Polar disappointments
‘Good Morning, everyone - Good Morning!’ Shelli said on the PA. ‘We are heading towards Brown Bluff - a place with millions and zillions of penguins! You are going to see more penguins than you can shake a stick at!’
There were indeed bluffs which were brown, and there were millions of penguins on them - but the captain kept the ship so far away that you could see the penguins only with the most powerful of binoculars! I used my entire 3000mm lens and then expanded the picture to make out the penguins.
Our hopes were high - but the waves were even higher!’ Shelli said to us. ‘It is not possible to attempt a landing here. Sorry.’
And so this excursion was also cancelled.
There were indeed bluffs which were brown, and there were millions of penguins on them - but the captain kept the ship so far away that you could see the penguins only with the most powerful of binoculars! I used my entire 3000mm lens and then expanded the picture to make out the penguins.
Our hopes were high - but the waves were even higher!’ Shelli said to us. ‘It is not possible to attempt a landing here. Sorry.’
And so this excursion was also cancelled.
The expedition staff consoled us by saying that such things happen - what to do?
‘Alas we are reminded of the nature of an expedition and that all our goals may not be reached. However, some goals, not even on our radar, may become possible! Travelling into the unknown adds another level of excitement to the journey!’
The ship promptly pulled up anchor and headed east towards the Weddell Sea.
There was brashy ice, bergy bits, growlers and icebergs the size of the ship all over the place.
‘Alas we are reminded of the nature of an expedition and that all our goals may not be reached. However, some goals, not even on our radar, may become possible! Travelling into the unknown adds another level of excitement to the journey!’
The ship promptly pulled up anchor and headed east towards the Weddell Sea.
There was brashy ice, bergy bits, growlers and icebergs the size of the ship all over the place.
‘Why don’t we all go up to the deck and enjoy the sight of all this glorious ice?’ Shelli said to us. ‘The wind has subsided on the lee of the peninsula and we will find blue skies and warmer temperatures.
And by the way - the evening excursion is also cancelled!’
‘What?!!’ the stunned passengers said. ‘Evening one also Cancelled? Why? The weather is fine!’
‘Nah! Can’t do it. The captain is saying that it is not safe. Toodle-oo!’
‘But - but…’
‘Bye now - be sure to attend the lecture in the auditorium - it’s about the different types of ice. It’s called ‘Ice Ice baby!’
‘But…but…’
And by the way - the evening excursion is also cancelled!’
‘What?!!’ the stunned passengers said. ‘Evening one also Cancelled? Why? The weather is fine!’
‘Nah! Can’t do it. The captain is saying that it is not safe. Toodle-oo!’
‘But - but…’
‘Bye now - be sure to attend the lecture in the auditorium - it’s about the different types of ice. It’s called ‘Ice Ice baby!’
‘But…but…’
Dinner was enjoyed during a beautiful sunset. The sun obviously did not set - we were in the land of eternal sunshine…but it went to the horizon before coming back up and the colours changed and became magical late at night! The golden colors gleamed through the curtains and reminded us of how lucky we are to be where we are. An evening walk on the deck was not to be missed.
What beauty! What a place! What a wonderful life!
What beauty! What a place! What a wonderful life!
