Blog 27th Dec.
We started the day under blue skies in a secluded cove of Port Lockroy, almost completely surrounded by glaciers, rocky shorelines and majestic mountains. The water was like glass, perfectly reflecting the sky and mountains, and we were serenaded over breakfast by the penguins and sea birds that populate the Port. After a hearty breakfast prepared by our wonderful chef Janey, we set out to explore Base A, today known better as the Penguin Post Office (one of the most remote mail stations in the world).
The history of this British Port spans more than a century and has supported explorers, government personnel, scientists and now volunteers preserving the three small buildings on the tiny island. The four-person team managing Base A today not only hosts thousands of tourists per year, but also looks after the hundreds of penguins that nest here annually.
After sending our postcards to family and friends that will receive them long after we return home, we spent the afternoon exploring penguin colonies, searching for seals on icebergs, and picking out the clearest pieces of floating ice for use in beverages of all types following dinner. The highlights of the day included Polar plunges by Kristin, Ron, Mak and Janey. Mak also formally gave out hand drawn citation patches for passengers displaying extraordinary courage in jumping in freezing water, helping out with scientific reporting to help NASA increase the accuracy of its’ ground surveys, and everyone that his pitched in to assist the crew in sailing and anchoring.
As we reach the halfway point in our journey, we are all incredibly grateful for the favorable weather and active wildlife so far – but also excited for the second half our voyage.
