11 March 2022 Our First Approach To Land

Our dear sweet daughters reminded us that today’s Zodiac cruise did not count as reaching the Seventh Continent since we did not touch land. We will acknowledge that fact and will also stipulate that the trip planned for Damoy Point, Wiencke Island also falls short of the goal. We will get there in time.

The day started with gym, and a Q&A for those wanting to kayak. The concern is control of the kayaks and getting in and out, mostly out, of them and into the Zodiac pick-up boat in less than favorable conditions. It does require some upper body strength. Later we were asked to demonstrate our abilities in the ships hanger where all the boats are stored. Karla has no interest, but I passed so will go, weather permitting on 13 March.

We also attended a brief on what to expect for the next two days. There’s the plan, the weather forecast that supports the plan and an acknowledgement that what will really happen will probably be a lot different. We saw that later in the day when during our Zodiac cruise when a partly cloudy day turned to wind driven rain.

We usually take a cruise to see new places and learn about other cultures. The first part of this trip has a scientific learning curve to it. There is little entertainment. No dressing up for dinner. Many of the staff have backgrounds in volcanos, marine biology, ornithology, biology, polar science, etc.

I dislike skiing because of the weight of the clothes. But dressing for these excursions takes me about 30 minutes. Rick had some foresight and purchased items we both have used gladly. Key words being waterproof and insulated. The waterproof phone covers scored high praise from other passengers.

We went to a Cell Phone Photography class, but departed embarrassingly early. Our I-Phone 6s simply don’t have many of the capabilities described by the instructor. Additionally, there were a very large number of people who were asking very basic questions.

At 1445 we started getting dressed for our Zodiac cruise. Long underwear, pants, boot socks, a camisole for Karla, T-shirt for me, provided boots, water resistant pants, life preservers and parka, our gloves, hats, scarfs, plus. We were only a little late for our 1515 show time.

We only saw two seals, a leopard seal on an ice floe and another very camera shy one swimming that I failed to photograph. By the time I could frame him in the camera he’d be down and I’d get another seascape. Oh well.

Lined up ready to board Zodiacs

One of two submersibles being tested. They finally took passengers for the first time this season. We are on the list to go.

Our ZODIAK Captain with Viking Octantis Behind