17 March Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Deception Island

Another beautiful day with a balmy 31F temperature and clear skies. We visited an abandoned whaling station and the site of the first fixed wing aircraft flight in Antarctica. The site bay is a caldera formed by a volcanic eruption. The most recent was in 1969. Karla went on a shore excursion, while I kayaked around the shoreline.

You need a good breakfast to kayak. Salmon with cream cheese.

The hanger

One of many abandoned buildings

One of our kayaks overturned and dumped its two oarsmen into the water. Their waterproof suits worked and because we were close to the shore all they had to do was stand-up. The kayaks are stable, but if both people lean to the same side—over she goes. No one saw exactly what happened, just heard the splash. The water is so clear you can easily see to the bottom, the various colored stones, bones, and even some metal wreckage. Unfortunately, none was visible to the camera.

I was fortunate to return from the ship in time to also go ashore. The kayak booties are not ideal for walking and your feet get cold even with two pairs of socks. The warm sand and water heated by the dormant volcano fixed that problem. The water was about hot-tub temperature, not painful, but I put my hands in cautiously.

Until a couple of days ago our usual practice was to keep the window curtains open. The sky, the ice an d the shoreline can change so suddenly you don’t want to miss anything. Yesterday we saw humpback whales spouting in the distance. However, when Zodiacs are approaching and departing the ships, curtains closed is the rule. I’m afraid we embarrassed a man changing clothes as we came back from a shore excursion.

Two very interesting lectures today. The first on sea life in the ocean around us and the second on Shackleton, the British explorer. The lectures are delivered either by one of the scientists on board or the on-board historian. They are not death-by-PowerPoint but deli

vered by dynamic speakers whose enthusiasm for the subject matter is readily apparent. That hasn’t always been the case on ocean cruises.

Dinner tonight was in the World Café, a buffet restaurant. The pictures speak for themselves. We did NOT get the tomahawk steaks, but I’m sure we will before the cruise is over. The Sushi Bar has a huge variety of sushi and California Rolls all prepared by the Sushi Chef working behind the display.

Tomorrow is a sea day. It will be nice to have a break from long underwear, boots, and parkas.

Lemon-drop martini and pina colada

Haven't tried the tomahawk steak yet