Antarctica, A Whale Of A Presentation

 

From my welcoming on board the Akademik Ioffe, I have had a favorable impression of the Quark Expedition staff. As time goes on my first notion is further validated.

Interacting with them and being at the various presentations,  I sense their passion for their individual calling along with the joy they have of being here.

Attending an Antarctic Marine Biology presentation by Jimmy is no exception. From the Pacific Northwest, Jimmy annually tracks a pod of migrating whales some of whom he believes personally recognizes him.

His knowledge and enthusiasm about his passion clearly comes through as he talks about it.

 

 

Did you know NASA and other space programs use sperm whale oil in some of their equipment in space?

 

 

 

 

The oil has properties that can withstand various pressure differences something the sperm whale has to deal with as it dives to the depths of the ocean.

 

 

With a sense of humor,  Rasta Jimmy puts on:

A Whale Of A Presentation.

He even includes stuff about the dolphins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Whales,Dolphins,Quark Expedition,Sperm Whales

Antarctica, Zodiac Business Class

 

This morning my on going classified plan to arrive in the “Mud Room”  after the crowd is gone is about to pay dividends.  A zodiac final boarding announcement is being made as I am headed that way.

So far, I am the only one in the zodiac queue. This gives me an opportunity to chat it up with Emily another of the great Quark Expedition staff members.

Emily runs the on board gift shop but I make no promises to visit as I am not a NBS (Natural Born Shopper). She makes another final boarding announcement but the status quo remains.

 

 

Today, I am the sole passenger on the zodiac with Jimmy.

Jimmy is a  marine biologist with a specialty in whales.

 

 

 

 

Leaving the Ioffe, I can see some of the various ice formations that were talked about in the presentation that I attended last night.

 

 

 

As we race by kayakers enjoying a beautiful morning on the relatively calm seas, areas of “Blue Ice” can be seen along the shore line.

Along the way we pass small pieces of ice that have made their way to seas from the sounding frozen landscape. In some areas down here frozen sheets of ice can be found that are up to 30 miles long.

 

 

Just before our landing we stop at a group of zodiacs to pick up a few “riff raffs” that are anchored just of shore.

Dr Timor, the ship's doctor.

 

 

 

The awesome zodiac mechanic, from New York and a few others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Business Class ride ends as I am welcomed to our landing spot by Lynn our Expedition Leader.

 

 

 

 

Even without dinner, wine or a movie, I am one lucky passenger. This has been “The Best Business Class” ride I have ever taken.

 

 

Wait, is that a colony of Gentoo Penguins I see in the distance?

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Zodiacs,Nicholson Harbor,Neko Harbor,Akademik Ioffe,Blue Ice,Gentoo Penguins,Business Class,Quark Expedition

Antarctica, I Go Walking

 

 

While most of my fellow passengers have retired for the evening, I am having a Patsy Cline moment and go for a walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midnight View From The Akademik Ioffe Bridge

 

 

 

In stretching my Patsy Cline moment, it is well past midnight by the time I make my way to the bridge of the Akademik Ioffe. From earlier visits in the day, I have befriended a few of the officers on the bridge and they welcome my company.

 

 

Off in the distance,  I am told is another ship.

It is the first one we have seen since leaving the Beagle Channel four days ago.

 

 

 

From the signature on the Ioffe’s radar display, it is believed the ship is the National Geographic Explorer.

 

 

We have now traveled so far south than even at midnight there is a fair amount of light and a sliver of the fading sun can be seen over the horizon.

 

 

As we head towards West Antarctica, I am told we are in the Gerlache Strait between New Scotland Island and the Antarctic Continent.

Again, the experience of a life time continues even past midnight.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Akademik Ioffe,Patsy Cline,Gerlache Strait,National Geographic Explorer,New Scotland Island

Antarctica, Ice, Ice Baby

 

While sailing to our next destination that will have us navigating around icebergs, we get an opportunity to attend another informative lecture.

All right stop collaborate and listen ….

 

 

This time it is on ice.

Earth Ice, Ice Shelf, Ice Crystals, Icebergs and Glaciers.

 

 

 

 

Joining the lecture in progress, I am glad to see there is a comedian on board the ship. A question is presented by the lecturer which asks. Which is greater by mass all the life on earth or all the ice on earth?

The room bursts into laughter as the comedian responds, cows!

 

 

A Huge Glacier

 

 

Did you know 95% of the earth's ice is glacial or that some of the bases of the glaciers in Antarctica are over one hundred thousand years old?

I am looking forward to seeing tomorrow some of the things that are discussed in the presentation.

In particular “Blue Ice” which is formed over thousands of years when ice crystals interlock and there is no air spaces between them.

 

 

This trip is turning out not only to be fun but educational as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antartica,Blue Ice,Glaciers,Icebergs

Antarctica, Leaving Deception Island

 

Having completed a “True Polar Plunge”, I return to the Ioffe but not as fast as promised.

A long hot shower that involves continually drenching my feet with warm water and my mild fears of frostbite are starting to subside.

 

Dinner this evening is served buffet style but the highlight of it all is desert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get to have ice cream.

 

 

And seeing as I almost froze my toes off, I think I should get to eat all the ice cream in the world.

What do you think Lieutenant Dan?

 

 

At the ship’s reception desk, The Polar Plunge list is posted.

Here, those that have  taken the plunge check  their names on the list.

 

 

 

I feel honored to be on the list, having survived a chilling but fun and memorable experience.  From the check marks I can tell that almost 25% of the Ioffe passengers are nuts!

Besides taking the Polar Plunge, the one thing I will recall most about visiting Deception Island and landing on Whalers Bays is the wind.

 

 

While having a glass of  “fine imported” red wine, thanks to John my roommate from the UK, he tells me the winds are still blowing strong even as we sail away from Deception Island.

 

 

I am fascinated by this for two reasons. One, it seems ironic that Deception Island would be a safe harbor since we received little protection from the wind. Second, it leaves my mind to wonder how brutal the weather must be here during the dark days of winter.

Stepping outside into a passage way near our cabin, the wind is so strong that when I turn my back to it I am literally carried from the starboard (right-side) to the port (left-side) of the ship.

On the open seas Deception Island is fading in the background as the wind and waves produce an occasional giant spray off the bow of the ship. Having had my fill of wind for the day, I return inside to the comfort of the Akademik Ioffe.

In a few minutes, I will head down to the ship’s bar where I hope to win a few “Nil Hands” playing a game or two of Spades.

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Deception Island,Whalers Bay,Akademik Ioffee

Antarctica, Taking The True Polar Plunge

 

While there are many beers from around the world, we all know that there is only one King Of Beers, Budweiser. Quit laughing, I am serious. The same comparison can also be made in reference to Polar Plunges.

Although done annually in places like Minnesota, USA and Vancouver, B.C, there are only two regions in the world where one can experience the King Of Polar Plunges.

 

 

I happen to be in one of them, Antarctica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even with the sun shining, the weather seems even colder as the wind continues it's harassing ways. This scenario reminds me of a winter day in Minnesota where there is often clear blue skies but bitter cold temperatures. Something that becomes confusing to the mind if you are not use to it.

 

 

Walking along Whalers Bay, Peter and I discuss our individual strategy for the Polar Plunge.

So far, I am favoring his plan. “Get In, Get Out, Go Home!”

 

 

 

Arriving at the launch spot, others have already gathered for the plunge. The first plunger of our group is getting prepared as I review plunging instructions with Val, one of the expedition staff members.

 

 

A True Polar Plunger

 

 

 

Complimenting Val's instructions, with the Ioffe in the background, the first plunger is in the water, “Just like that!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter’s Polar Plunge

 

 

 

Peter makes his entry then returns victorious.

He vividly comments on the temperature of the water. “So, Cold!”

 

 

 

 

Since Peter is busy getting his body temperature back to normal, the plan for him to capture my plunge is not going to work. Fortunately, my Cabin 314 roommate, John is witnessing this almost insane spectacle and agrees to do the honors.

Sometimes it is interesting how the mind works. Even as the wind is howling around us with the temperature in the 30's, I am not cold as I strip down to my tropical swim trunks.

 

 

Ready to take the plunge, I pause a minute to remove my watch.

I know it is waterproof but I am not sure if it is polar-proof.

 

 

 

Then I am racing into the wind driven waves with no thoughts of how cold the water is at that moment. I dive in to the applaud of the Russian judges who  give me a 1.3 score.

 

 

 

Taking The True Polar Plunge

 

 

 

 

It is only on my rapid return to the shore that I realize, “The water is …F.. F…. Freezing.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using a towel to dry off does me no good, the wind now becomes my friend and does a better job.

 

 

 

 

Again, I do not have a sense of being cold but my feet are numb. I look down and although they have lost some color, I am thankful to still have toes.

 

 

Even with a 1.3 score, I feel like the King of The Polar Plunge, not bad for an island boy.

Yeah, Mon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Polar Plunge,Whalers Bay

Antarctica, Getting Dive Bombed

 

After a fruitless search for a blown away backpack cover, Peter and I are now out of time to explore Neptune's Window and begin walking back towards the shoreline.

 

A shrieking sounds from the sky and I quickly realize that we are being attacked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dive Bombing Bird

 

 

Looking up, a medium size  white bird is making diving bombing runs at my yellow covered head.

 

 

 

Then comes Peter’s turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Innocently we have walked near a nesting area and this bird is vehemently defending it's territory.

This incident exposes my naivety to life here. I think like most others, I am use to flying birds nesting in trees.  Ummm, but there are no trees here. So let’s see, 1 plus 1 really does not equal 3!

 

 

Ground Level Bird Nest

 

 

It would never have occurred to me to watch out for a bird nest on the ground. Another sin of nature committed here and I can think of only one way to cleanse our souls. Peter and I are now on our way to do so.

 

 

Antarctica, Peter, Peter …..

 

Lagging behind my friend Peter as we head towards Neptune's Window, I watch as the wind rips a waterproof protective cover off  his backpack.

 

 

 

 

 

Flying Waterproof Backpack Cover

 

 

This becomes an incident that we were cautioned about during our briefings on the Ioffe.

 

 

In order to preserve the beauty of this area we must be careful to not introduce any foreign items on to Antarctica.

 

 

 

 

Although now an unfortunate innocence situation, a gray nylon cover is racing across the continent in search of a new home where it is not welcomed.

Our attention is now turned to recovering it but we cannot keep up with the speed at which it is moving. It is blending well with the surrounding black and white terrain making our search very difficult .

 

 

Along with the cover's chameleon effect, the sun's blinding reflection off the snow covered hillside also hinders our efforts.

 

 

 

I see the cover blow around a small hill and this gives me a little hope that it will be slowed down as it will somewhat be sheltered from the full force of the wind. I am disappointed.

Our effort to find the cover becomes fruitless. I feel a sense of guilt and disappointment as I do not want to be a part of destroying or impacting the beauty that is here.

I hope nature will forgive our innocent mistake which unfortunately turns out to be the first of two that we will have made before the day is over.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Deception Island,Whalers Bay

Antarctica, Walking Around Whalers Bay

 

The wind here seems even stronger than on the ship as Peter and I stroll around the black volcanic surface of Whalers Bay.

 

 

Now somewhat in a valley, we are closer to the surrounding hills and that maybe a contributing factor.

 

 

 

 

We are told that in a few months this area will be covered with green plant life along with penguins that like to spend the spring time here. For now, there are only a few of them.

 

 

 

Chilin Penguin On Whalers Bay

 

 

 

Here, they are smart enough to stand with their backs to the wind or burrow into the ground for protection from it.

 

 

 

 

Even some birds are dug in and asleep with their heads turned backwards to guard against the unrelenting wind.

 

 

 

 

 

Skua

 

 

 

Meanwhile, a few skuas have gathered near pools of standing water where others are taking bird baths.

 

 

 

 

I imagine with the blowing wind the temperature is somewhere in the 30 degree or less range. However, I am quite comfortable thanks to the parka provided by Quark Expedition.

 

 

Along the shoreline,  I am reminded of the famous Bob Marley's song “Three Little Birds”.

 

 

 

 

However, the birds I am watching are sitting on crashing frigid waves and I don't think they are singing sweet songs and melodies.

I quietly wonder with a smile if there has ever been a Jamaican Antarctic Expedition Team. I know for a fact there has not been one from The Bahamas.

 

 

Scattered around this area of the bay are the decaying and fragile remains of the whaling industry.

 

 

 

We are cautioned to be careful and not to touch them while viewing them. It is amazing that some of the buildings were habitable given that the conditions here can become so cold and severe.

 

 

Old Whaling Boat

 

 

Next we head towards Neptune’s Window where we hope to get a glimpse of the actual Antarctica Continent which is about 19 miles away.

 

 

Neptune’s Window

 

 

 

 

 

Then something interesting happens. Peter, Peter …..

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Deception Island,Whaler's Bay,Neptune's Window,Three Little Birds,Bob Marley