Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[NorbertsNiece]

Cuverville Island or Île de Cavelier de Cuverville is a dark, rocky island lying in Errera Channel between Arctowski Peninsula and the northern part of Rongé Island, off the west coast of Graham Land. Penguins were sighted apparently.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the cabin. Commentary, "Whale on the port bow!" so I was out there like a shot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

@g-murd at the pier there's a gift shop / tourist information. There should be taxi numbers there..... I know I saw the info just didn't get a pic.

[NorbertsNiece]

Currently heading to the Gerlache Strait or de Gerlache Strait or Détroit de la Belgica for the night; it's a channel/strait separating the Palmer Archipelago from the Antarctic Peninsula. The Belgian Antarctic Expedition, under Lt. Adrien de Gerlache, explored the strait in January and February 1898, naming it for the expedition ship Belgica

 

 

 

[0106]

1 minute ago, NorbertsNiece said:

The Belgian Antarctic Expedition, under Lt. Adrien de Gerlache, explored the strait in January and February 1898, naming it for the expedition ship Belgica

I just finished this excellent book about the Belgica’s voyage.  They over wintered in the ice 17 years before Shackleton on the Endurance.

[0106]

@g-murdAre you going in February of 2024 or 2025?  You posted on the 2025 Roll Call.    It may be too early to book excursions for 2025.  Keep checking back on the HAL site.  The private tours are about half the price. I would definitely make a reservation prior to arrival to be sure you don’t miss the penguins.🐧 

[NorbertsNiece]

Jennifer, the Group and Events Co-ordinator just phoned. She has received consent to speak to me from Head Office and what would I like to know. I gave an example of the kind of questions and ship access I've been offered in previous blogs. She will be getting back to me.

[billco]

5 hours ago, 0106 said:

Thank you.  Hoping for another (less expensive) offer for an upsell to a Signature Suite so I would now accept a port side cabin too.

We just accepted an upsell offer to a port side Signature Suite. 

[cccole]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

I just finished this excellent book about the Belgica’s voyage.  They over wintered in the ice 17 years before Shackleton on the Endurance.

The book Endurance was in my husband's stocking on Christmas morning and I have ordered this book for p/u today.  Thank you.  AND, thank you to NorbertsNiece for the fabulous photos and posts.  Cherie

[CNSJ]

3 minutes ago, cccole said:

I just finished this excellent book about the Belgica’s voyage.  They over wintered in the ice 17 years before Shackleton on the Endurance.

I guess Shackleton didn't read this book before he set off in Endurance.

[g-murd]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

@g-murdAre you going in February of 2024 or 2025?  You posted on the 2025 Roll Call.    It may be too early to book excursions for 2025.  Keep checking back on the HAL site.  The private tours are about half the price. I would definitely make a reservation prior to arrival to be sure you don’t miss the penguins.🐧 2024  I'm on HAL's waiting list

 

[g-murd]

2 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

@g-murd at the pier there's a gift shop / tourist information. There should be taxi numbers there..... I know I saw the info just didn't get a pic.

thanks

[TravelBluebird]

Catching up with your thread tonight—have had a full house of guests for Christmas including my MIL who has Alzheimer’s and my daughter from Japan—finally got a minute to myself!

 

Really loving your in-depth report and all the photos from Antarctica!  After my MIL leaves, I’ll finally get a chance to start packing this weekend! Can’t believe I leave for Chile a week from tomorrow.

[Astrid61]

11 hours ago, g-murd said:

 

If you are on the waiting list, maybe you can try to book privately?
This is one of the compagnies at the Falklands: https://adventurefalklands.com/

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by Astrid61

[NorbertsNiece]

Definitive response for starboard or port for this cruise.

 

Port.

 

 

My opinion.

 

Port 

 

Pics to follow

[Astrid61]

19 hours ago, g-murd said:

I'm on Feb 20 cruise.  Unable to get any tour at Port Stanley.  Please comment about availability of taxis, buses etc, at port. Thanks.  I'm enjoying your posts.

Hello, 
Maybe you have luck with one of these:
https://adventurefalklands.com/ or https://www.falklandislands.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-information/estancia-excursions-p674761
Good luck!

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 13 29th December 

Last Antarctic day

 

Wow. This has definitely been the highlight of my time in the Antarctic  

 

I woke at some crazy hour and grabbed our location and course.

 

 

 

 

 

[TiogaCruiser]

You have had some amazing weather. Thanks for sharing. 
 

When I went in January 2013 we had heavy fog every morning and heavy clouds when it all lifted. But our wildlife sightings were off the charts: hundreds of whales, thousands of penguins. A colleague went 6 years and a month later and saw a handful of whales and penguins.

[TravelBluebird]

3 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Definitive response for starboard or port for this cruise.

 

Port.

 

 

My opinion.

 

Port 

 

Pics to follow

 

Everyone on my sailing wanted Port (even though in the opposite direction). I received an upgrade offer to a balcony (which we took!) but the only port side room was a mobility access room and I just don’t like to take those since I don’t need it right now (I have traveled when I’ve needed such a room before due to bad RA flare ups, and haven’t been able to get them). So we took a Starboard balcony.

[g-murd]

5 hours ago, Astrid61 said:

If you are on the waiting list, maybe you can try to book privately?
This is one of the compagnies at the Falklands: https://adventurefalklands.com/

 

they are also full

[NorbertsNiece]

6 minutes ago, g-murd said:

they are also full

Email : nyree@estancia-excursions.com

 

Say you read Linda's blog and review on TripAdvisor. See if that helps. 

[g-murd]

Thanks. This gives me some hope.

[NorbertsNiece]

I head out to open deck. The Lemaire Channel ahead is becoming ice blocked so we will be turning round to take an alternate course. Am seeking penguins. They are tiny little black spots on the ice making their way to their nesting areas. You can see the paths they have made

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Lemaire Channel is a strait between Kyiv Peninsula in the mainland's Graham Land and Booth Island. Nicknamed "Kodak Gap" by some, it is one of the top tourist destinations in Antarctica; steep cliffs hem in the iceberg-filled passage, which is 11 km (6.8 mi) long and just 1,600 metres (1,700 yd) wide at its narrowest point.

 

It was first seen by the German expedition of 1873-74, but not traversed until December 1898, when the 'Belgica' of the Belgian Antarctic Expedition passed through. Expedition leader Adrien de Gerlache named it for Charles Lemaire (1863-1925), a Belgian explorer of the Congo.

 

Remember this for later ok 😉

 

Took this video from my balcony.

[NorbertsNiece]

From the TV. Rather rushed. As homage to Captain Kevin's Belgian ancestor (hinted to previously) a special dispensation has been allowed to lower the Dutch flag 🇳🇱 on the bow and replace it, temporarily, for the Belgian one 🇧🇪 😃

 

Video here 

[bcummin]

The Lemaire Channel is majestic.  So glad that you get to see it.  Not everyone does.  Your photos and videos bring back great memories.  Thank you for bringing us along.

Barbara

Edited December 28, 2023 by bcummin