The passage from Ushuaia to the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Anrarctica Peninsula is about 600 miles. The Corinthinan II travels at about 14 knots (16 mph). We made such good time on the Drake Lake that we were treated to an extra landing on Aitcho Island this evening when we arrived at our destination. We were scheduled for 8 landings, including one on the peninsula itself... weather permitting, as we were constantly reminded. One previous trip had such bad weather that all landings had been canceled due to weather. Antarctica, a desert actually, is not only the coldest place on the planet, but also the windiest. Jan and I like to think we have good weather karma, as we are fortunate in our travels to almost always have perfect weather. Carlos had told us that we all needed to think positive about the weather. We ended up getting all 8 scheduled landings, as well as the bonus landing on Aitcho Island.
The Aitcho Islands (‘Aitcho’ standing for ‘H.O.’ i.e. ‘Hydrographic Office’) are a group of minor islands on the west side of the north entrance to English Strait separating Greenwich Island and Robert Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, which are situated between Dee Island to the south and Table Island to the north. The group is separated from Dee Island and Sierra Island to the southwest by Villalón Passage (62°24′48.3″S 59°46′12.3″W). The area was visited by early 19th century sealers operating from nearby Clothier Harbour. During the austral summer the islands are often visited by Antarctic cruise ships with tourists who land to watch wildlife.
For our landings, we 'suited up' in our warm clothes and boarded Zodiacs from the rear of the ship using a strict protocol so we didn't end up in the frigid water. Our rubber boots were kept in lockers and had to be cleaned and sterilized following each landing to prevent tracking foreign plant and animal life into this pristine environment. When we reached shore in the Zodiacs, we disembarked over the side in several inches of water since there are obviously no docks or ports here. Here we are all ready for our first adventure ashore...
A feeling we will never forget!
The penguins have not learned to fear man here in this protected environment. We literally walked among them, treading lightly and not engaging them... though they were often curious and came right up to us, even pecking at us or walking between our legs.
Called the White Continent for obvious reasons, the countless shades and hues of whites and blues and grays belie the title. One of the first artists to come here and try to capture the beauty on canvas had brought only white and black paints with him. On his return, he brought every color EXCEPT white!
Jan and I tried to do a hot tub tonight, but the wind was blowing so hard and, with the rocking of the ship, the tub was only half full and not very warm. Somehow, though, it didn't ruin our first day in this wonderland!
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