Antarctic Cruise Day 35 / 40 - Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica - Chinstraps, and Gentoos, and seals, oh my!

Antarctic Cruise Day 35 / 40 - Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica - Heading back north

Trip day: 35 / 40

Port days: 16
Sea days: 18
Countries: 5
Continents: 4
Ports/Landings: 12

OK – I’m doing this because I’ve been asked this and answered it at least a dozen times so far on this cruise.

• I use a Sony RX10 IV camera with a built-in 24-600mm f4.0 zoom lens.
• I write my blog on a Windows laptop.

<done>

Welcome to the South Shetland Islands.

We are sort of on our way back north at this point.  We hit our most southern point in the cruise a couple days back in Paradise Bay where we were at latitude -64.833 or 64°50' S, or roughly 2/3 of the way from the equator to the south pole. We couldn't crack the Antarctic circle at 66°30′ S as there is too much ice this early in the season.  So now, we're north in the South Shetland Islands, about 75 miles north of the Antarctic peninsula. So where is this?

That's South America at the top and Antarctica at the bottom - that small red dot is Paradise Bay - our southernmost stop - the red rectangle is the Shetland Islands

This is the Shetland Islands - the red square is the general area where we are

This shows Half Moon Island as well as Livingston & Greenwich

And this is where we are, in the bay off Half Moon Island

Here's a look from the ship at our landing area for the day.

You can just make out the chinstrap penguins standing on top of the rock

Our landing zone in the distance

We hopped on our Zodiac and headed for the island. It was another wet landing, meaning you get out into the water.  Of course, it is shallow, and our waterproof boots did their job admirably.

Next up was a walk up the snowy bank to start seeing the vast number of chinstrap penguins that call this place home.

All those chinstraps are a teaser – more are coming

There were also a fair number of kelp gulls hanging around

Another Argentinean research base camp

The expedition team did a great job making where we could and could not go

That’s Livingston across the bay – we’ll be in there in the SOB later on

Yet another seal just laying there

It did wave at us

There was one more way off in the distance as well

One of our SOBs giving us a sneak peek and where our ride will take us

Arlona, leaving another angel behind

I know, you're getting bored with all this and want to see the chinstraps.  Wait no more!

This was a bit of a penguin highway from the top to the sea

Penguins always have the right of way

Look at them all lined up at the top

There was another colony off in the distance

I think this translated roughly to, ♫ O sole Mio ♫

The tenors joined in as well

The patrons were not impressed

When they close their eyes, only a small black line remains

You plop down right there – good job

Down by the landing area, there is an old wooden boat. Currently, it is almost completely buried in snow.

There is something strange about those penguins

They’re Gentoos!

We were surprised as we expected only chinstraps on this island

But…wait a minute – take another look

On the left…

Those are chinstraps – except…for that one on the far left – that’s a Gentoo – it looks like they must get along just fine

All too soon, our visit was over and it was time for our Zodiac ride back to the ship.  Our next activity was a Special Operations Boat (SOB) ride.

We waited out on the Finse Terrace for our ride to arrive.

Here it comes, now

Who is that on the boat?

It is the ship’s travel consultant, Fernando, living his best life!

We went to The Aula waiting area until we were called down to The Hangar where we boarded the SOB.  Then, it was time to go!  Today, in more open water, they were able to open it up a little more.  The pilot said he wouldn’t be able to hit top speed at 40+ knots, but we sure were zipping along for a bit.

We toured all around Half Moon Island.  Here are some of the sights along the way.

The back side of Half Moon Island

Look close on top of the rock

It is the chinstraps

We came upon a large group of curious Gentoos that put on quite a nice show for us - the pilot stopped so we could watch

The water is so clear, you can easily see them underwater

There are at least ten under the water here

We passed three lounging seals.

Was it waving at the gull?

We rounded the last corner and spotted Polaris

We lined up for the final approach to Polaris – we had to hold as the other SOB was backing out full of guests for the next tour

As we sailed, we were treated to a show from a pair of fin whales who swam in front of and around the ship for most of an hour.  It was too much fun to watch to go back to the room and get my camera.  I just enjoyed it.

We haven’t watched the daily briefing yet, so I don’t have the details for tomorrow.  All I know is that we're staying in this general area. You’ll just have to read the blog tomorrow to see what we wind up doing.