Can you think of a better way to get woken up than by news of a humpback whale at the front of your vessel? It was a glorious sight as the animal, while waking us with his presence, continued to log in a restful state at the surface. Periodically he would blow and give us great views of his blowholes with the jet of air and water vapor rising above in a beautiful and characteristic heart-shape.
Once we had enjoyed our sumptuous breakfast we had the opportunity to both head ashore at Pleneau Island and also take a Zodiac ride. The shore landing was filled with excellent and immersive sights, sounds, and smells of the gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags sharing the colony.
The Zodiac ride took us through the “Iceberg Graveyard,” but this turned out to be full of life in the form of numerous crabeater seals, hauled out on the floes. The grandeur of the icebergs themselves, in their infinite variety of forms, was enough to set the cameras clicking. Some of us were lucky to gain superb views of minke whales travelling through the area, as well as the penguins and the shags bathing and preening in the shallow water just below the tide.
During lunch we cruised through the picturesque Lemaire Channel, heading towards the afternoon destination of Paradise Harbour. We were treated to absolute pristine calm conditions in this perfectly named location. The views were simply beyond beautiful. We headed back out in the Zodiacs for a scenic feast amongst the ice and a highlight for all was encountering a leopard seal hauled out on one of the bergs.
Back on board, we also enjoyed a viewing of the film “Plunge of the Penguins” produced by Andrew Marshall.
After a special Asado dinner, we were invited back up to the lounge to enjoy the sounds of the “Spice Boys,” comprised of some talented crew members. It was a splendid way to cap off another glorious day in this icebound wonderland.
