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Posts posted by twangster
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Continuing down the peninsula.
The wind has picked up but it's a glorious day.
So many whales.
At one point I came back to my suite to warm up. A massive waterspout appeared right off my balcony. Then a whale came into sight and with a flick of its massive tail it slid below the surface. It was no more than thirty feet from me. Wow!
A research or exploration vessel of some sort ahead of us.
- DDaley, Cactus527 and Lovetocruise2002
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And that is how you ring in a new year in the Antarctic!
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New Years Eve aboard the Silver Wind.
To give folks some extra time tonight the daily briefing was moved to 19:00. Time for a pre-briefing beverage with music by Tomás.
In the briefing our expedition team leader Gert explained the challenges the ship faced at Brown Bluff. This position track shows all the maneuvering the bridge team had to do given the wind and ice.
The goal for tomorrow is a hike at Orne Harbor, weather permitting. Zodiac tours will be offered for those not up for a hike that will include a brief shore landing.
We will reposition the ship down the Antarctic Peninsula through a known whale hotspot.
These areas are protected with strict speed restrictions so we will have a leisurely morning and an afternoon arrival planned for Orne Harbor.
A New Year's Eve Gala dinner in The Restaurant followed at 18:15.
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This curious Adélie popped in for a visit.
I thought this was an Antarctic Shag but our zodiac driver and guide Damon called it an Antarctic Cormorant.
Damon should know. He maintains a great website:
https://www.ecosystem-guides.com/
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I understand a later group made it to shore but they found themselves ice bound for a little while, or so the story goes as told by fellow travelers.
Here a zodiac is being used for ice management.
Just as we were to unload an urgent call over the radio informed the crew to close the side gate.
Approaching ice required the ship to reposition and the platforms must be closed for this maneuver.
A few minutes later and the side gates was once again available.
A zodiac selfie from my 360 camera:
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The wind was pushing the ice into the same area of the sound where we were and over the radio I could hear they abandoned the concept of a shore landing. The ice was too thick at the shoreline and it was all the ship could do to keep the side gates operational for loading and unloading zodiacs.
The Adélie didn't mind the ice.
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Live from the Wind(s) of Antarctica. Dec. 19, 2023.
in Live Blogs
Posted
Today our expedition team will be offering a continental landing on Antarctica.
First off was the first group of hikers.
I'm in the second hiking group. Before my turn a zodiac cruise will take guests who chose not to hike for a brief landing as well.
While I am waiting, this dashboard appeared on my phone.
The waiting is killing me .