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I imagine if Willie Nelson had been on board the Akademik Ioffe he would have had another hit. This one centered around the certifiably insane “Polar Plungers” and I would have been more than happy to be his Quincy Jones.
They are making the most of their Antarctic experience and maybe proving their lack of sanity in the process.
From shrieks and shivering panting to back flips and underwater swimming, these crazy dare devils delight and entertain us.
Think of being in one of the coldest areas on the planet and what we are experiencing this afternoon is one of the last things you would think about.
Thanks to the hard work of the on board hotel staff, we are having an Outdoor Barbeque in Antarctica! And to literally top it all off our unofficial cruise director, Val, has laid down a challenge. We have to come up with the “coolest” hats we can for the event.
From a yellow submarine hat, to one that is made out of sea sick bags there is a lot of talent at 64 degrees south.
Four contestants end up in a crowd participation vote for a bottle of house. For our guests from Port Lockroy, who did take a bath today, The Penguin Man is a favorite but he is not able to muster a win.
There we are entertained by a fun magician.
A treat awaits as a new music beat permeates the air.
Thanks to the generosity of two fellow passengers, Carlton and Rose a few of us even get to take a stab at the art of magic. Our first, second and third attempt at it goes down real smooth.
Located on Goudier Island, visiting Port Lockroy gives a glimpse of daily living in Antarctica and a nonchalant welcome by the couple hundreds or so black and white locals.
About four months out of the year the island is also occupied by four to nine temporary volunteer locals.
Today, it is operated as a museum and spring time residence.
From here, The Antarctic Heritage Trust does work to clean up other former British locations that are an eye sore to the pristine area.
Being properly dressed I am not worried about freezing my tush off.
The Sheathbill is content to clean up the mess around here even if it involves stealing an egg or two in the process.
Inside the museum, I get a quick confirmation that all along my personal hygiene has been on the right track. Due to the lack of rainfall here along with the process for collecting water, in the 1960's it was not uncommon to wait 9 days to take a shower.
How about some sliced bacon in the can or tasty kidney pudding?
Some Heinz, coming right up!
Go ahead, take a nap.
A four month spring time visit would be more to my liking.
Although, I am told the showering cycle has been reduced to about four days. Maybe I can adjust.
Headed back to the Ioffe, I discover we are in for another pleasant surprise and the weather is nice enough that it might all work out just right.
Spring time on Jougla Point would make “The International Man Of Mystery” very proud as there is a whole lot of “shag” going on.
And who’s responsible for all this shagging? You guessed it, The Blue Eyed Shags.
With nests built on shared grounds, from a distance they can be easily be mistaken for gentoo penguins.
The Blue Eyed Shag is the only member of the Cormorant family that resides on the Antarctic continent proper as far south as 68 degrees.
Although they normally breed between August and October, here some late or second chance courtship is still going on in early December.
I don't think I'll be of much help to the police in solving these crimes as the participants all looked alike and fit the same bill.
“Yes, officer they were all dressed in black and white, about three foot tall and walked with a funny waddle.”
But can you blame them?
A short time after lunch we are boarding zodiacs for our afternoon outing. Groups of us will take turns visiting Port Lockroy and nearby Jougla Point on Goudier Island.
I spend the start of my time there with one of the expedition leaders, Damien, who has a wealth of information about the area.
Here there are several colonies of gentoo penguins, blue eyed shags and kelp gulls. They are busy with spring time activities which become very interesting to watch.
At one time, this area had an active whaling industry at Jougla Point.
Since boarding the Akademik Ioffe it has been a part of our breakfast, lunch or dinner routine to have some type of speech or demonstration from one of our expedition leaders.
We have a local visitor.
Niki, is a part of a group of volunteers with The Antarctic Heritage Trust that spends about four months out of the year living in Antarctica. At this point, I am envious.
In a few hours we will get to visit Niki's humble abode as we take a zodiac trip to Port Lockroy.
Although it is Spring in Antarctica not all areas of the continent have received the memo. We get first hand confirmation of this as our first zodiac landing of the day is canceled.
Not only is the sea ice a reminder of our current location but also the bitter cold howling winds. Even with the sun shining only a few of us brave being out on the deck of the Ioffe.
Only an occasional relief from the wind or by finding shelter can I get a glimpse of the scenery.
I think most of us our glad the zodiac landing has been canceled. It might have been quite miserably under these conditions.
Time to edit some photos, maybe.
Being on a cruise would hardly be the place one would think to discover suppressed talents or the lack thereof.
With support from a small crowd, “You Can Do It”, I rise to the task before me.
With encouragement from a small crowd, I rise to the task before me. I quickly get on the roll but despite the moral encouragement I begin to suck. In the end, I wasn't worth squat and come up short.
Nevertheless, I proudly represented the Great State of Florida, defended the Gator Nation and learned some important things about myself all while having fun!
After about two days of sailing from Miami, the Carnival Valor comes to a stop just offshore from George Town, Grand Cayman.
A tendering process puts us ashore where we discover most of the town is still asleep. There is a time difference between the ship's time and Cayman's time.
We have pre-arranged a trip to Stingray City with Captain Marvin and have arrived at the office about an hour too early.
I take the opportunity to walk around the “two block by two block” downtown and I learn a little bit about the island's history.
A nice beach with “tourist prices” although there are areas where you relax and enjoy free tropical breezes. Our visit there happens after our trip to Stingray City.
From near Tiki Beach at 7 Mile, we flag down one of the many mini buses headed back to town which turns out to be a nice local experience.
Most are failing trying to repeat the miracle so my idea is squashed.
Seeing local fishermen nearby arriving with the fresh catches of the day, I think I stand a better chance feeding thousands with a few small fish and bread.
Along the waterfront vendors are on “island time”setting up for the day as we walk by many empty stalls. On a nearby wall a few birds enjoy the meat of coconuts, no doubt left behind by naive island visitors.
Like true Islanders, birds know it's the best part of the coconut.
Sitting in the shade, we cool off with a cold local brew or two.
Being among the last to board the last tender back to the Valor with no worries, I feel reconnected to my island roots.
Thanks, Cayman!
