LIVE! HAL Oosterdam 1/7-1/29 South America & Antarctica—Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

40 minutes ago, caneable said:

Btw, Charlotte Bay looks great.

 

 

Yes, one of my favorite scenic spots of the cruise.  OK I’m heading down for a nap so I’m well rested when we get to Deception Island later!

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, whogo said:

Naturalists on our Seabourn Antarctica cruise had Swarovski available. I was impressed at how clear the image was compared to my Canon binoculars. Swarovski were for sale on the ship, I never checked the price.

 Even 20 years ago, my cost for a large purchase, would have been close to CAN $2,000, so they aren't cheap.

[Haljo1935]

On 1/18/2024 at 10:04 AM, TravelBluebird said:

WOW penguins on an iceburg!

 

Just floated past my balcony; nearly vaulted over the bed to get my camera 😂

 

I think this is one of the best things I have seen in my entire life.

Such a cool experience and great picture! You have some great pictures (this for sure being one) that would look good printed on metal or glass then arranged as a collage. I use Fracture - they do a fabulous job & send discount codes.

I L🧡VE this picture! It's like the penguins are relocating, lol.

Edited January 19 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

On 1/18/2024 at 10:51 AM, TravelBluebird said:

Oh I almost forgot! There were penguins frolicking in the water today!   Could actually see them on the bow cam when we were in the room…I caught a few coming by starboard side after that. This is my favorite one, mid jump!

 

 

Awe - like a Penguin Breach 🐧 

[Haljo1935]

21 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

I don't know what is up with CC but I have stopped getting notifications of new posts on ALL the reviews I am following.

 

I have checked and I am still signed up as "instant notification"....very strange.

Same - noticed it yesterday when it was mentioned on a couple other Lives. CC kept being not available at times and I thought that may have impacted the notifications. 🤷‍♀️

[Hogladyrider]

31 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Same - noticed it yesterday when it was mentioned on a couple other Lives. CC kept being not available at times and I thought that may have impacted the notifications. 🤷‍♀️

When the issue was finally resolved my e mail in box exploded with double and triple notifications....sigh, but better than zero notifications.  Today is better for sure.

[NorbertsNiece]

Charlotte Bay 

 

 

[Torquer]

@TravelBluebirdSince you have a good Nikon camera, let me ask you this question.  On warm weather cruises, I often have a problem with my lens fogging when I have it in the air conditioned cabin for a while and then take it out on the balcony.  Have you had problem, I guess it would be in the reverse direction, coming into the warm cabin from the cold outside?  The temperature differential is much larger in Antarctica, but on the other hand the humidity is probably less.  Just want to know what to expect and how much lens paper I might need.

[RuthC]

3 minutes ago, Torquer said:

On warm weather cruises, I often have a problem with my lens fogging when I have it in the air conditioned cabin for a while and then take it out on the balcony. 

Have you tried storing the lens in a plastic bag, tightly closed? Bring it outside still in the bag, and leave it that way for a little while. 
The condensation should land on the bag that way, and not the lens. After the temperature of the bag/lens should have changed to the outside temperature, then you can remove the lens from the bag. 

[TiogaCruiser]

7 hours ago, caneable said:

Way to go! Every second counts. One thing I’ve been wondering is whether they give out any maps of the areas you cover. I’ve downloaded a few off Pinterest but don’t really want to print one out unless I have to
Steve

Here’s one that is really nice of Tierra Del fuego 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1879568969?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
 

I got one for Antarctica but I’m not seeing it in my Amazon account now.

 

Not the one I have but this looks cool 

https://www.amazon.com/Ushuaia-Antarctica-Drake-Passage-Voyage/dp/1879568934/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?crid=1H4B3F4KTRSVA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i5MGX5GcH_LVG1ZD1R1yutwer9lw3569rx1ClKGj_bRuNZAngKMO5Ew0Gug4Drf7ppaL3okb9UonYMTDjAZQemJEbqBWnAPRzzstJLQAadROnIP6ZIt-OawRhHX_gsWbyFE5QMwrTVIjytBSk8YpgbKCjCkOc59SeTVknA0_IvUfVhr1X3Lk8JFJYBmOeOqhUdkWBwnXOSxUMwwSBYms8w.RPujdRO48K9gyMV6IcQE7o_ZgHate5KbnOCX23z-SiM&dib_tag=se&keywords=antarctica+map&qid=1705712301&sprefix=antarctica+map%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-20

 

Edited January 20 by TiogaCruiser

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, Torquer said:

@TravelBluebirdSince you have a good Nikon camera, let me ask you this question.  On warm weather cruises, I often have a problem with my lens fogging when I have it in the air conditioned cabin for a while and then take it out on the balcony.  Have you had problem, I guess it would be in the reverse direction, coming into the warm cabin from the cold outside?  The temperature differential is much larger in Antarctica, but on the other hand the humidity is probably less.  Just want to know what to expect and how much lens paper I might need.

 

The lack of humidity has REALLY helped with lens fogging. There has been some, but nowhere near the amount I had in, say, Costa Rica.  The air is extremely dry here.

[TravelBluebird]

I honestly didn’t think ANYTHING could be better than the penguins on the iceburg//ice floe, and the gentoo penguin rookery at Cuverville Island, but I was wrong. 

 

Deception Island was INCREDIBLE. We got there at 7:30pm after dinner. It was heavily snowing with very limited visibility.  I was worried we wouldn’t be able to see anything.  Somehow, within a half hour, the snow stopped and the visibility cleared.

 

The island is the caldera of an active volcano. It is also home to 100,000 breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins.  

 

The island was beautiful and so interesting with its volcanic features, and penguins everywhere—on the rocks and in the water. And, another ice floe with penguins! Bigger floe, more penguins, right near the island!

 

The captain did an incredible job of getting us close to the island safely.

 

Here are some of the images; I also got some incredible video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20 by TravelBluebird

[Haljo1935]

Yep, your pictures just keep getting more amazing! When you're off this ship, I can hear you talking about your adventures like the grandparents showing off the grandkids - only these ARE great and everyone  WILL want to see and hear 😊

[Alphen]

7 hours ago, RuthC said:

Have you tried storing the lens in a plastic bag, tightly closed? Bring it outside still in the bag, and leave it that way for a little while. 
The condensation should land on the bag that way, and not the lens. After the temperature of the bag/lens should have changed to the outside temperature, then you can remove the lens from the bag. 

Excellent tip, thanks, not only for cold areas, but also getting from AC ship inside, to hot and humid outside, never thought of that!

[tjcox9]

18 hours ago, whogo said:

Naturalists on our Seabourn Antarctica cruise had Swarovski available. I was impressed at how clear the image was compared to my Canon binoculars. Swarovski were for sale on the ship, I never checked the price.

Now on the new Seabourn expedition ships, each cabin has a pair of Swarovski binocs for use during the voyage. Of course, they are also more than happy to sell them to you!

[TravelBluebird]

Slept I till 8!  Elephant Island will be in sight in distance around 11.  Scenic cruising at 1.  Fin  whales have been spotted in the area.

 

Russ is doing the polar plunge at 11!  His cold 

 

Dinner last night was in MDR—we shared a table with a lovely couple from Canada.  We ate early so we’d be ready for our late arrival at Deception Island.

 

We did our laundry back this morning—super stuffed, $35.  Coffee and a bite at Ludo—always so crowded.  We go eat by Lido pool

 

Quick blow up detailing penguins from yesterday 

 

 

[billco]

5 hours ago, Alphen said:

Excellent tip, thanks, not only for cold areas, but also getting from AC ship inside, to hot and humid outside, never thought of that!

Just to be on the safe side I bought a Neewer USB Lens Heater for my telescope.

Edited January 20 by billco

[TravelBluebird]

was going to say that Russ’ cold is over and done with. YAY!

 

We are in our room watching the latest lecture (see below).   And looking for fin whales. It’s lightly snowing.

 

Had a $5 martini sample sizer before dinner; the great bartender made me my fav chocolate one even though it was not on the mini martini menu.

 

Dinner photos below; I had the beetroot cured salmon and the Penne with Italian sausage, with the Brazo de Mercedes for dessert (very sweet!). Russ had the beef tataki and the Boneless Beef Short Rib Stroganoff. The Lemon Torte which our dining companion had looked excellent. Food continues to be outstanding this cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Russ decided to NOT do the polar plunge.  I think that was wise given he just got over the cold.

 

Lots of people did it though! They said the pool water was warm; getting OUT of the pool was freezing!

 

Grabbed some french fries on Lido then headed outdoors as we passed by Elephant Island—was a smidge of blue sky for about 5 minutes.

 

Then we had whales and penguins all over the place!  Lots of spouts; fin whales, humpbacks, and even one sperm whale. I didn’t get great photos as many were a bit far off and they were not diving (so no whale tails) but what a moment!

 

Did get lots of images of the penguins swimming; will see later what turned out.

We are on our way to Wild point now where the memorial to the Chilean naval officer that rescued the Shackleton expedition on Elephant Island is—we are back to fog and heavy overcast and only about 6 brave souls left on the bow…we are in the room and will wait a bit longer before venturing out.

 

We are predicted to have Beaufort 7 winds today and 8 tomorrow, with 12 foot swells on the way to the Falkland Islands—captain said to hold on!

[NorbertsNiece]

You can see why it's called Elephant Island 

 

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Another perfect afternoon in Antarctica, at Elephant Island.

 

The weather broke just as we got to the side of the island with Port Wild (does the captain have weather magic? As soon as we left, grey and dreary with heavy mist. The weather for photography was the best of the entire trip for Antarctica—actually got some blue ocean and a bit of blue sky!

 

I saw the monument to Captain Lous Pardo at Port Wild (triangle on the “beacH’ area of Port Wild, right near the seals and penguins), and again Penguins all over the rocks! Also fur seals.  Part of a glacier calved, but I was on the wrong side of the bow and only heard the tremendous noise it made.

 

I went up to the front on 6 for last views as we say goodbye to Antarctica and head for the Falkland Islands and South America.  Just a perfect 4 days; exceeded all my expectations!

 

Here are some images from Elephant Island; just my iphone snapshots. I also have Nikon photos and lots of video to sort through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Here’s some from the Nikon; had to compress them quite a bit to upload to Cruise Critic so I’ve lost lots of detail and resolution.

 

First image you can see the memorial—its a triangle with a bust of Captain Louis Pardo. And some seals!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

We are going to try an early dinner today; Beef Wellington is on the menu, one of our favorite dishes!

 

I missed the ABCs of Antarctica at 2pm—would have loved to have seen it, but I was out on the bow.

 

After dinner, going to see The Step One Dance Company:  In Tandem.  We really enjoyed the first dance show.

 

Then..maybe casino? I’m footloose and fancy free tomorrow with our sea day; don’t have to wake up early again till the Falklands!  Normally I’d probably be trying to upload a video, but the internet has been to spotty for that..I’m trying to just download a bit of music for a short video of the Penguins floating by Deception Island, and even that is stalling out.

 

Ah well; guess I’ll just have to enjoy the cruise instead!  In any event, for those of you looking forward to video, I have religiously taped my vlogs every 2-3 days on board, (plus a ton of video) and will upload them, hopefully some when we are closer to South America with better internet, and if not, when I return home.  

[TravelBluebird]

Step One Dance Company understandably cancelled due to the sea swells. Replaced with the illusionist. I feel the same way about magicians as i do about clowns—no thank you!

We are gently rocking—walking in a straight line is quite difficult.

 

I am sitting in the elevator bank on my floor because the internet is better, trying to upload a YouTube Short which is less than one minute long. It is taking about 1 hour 😱

 

Dinner was delightful…had the aforementioned Beef Wellington and a delicious salmon cake. Russ decided on the halibut fish and chips. We shared a vanilla ice cream sundae.  

 

We roamed about the ship for awhile…went to the shops, picked up some more photos in the photo gallery for our folder (we’ve already paid for a package, now just have to select the photos), and went up to the Antarctica Exploration Center to look at the wind and wave reports and the Q and As that people have been asking (and having answered) all week.

 

After my video uploads, I think I’ll hit the casino for awhile then read. Reading is a luxury to me; I never have enough time to read books!  

 

I’ve included the wind and waves overview for tomorrow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20 by TravelBluebird

[Hogladyrider]

@TravelBluebird...simply breathtaking photos!