twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 Day Two - Sea Day Pleasant day with calm seas. Bunch of these guys looking for a quick meal. Position report: Starlink speed test MaryS, JohnK6404, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 Zodiac groupings posted outside the theater along with some guidelines for the excursions. The theater where our daily briefings will take place. Several orientations will take place today as noted in the Chronicle. Lovetocruise2002, SpeedNoodles, Ampurp85 and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 Day two Chronicle: 20 DEC - At Sea.pdf PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted December 20, 2023 Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 I can't wait for the pictures!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted December 20, 2023 Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 15 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said: Wait. I missed a Galapagos blog?????? He snuck it in there over the summer! I've moved it to this Live Blogs forum..lots of Boobies, though. You've been warned ScottD, Ampurp85, Big Tule and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 20, 2023 Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said: He snuck it in there over the summer! I've moved it to this Live Blogs forum..lots of Boobies, though. You've been warned I would expect nothing less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 Some menus for today. I won't post these very often but it will give you an idea of what is offered on board. Wind Day 2 MDR Lunch Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 MDR Dinner Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 Grill Lunch Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 Grill Dinner Menu.pdf.pdf Wind Day 2 La Terrazza Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 La Terrazza Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 Room Service Breakfast Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 Room Service Dinner Menu.pdf Wind Day 2 La Dame Menu.pdf Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404, CruzOnBye and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 New information posted outside the theater. https://www.ecosystem-guides.com/Antarctic-ocean-and-seashore.html Mandatory IAATO and Zodiac briefing in the theater this morning. If you don't attend you are stuck on the ship until the end of the cruise. Basically they played the same videos that were available on the plane coming to Puerto Williams. JohnK6404, Lovetocruise2002, CruzOnBye and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 It's such a beautiful day... So I decided to have lunch at The Grill. It is kind of chilly outside so they found me a table under a heater. Petrels on patrol, Giant Southern Petrels. I noticed something else while I was up here. I spotted a Starlink internet antenna. I've not seen them mounted on a pole like this. Perhaps snow mitigation? PPPJJ-GCVAB, wordell1, SpeedNoodles and 11 others 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 The last and final orientation step was a mandatory biosecurity check and putting my boots in the "mud room" on deck 3. They inspect any previously worn outerwear for possible contaminants. Down on deck 3 is a mud room where our boots are stored in between tours off the ship. This keeps mud out of the guest areas and the excursion team can make sure everything is sanitized and clean between ports of call. With this step done, next up is the 5pm daily briefing that will discuss tomorrow's activities. Ampurp85, SpeedNoodles, wordell1 and 5 others 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 First daily briefing at 5pm. We were introduced to the department heads. As they say in expedition cruising, they replace the singers and dancers of an entertainment cast you would find on a classic cruise with expedition staff. We have a good sized expedition team on board and we met them as well. Then on to our briefing for our visit to New Island tomorrow. Two shore visits tomorrow. The first one will start with a 5-7 minute zodiac ride and a wet landing. We are expecting some wind in the morning. Something that is noteworthy is the requirement to wear bog boots or rubber boots. This is due to the Avian Flu protocols. If you are thinking about bringing your own boots, make sure they don't have laces and are rubber boots or the type they rent. Second stop of the day will be a dry zodiac landing at a pier. A tea house is a popular venue to visit at this stop. wordell1, MaryS, Ampurp85 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Wonderful dinner tonight with Filet Mignon as my main cooked exactly as I like it. There is a pianist on board as well as a guitarist/vocalist. Name that Tune later tonight as well. I see a sunset in the making, heading to my suite to grab my camera. wordell1, PPPJJ-GCVAB, SpeedNoodles and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Sunset didn't disappoint. Many birds out looking for an evening snack. This last photo was taken at 9:35pm. WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002, MaryS and 12 others 7 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Day Three - New Island Position report: MaryS, Ampurp85, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 As predicted the winds were up and today's kayaking has been cancelled. Our arrival to New Island: SpeedNoodles, Big Tule, Lovetocruise2002 and 9 others 8 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottD Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Do people live in that little village area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 6 minutes ago, ScottD said: Do people live in that little village area? Yes. ScottD and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Our Ubers were lowered to the water. A quick breakfast in La Terrazza and then to my suite to get ready. MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Our first stop of the cruise this morning starts with our first zodiac ride. Zodiac groups were called with around 10 minutes between groups. Once my group number was called it was down to the mud room to put on my boots and leave my shoes behind. The redcoats are coming! AlmondFarmer, WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002 and 8 others 5 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Once on land they collect our life jackets and we are directed towards a trail. We meet a guide who will escort us to the nesting site as a group. It's pretty much exactly as they explained in the briefing yesterday. Our first opportunity for some wildlife up close. First up is an Upland Goose. And some chicks. I'm falling behind, too many photo ops. Gotta catch up. JohnK6404, WAAAYTOOO, SpeedNoodles and 9 others 8 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 A short 20 minute walk later and we reach the nesting site. The site is basically wall to wall birds. Imperial Cormorants. Rockhopper penguins. WAAAYTOOO, Skigoofy, JohnK6404 and 9 others 5 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Penguins! Everywhere! Ampurp85, MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 7 others 3 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 There are also Black-browned Albatross. JohnK6404, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Skigoofy and 6 others 3 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Sweety, MaryS, Lovetocruise2002 and 8 others 5 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 The cliff face all around is loaded with breeding birds. Yesiamthere, Big Tule, Sweety and 9 others 5 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Not to be outdone for cuteness, the penguins have something to show. MaryS, Lovetocruise2002, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Imperial Cormorants are also eager to steal the show. But who can resist penguins! MaryS, WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002 and 5 others 3 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 I have a bunch of photos beyond what I posted here but soon enough it was time to head back to the landing site. Skigoofy, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Lovetocruise2002 and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 There is a museum and gift shop at the landing site. I forgot to bring cash or card so no retail therapy for me. WAAAYTOOO, JohnK6404, SpeedNoodles and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Taxi! Lovetocruise2002, SpeedNoodles, Sweety and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 I used my waterproof 360 camera for the ride back. The zodiac driver warned us heading into the wind will result in more sea spray. He was right. SpeedNoodles, Cactus527, Lovetocruise2002 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Back on the ship we all had a turn on the boot wash machine. Summary courtesy of my Apple Watch. I forgot to start it at the beginning of the landing site. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 I love how cute and spicy those penguins looked. DDaley, MaryS, ScottD and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 THE PENGUINS IM DONE GOODBYE Big Tule, MaryS, ScottD and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Day Three - Afternoon, West Point Island During lunch we've made our way to our second stop for today. The wind is pretty strong and we sailed through through strong currents on the way here but the ship handled it very well. They've just come over the PA system to state the winds are over 30 knots and they are sending out a scout to assess the situation on land. There are operational guidelines with respect to environmental and we may be pushing the threshold to perform a zodiac landing safely. Lovetocruise2002, SpeedNoodles, MaryS and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 8 hours ago, twangster said: Once on land they collect our life jackets and we are directed towards a trail. We meet a guide who will escort us to the nesting site as a group. It's pretty much exactly as they explained in the briefing yesterday. I see the SS Minnow over there in the corner. No wonder nobody could ever find them. They somehow drifted all the way from LA to Antarctica. At least they had a nice stone cottage to wait it out. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ampurp85, Big Tule and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 While we are waiting to hear if we'll land at West Point Island, here is the Day 3 Chronicle: 21 DEC - New Islands and West Point Islands.pdf SpeedNoodles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Oh my, very cool adventure, but way too many birds for my liking! If I was there, I would be the only one in the pics carrying an umbrella. I do not have a good track record with birds Ampurp85, Cactus527, twangster and 4 others 1 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Update: Looks like we are proceeding with the planned zodiac landing. WAAAYTOOO, Cactus527, Lovetocruise2002 and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 5 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Oh my, very cool adventure, but way too many birds for my liking! If I was there, I would be the only one in the pics carrying an umbrella. I do not have a good track record with birds I can't get ENOUGH birds! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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