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

[twangster]

Around 3pm we seemed to be steering away from the center of the channel towards land.

 

 

The entrance to the Neumayer Channel lay ahead.

 

 

Some calving action on the port side.

 

 

 

On both sides the sharp edges of glacier faces or those of glaciated snowfields suggested there had been recent action.  It was quite remarkable.

 

 

The Neumayer Channel.

 

[twangster]

I spotted a ship in the distance making the transit before us.

 

 

 Try as I might these photos are a pathetic attempt to illustrate the magnificence of Antarctica.

 

 

 

Emily our geologist was present to talk about the volcanic origins of the mountains around us.

 

 

 

[twangster]

Our escort was a final opportunity to say goodbye to the penguins of Antarctica.

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

On both sides the glacial faces were fascinating.

 

 

 

I spotted a diagram showing the ship's dimensions on a bridge wing.  It had been updated with the retrofit of the Silver Wind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Snow Patrol was performing on deck 9. (a lame reference to a Scottish rock band)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

This is a panoramic stitch of ten photos.  The texture and shading of the clouds will forever be burnt into my mind.  This picture does a poor job representing the magic of the scene before us.

 

 

 

 

A small Argentinian research station near where an Aurora Expeditions ship was putting out its kayakers. 

 

 

The end is near.  The end of the Neumayer Channel that is.

 

 

Then on queue right where we had been told to expect them, the whales began to appear.

 

[drron29]

I don't know they don't breed them as tough as they used to. Here is me aboard what is now the National Geographic Orion when she was in Antarctica in January 2011.

 

Coming back from Macquarie Island to New Zealand we ran into a storm. Waves were 15 metres with occasional ones to 18 metres - 49 -59 feet. To make it a little more interesting the stabilisers were knocked out for an hour or two. We were strapped into bed. Only 3 passengers made it to breakfast the next day. Myself, Rojaan and 1 other.

And your Captain wants to miss the storm!

[twangster]

Whale sightings were frequent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Chilean naval ship.

 

 

 

I've submitted these photos to the Happy Whale project.

 

https://happywhale.com/

 

Perhaps it will help to track the migration path of these magnificent creatures.

 

 

 

Each fluke is unique but other characteristics of the hump and other areas are also unique to each individual whale. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4 by twangster

[twangster]

 

 

 

As we left the channel the bay was littered with icebergs.

 

 

[twangster]

This pair stuck close to each other. 

 

 

Earlier today Andrew presented an enrichment talk about Humpback whales.  He mentioned that often when you see a pair of whales with one larger than the other staying close to each other it may be a mother with a calf.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not certain that is the case with these two but it makes for a nice story so I'm going with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Enough about whales!  

 

I've refrained from posting more whale pictures but rest assured there were many more sightings.

 

The coastline appeared to be one very long glacial face birthing icebergs hourly.

 

 

 

This recently calved growler was finding its equilibrium rolling before our eyes.

 

 

 

 

So many interesting icebergs.

 

 

 

The bridge team brought us closer for a better look.

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

The wind was howling and it was getting difficult to take photos but dressed for the conditions it wasn't cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Here are some pictures from my 360 camera during the Neumayer Channel transit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4 by twangster

[twangster]

The Silver Wind in The Neumayer Channel in 360.

 

Silver Wind in the Neumayer Channel in 360 - Midship

 

Silver Wind in the Neumayer Channel in 360 - Forward

[twangster]

Incidentally my 360 camera discovered two more Starlink antennas in the forward area above the Panorama Lounge.

 

That makes at least three Starlink systems on board with a theoretical aggregate bandwidth of 1.5Gbps for the ship.  

[twangster]

Our final daily recap and briefing was held this evening.  Among a number of topics Sara reminded us again about the IAATO Antarctic Ambassador Expedition Challenge. 

 

 

The guests that completed the challenge on board were called on stage and presented with certificates.

 

You can also complete the challenge on the IAATO website.

 

Just before dinner I captured our position and track through the Neumayer Channel.

 

 

 

At 21:45 it was the crew talent show.  

 

 

Amazing talent among the crew.  Impressive.

 

 

 

Just before bed it was one last position report now that we have made the turn North.

 

 

Ready or not, Drake Passage here we come.

 

 

[twangster]

Day Fifteen - The Drake Passage

 

 Position report:

 

 

 

Balcony observations:

 

 

 

[twangster]

Day 15 Chronicle:

 

4 JAN - At Sea.pdf

[twangster]

Down for breakfast in The Restaurant I had the venue to myself so an opportunity for some photos.

 

 

 

Which window seat shall I pick?

 

[Kauaijim]

Great stuff looks like Drake lake so a quiet 2 days ahead? 

[twangster]

1 hour ago, drron29 said:

And your Captain wants to miss the storm!

 

I was secretly hoping we would just go for it.  Having said I loved the Neumayer Channel.

 

I am doing the Drake au natural.  No medication for me.

[twangster]

1 minute ago, Kauaijim said:

Great stuff looks like Drake lake so a quiet 2 days ahead? 

 

Relatively speaking it's no worse than what we experienced in the Scotia Sea earlier in the voyage, so far.

 

There is some motion to the ship.  I was using the grab handles to shower this morning.  I was also walking like a drunkard on the way to breakfast and I didn't drink that much last night.

 

I'm enjoying it.

[twangster]

Waiting for me after breakfast:

 

 

Departure information:

 

[twangster]

Captain's noon address just now.

 

Seas at 3m are expected to remain until 1am at which point they will improve.  In the Captain's words it's a relatively good day in the Drake.

 

I'm kind of disappointed.  I guess I'll have to come back to experience the real Drake Passage.

 

Live from the Drake Passage aboard the Silver Wind.

 

Edited January 4 by twangster

[twangster]

Next cruise to have 245 guests.  This sailing had 229.  Maximum capacity was stated to be 277.