14th January - Up and Down Day

The early morning check of our location sees us stopped. Sun shining but lots of wind and a bit choppy. So next check has us moving again.Our destination in Paradise Bay, an area used by the whalers to run from the bad weather and sit out the storms. The whales are around as we see one breach. Entry is via a narrow passage and we are out of the wind. Another stunning scenery. Here we can paddle board, kayak, use the submersible and of course go exploring on the Zodiacs. No helicopters.


Humpback Whale



Kelp Gull

Weddell Seal

Gentoo penguin

Leopard Seal


Gentoo penguins


What a great Zodiac exploration morning. Now for the afternoon. The Captain has negotiated with the Science Station that as long as the helicopters fly away from the penguin colonies, they can fly. Yipppeee. I'm booked for the afternoon. We fly over the mountains to Flanders Bay where we were to stay originally and look at Glaciers, Ice Ponds and just great scenery.



Flanders Bay

Glacier

Ice Pond





Back on deck, we have another adventure waiting. We have a Submersible ride. So down we go about 90m and then we traverse a rock wall for approximately 50m. Amazing colours, vegetation and life in this very cold water.


Starfish

Sponge


Kelp


Coral


What a fantastic day. Late we had Orca sightings. They were playing around the boat, going from side to side, before disappearing into the sunset. What a fantastic day.
Orca






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