Linda, Passenger
Day 4
We woke up to the sound of the anchor being raised. It was 6:00 AM. We turned over for a little longer before breakfast. Once we had coffee, it became clear that we were not yet on our way to the next destination. There was an issue with the hydraulic system, causing the anchor to remain stuck. Jason, the engineer, had to get to work on it. It took quite a while before we could move on.
That day turned into a lazy one: waiting, reading, sleeping, playing a game, eating, and snacking. Luckily, Jason was a miracle worker and managed to fix the problem by midday, allowing us to head off. It was a bit of a journey to Toyn Harbour. Outside, it snowed, but the stunning scenery lost none of its beauty because of the weather.
It was Christmas Eve when we finally arrived, and we enjoyed another delicious feast. Dessert had to wait as we first embarked on a Zodiac tour to a nearby whaler wreck. Outside, two humpback whales were busy feeding.
One of the whales seemed unfazed by the small rubber boats, cheerfully swimming around and feasting on krill. The whale rolled elegantly onto its side and back again. Its fins gracefully rose into the air before its tail cut through the water, a striking contrast against the blue and white hues of a triangular iceberg. Luckily, the whale repeated this display a few more times, allowing Hugh to photograph the tail for identification. One of the zodiacs (and people on it) was even treated to a special show when the whale surfaced right next to the boat, its massive head breaking through the water before opening its jaw wide to engulf krill.
In one word: wow!
The journey ended with a tour along the wreck and spectacular ice formations, including an ice wall that could have been straight out of Game of Thrones. The interplay of blue, gray, and white created breathtaking depth and structure, a sight worth capturing. The vastness of the surroundings could not truly be experienced through the lens alone; it required wide-open eyes. Fingers were crossed that the photos would at least somewhat capture the feeling of the moment.
Merry Christmas!
Back on the ship, there was yet another moment of joy: homemade crème brûlée and glühwein. Live music from Peter on guitar and Beverly with her accompanying vocals made Christmas Eve complete. The atmosphere was warm and delightful, the perfect way to reflect on an extraordinary day.
