera.
On the black beach a few Chinstrap Penguins are wandering around and exploring the ruins of the old whaling station.
I play with the shapes and colours of the old tanks.
.
22.01.10 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – WILHELMINA BAY
We spend our last afternoon in the Antarctic Peninsula cruising in Wilhelmina Bay. Breathtaking scenery!
.
.
We are very sad as it’s time to leave the Peninsula and head north towards the South Shetlands. The Gerlache Strait is giving us the best possible farewell with glowing light on the stunning peaks.
.
22.01.10 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – CUVERVILLE ISLAND
After breakfast we plan a landing on Cuverville Island. We are soon mesmerized by the beauty of the icebergs around the island so we never landed.
During the zodiac cruise a pod of Humpback whales come up very close to greet us and check us out. What a thrilling experience!
.
22.01.10 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – ERRERA CHANNEL
We are woken up at 6am for an early bird zodiac cruise in the Channel. What a wonderful morning!
.
21.01.10 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – ERRERA CHANNEL
After the landing at Neko Harbour we reposition the ship inside the Errera Channel for the night. At the entrance a huge, magnificent iceberg in the soft evening light.
After a delicious BBQ on the outer decks some of us are getting ready to spend the night camping on land while others enjoy a quite evening on board.
.
21.01.2010 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – NEKO HARBOUR
The glacier at Neko harbour lends an amazing background for the Gentoo Penguin colony there.
.
21.01.2010 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – PARADISE BAY
After breakfast we land at Paradise Bay and we do a zodiac cruise along the glacier and among the beautiful icebergs.
A leopard seal is curious and checks us out. An impressive look… and you certainly don’t want to mess with it!
View of the Akademik Ioffe seen through an iceberg.
.
21.01.2010 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA – NEUMAYER CHANNEL
We stay at anchor for the night at Dorian Bay. At 4am I’m awake to check the light… wow … it’s these moments that remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing!
The Neumayer Channel shows us the best of all its peaks and glaciers in a glowing morning light.
.