Live from the Wind(s) of Antarctica. Dec. 19, 2023.

[bsugar]

What shape is the wind in?  

[twangster]

We repositioned to see different areas of the colony.

 

 

All the while the busy penguins left to feed and returned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A small group made their up way an iceberg.

 

 

The ultimate game of King of the Hill.

 

 

Very good at climbing steep inclines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kxnhra]

We are on the Wind for the January 6 sailing and are packing now.  Can you give us an idea as to the typical dress at night?  Great photos looking forward to our cruise.

[twangster]

It's very interesting to watch these penguins as they prepare to jump in.  They thinlk about it brielfy and them just go for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming back onto land from the sea...

 

 

 

Once they stick their landing it's like they are glued to the slippery rock.

 

 

 

 

Time to feed!

 

 

[twangster]

 

 

 

High in the hills where the nests are they make their way up and down the steep rock faces all day long.

 

 

Now onto the next reason we came here... 

 

 

[twangster]

With very little coastline or a beach there isn't a lot of space to land.  Could you imagine spending four and half months living under the remnants of lifeboats?

 

This little spit of land is all there was.

 

 

Now there is a monument to the pilot of a Chilean Navy boat that led the fourth and finally successful attempt to rescue the men of the Endurance that were marooned here.

 

 

Luis Pardo Villalón was a pilot in the Chilean Navy.  His Captain refused the mission so Villalón gathered volunteers and set off to effect the rescue after three previous attempts by other resources had failed.

 

 

 

Some Elephant seals rest on the only resemblance of a beach in the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Anyone fancy a shag?

 

The Antarctic Shag.

 

 

Time to head back to the ship.

 

 

Stunning scenery.

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

33 minutes ago, bsugar said:

What shape is the wind in?  

 

I think it's in great shape for a ship this old.  It has been modernized with things like current wifi technology and USC outlets in the suites.

 

Sitting in the Dolce Vita bar as I type this it doesn't feel dated.

 

However I've not sailed a newer ship in the Silversea fleet so you might be better to ask in the main forum for input from others that have sailed more of the fleet. 

[twangster]

31 minutes ago, kxnhra said:

We are on the Wind for the January 6 sailing and are packing now.  Can you give us an idea as to the typical dress at night?  Great photos looking forward to our cruise.

 

Walking past La Dame the table that can be seen from the lobby typically has not been occupied with anyone wearing a jacket.  Most nights on the ship are labelled casual.  Even on the "Informal" night last night very few jackets were worn in The Restaurant.  

 

Expedition cruising is very different from Classic.  Typically this cruise has been smart casual by many, less so by a few.  

[twangster]

On the departure from Point Wild we had been informed we would sail through a whale hotspot.  They didn't lie.

 

I spent a lot of time up top until I was so cold I couldn't stay longer.  I've still need to go through those pictures.  

 

Coming soon...

[bsugar]

35 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

I think it's in great shape for a ship this old.  It has been modernized with things like current wifi technology and USC outlets in the suites.

 

Sitting in the Dolce Vita bar as I type this it doesn't feel dated.

 

However I've not sailed a newer ship in the Silversea fleet so you might be better to ask in the main forum for input from others that have sailed more of the fleet. 

 

[bsugar]

Thanks.  

[twangster]

Our zodiac ride this morning:

 

[twangster]

I received a phone call in my suite between stops.

 

Remember that silent auction for the South Georgia Heritage Trust?

 

I won... the most expensive bottle of whiskey I've ever purchased.

 

Buy hey, it's a for a great organization and a pretty cool bottle.

 

[twangster]

Here is a 360 photo from Point Wild.

 

Point Wild, Elephant Island 360 Photo

[lincslady]

Absolutely fabulous photos, twangster.  Those little chinstraps are so determined and never give up - what an example to the rest of us.  And your 360 photo makes it feel like being there with you all.

 

Thank you.

[CJL2]

15 hours ago, kxnhra said:

We are on the Wind for the January 6 sailing and are packing now.  Can you give us an idea as to the typical dress at night?  Great photos looking forward to our cruise.

I also spoke with SS about this, as we are traveling for a month and have no interest in bringing dinner jackets. SS said that dress codes are not enforced, even at La Dame and on formal nights. Just no jeans at the formal dinner. they said lots of people choose casual the whole trip, as it's an expedition cruise so it's a different crowd from normal upscale cruising. We are NOT bringing dinner jackets but will bring some pants that are not jeans. 

[Fletcher]

5 minutes ago, CJL2 said:

I also spoke with SS about this, as we are traveling for a month and have no interest in bringing dinner jackets. SS said that dress codes are not enforced, even at La Dame and on formal nights. Just no jeans at the formal dinner. they said lots of people choose casual the whole trip, as it's an expedition cruise so it's a different crowd from normal upscale cruising. We are NOT bringing dinner jackets but will bring some pants that are not jeans. 

There are no formal nights on expedition cruises.  

[twangster]

Having trouble uploading photos to CC at the moment.  Will update this thread later.

[CJL2]

4 minutes ago, Fletcher said:

There are no formal nights on expedition cruises.  

Actually, SS told me there are at least two on this cruise - Captain's dinner and one addiitonal.

[Tex1]

14 minutes ago, CJL2 said:

Actually, SS told me there are at least two on this cruise - Captain's dinner and one addiitonal.

Whoever you spoke to is wrong.  There are non on expedition cruises.

[CJL2]

7 minutes ago, Tex1 said:

Whoever you spoke to is wrong.  There are non on expedition cruises.

That's what I had thought. Ponant Antarctica was EXTREMELY casual. Very strange that SS explicitly gave me wrong info on the phone. Anyway, I'm very happy to hear that, and all good since I'm not bringing anything remotely formal.

[twangster]

Our New Year's Eve Gala is tonight and the dress code is... casual.

 

The Venetian Society gathering a few days had some formally dressed participants.

[Galenaforest]

Thanks again!! Happy New Year to you🎉🍾