Christmas morning started early with an announcement that we were going to soon be entering the Lemaire Channel. In the last couple of days many boats have had to turn around in the 7mile channel due to the heavy ice, but not our ship! Built for icebreaking she did great, plus it seemed that maybe there was less ice today. The scene was made perfect by a little sprinkling of snow, and the constant chorus of "Merry Christmas".
I wasn’t sure how I would feel being away from family on Christmas morning, and as much as I miss them, the picture Steph sent of Lily and Cooper (niece and nephew) in their penguin pajamas, and the card from my parents made the miles not seem so far. We were also able to manage a very sketchy facetime conversation as they were opening presents!
I’m going to keep this particular blog short because I want to be able to focus on all the activities going on around here. It’s Nichole’s birthday so we’re going to surprise her with a bottle of champagne and a stuffed penguin over dinner. We started her off with a card this morning to make the day seem a little more special (which may not seem like much to you, but when you’re a long way across the world it’s a nice touch of home).
This morning we made landing at a rookery that had all three types of brush tail penguins; Gentoo, Adele, and Chinstrap. There were two penguin firsts today. Our first spotting of Adelie and our first baby penguins!!! I didn’t have quite enough zoom to actually get a good picture, but I have someone who is going to send me one and I'll post it another time. So far I’ve been opting for hikes but this time I just wandered at the rookery spending my time with the penguins. I figured this was a perfect way to spend Christmas morning.
The afternoon was all about ice and seals. We have been travelling south all day and have officially hit the Southern most latitude of any ship this year. We spent hours mesmerized by the ice flowing by the ship, listening to the thuds and cracks as the ship plower through. Thanks to all of the tips I’ve been receiving I’m actually created some pictures that I’m pleased with (Papa, you’d be proud!)
Well it’s time for a lecture by Ed Stump and I don’t want to miss it! Hope everyone has a great turkey dinner! Merry Christmas! I'll think of you as I'm enjoying the music of our on board band the "Explorer Spice Boys
I wasn’t sure how I would feel being away from family on Christmas morning, and as much as I miss them, the picture Steph sent of Lily and Cooper (niece and nephew) in their penguin pajamas, and the card from my parents made the miles not seem so far. We were also able to manage a very sketchy facetime conversation as they were opening presents!
I’m going to keep this particular blog short because I want to be able to focus on all the activities going on around here. It’s Nichole’s birthday so we’re going to surprise her with a bottle of champagne and a stuffed penguin over dinner. We started her off with a card this morning to make the day seem a little more special (which may not seem like much to you, but when you’re a long way across the world it’s a nice touch of home).
This morning we made landing at a rookery that had all three types of brush tail penguins; Gentoo, Adele, and Chinstrap. There were two penguin firsts today. Our first spotting of Adelie and our first baby penguins!!! I didn’t have quite enough zoom to actually get a good picture, but I have someone who is going to send me one and I'll post it another time. So far I’ve been opting for hikes but this time I just wandered at the rookery spending my time with the penguins. I figured this was a perfect way to spend Christmas morning.
The afternoon was all about ice and seals. We have been travelling south all day and have officially hit the Southern most latitude of any ship this year. We spent hours mesmerized by the ice flowing by the ship, listening to the thuds and cracks as the ship plower through. Thanks to all of the tips I’ve been receiving I’m actually created some pictures that I’m pleased with (Papa, you’d be proud!)
Well it’s time for a lecture by Ed Stump and I don’t want to miss it! Hope everyone has a great turkey dinner! Merry Christmas! I'll think of you as I'm enjoying the music of our on board band the "Explorer Spice Boys
Part of the penguin rookery at Booth Island
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