Reminiscent of World Traveller Jan 26th 2023 cruise

[rloke]

The expedition team...

[Bella0714]

Jean-Roch was our expedition leader on the February 27 sailing. I thought he was great. One of the most memorable mornings was when we Zodiac-cruised in what he called a graveyard of icebergs while he provided commentary. We thought the expedition team, which included many of the people you had, was superb. I loved how they stationed members at different areas of the landing sites to give mini lectures and answer questions.

[rloke]

2 hours ago, Bella0714 said:

Jean-Roch was our expedition leader on the February 27 sailing. I thought he was great. One of the most memorable mornings was when we Zodiac-cruised in what he called a graveyard of icebergs while he provided commentary. We thought the expedition team, which included many of the people you had, was superb. I loved how they stationed members at different areas of the landing sites to give mini lectures and answer questions.

 

Absolutely. The expedition team works really hard to ensure we experience as much of the wonders of Antarctica as possible.

 

 

[rloke]

Arrived at Yankee Harbor, Greenwich Island on January 28th around 3:15pm. Temperature was around 1°-2°C (34°-36°F) and it was raining lightly.

 

We were in group D. The fourth group of the day and therefore there will be a bit of a wait before we get to go ashore.

 

Cruise director Michael finally came on the PA to announce that they were ready for group D at around 6pm. While we were lining up to get on the zodiac, the expedition team announced that we could no longer get ashore because the landing site had been blocked by an accumulation of brash ice. We were going to get a zodiac cruise instead.

 

Got a few photos of some icebergs, penguins, petrels and fur seals.

Some Gentoo penguins by the beach.

Quite a number of chicks monitored by a couple of adults only...

Antarctic fur seals

Some petrels

 

[rloke]

A few more photos can be found at https://extremelyshortandsimple.blogspot.com

[rloke]

We were at Cierva Cove on January 29th in the morning. Temperature was again around 1°-2°C (34°-36°F).

 

We were the third group as the group ordering was rotated each day (i.e. the first group out the day before would be the last group out, we were the fourth group out the day before, so we were now the third). So no leisurely lounging around, we were out in the zodiac by around 9:10am. This is a zodiac cruise as there were no sites suitable for a landing. There were a number of icebergs in the cove and lots of smaller platforms where the Gentoo penguins gathered.

 

Some Gentoos were brave enough to take a dive too...

 

Around the cove where there was less snow covering, there were small colonies of Chinstrap penguins as well. Alas, we did not have enough time to explore those areas. We did see some swimming by on our way back to the ship though...

[ilv4cruising]

On 3/19/2023 at 3:43 PM, rloke said:

It all started with the charter flight with Aerolinas Argentina. Was scheduled for 10:40am but was delayed for close to a couple hours...finally boarded and settled in by 12:40ish. Was so excited that I couldn't manage a steady shot from the front of the plane...

Plane was actually nice, new and clean.

A simple lunch with ham and cheese croissant was provided. As is typical with Argentina bakery, I guess, the croissant was slightly sweetened.

 

We were on your cruise as well.  In fact we are 2 rows behind you on the plane :).  Love your pictures;.  Hope all is well.

[rloke]

1 hour ago, ilv4cruising said:

We were on your cruise as well.  In fact we are 2 rows behind you on the plane :).  Love your pictures;.  Hope all is well.

Hope you had a smooth limo ride back home from YYZ…

[ilv4cruising]

1 hour ago, rloke said:

Hope you had a smooth limo ride back home from YYZ…

 

On 11/27/2022 at 9:52 AM, kml246 said:

Just book this. We were on the January World Navigator Antarctica expedition cruise that was canceled 45 minutes before getting on the plane in Orlando. Just decided to try it again this year. Look forward to seeing you all on board.

 

Kevin and Nan

 

 

1 hour ago, rloke said:

Hope you had a smooth limo ride back home from YYZ…

It was great thanks. I hope your trip home was good

[rloke]

4 minutes ago, ilv4cruising said:

 

 

It was great thanks. I hope your trip home was good

It could have been smoother..the UP train was late due to maintenance. And then the train broke down. Had to change train on the opposite side of the platform. Took almost 1.5 hours to get to Union which is usually a quick 10-15 ride. But other than that, trip home was good…😉

[ilv4cruising]

1 hour ago, rloke said:

It could have been smoother..the UP train was late due to maintenance. And then the train broke down. Had to change train on the opposite side of the platform. Took almost 1.5 hours to get to Union which is usually a quick 10-15 ride. But other than that, trip home was good…😉

Wow. For a fairly new line it seems to have lots of issues. Glad the rest of the trip home was good. 

[rloke]

The landing site for the afternoon was Portal Point. Temperature was again around 1°-2°C (34°-36°F) and it was snowing a bit.

 

This was our first continental landing.

As can be seen above, from the zodiac landing point (middle left), there were two hiking paths. One to the left of the landing site, one to the right. Both were short but quite intense due to the steepness of the slope.

 

Upon getting off the zodiac, we were told that there were some seals on the right hiking path. On our way there, we saw Mats from the expedition team walking back to the landing site with his long-lensed camera in hand. We asked him if he was able to capture some great shots but he disappointedly told us that the seals had left the area. Nevertheless, we saw some gulls and skuas.

 

The path on the left would lead us to the top of the hill, where on a non snowy day, would be the perfect spot to take a picture or a selfie with the ship anchored in the background. Alas, the weather didn't cooperate as the ship was barely visible.

 

If we were allowed to hike further forward and go downhill towards the sea, there was also a colony of Chinstrap penguins there. Too bad we weren't allowed to do so.

 

But luckily, while waiting for our zodiac ride back, three Chinstraps decided to come visit us instead.

 

 

 

 

[binky&jane]

On 3/19/2023 at 7:14 PM, northwoods2 said:

I would love to hear more about your trip.  We are doing a 11 night in December

We were on the World Traveller, February 15, 2023 - 12 night expedition. It was INCREDIBLE! Best advice, take a good camera or video camera, but put it down frequently to just enjoy the moment!

 

If you have any specific questions, let us now.

 

Corey & Karen

[rloke]

We were at George's Point on January 30th in the morning. Temperature was again around 1°-2°C (34°-36°F) and it was snowing a bit again.

 

The hike was relatively easy and short. We passed by several rookeries along the path. At the end of the path, there was an additional steeper climb up a slope where there were an additional rookery. This additional path was capacity controlled and only a few at a time were allowed to climb up. Sure hoped our shipmates respected the restricted nature of this and acted accordingly by not lingering too long at the top.

 

Some portraits...

 

Mostly Gentoos here, but there were some Chinstraps at the top of the hill...

 

Penguin always has the right of way...

 

Cameras attached to the pole and tripod at the edge to get a rough estimation of the size of the colony at this location...

 

Penguin highway commute...

 

 

Nest maintenence perhaps...

 

 

 

[rloke]

A few more photos and videos can be found at https://extremelyshortandsimple.blogspot.com/2023/02/atlas-world-traveller-antarctica-cruise_8.html

[Mrs f.]

rloke....your pictures and explanations are fantastic.  Was looking only for the European offerings but this made me think that perhaps we should consider it.  

[rloke]

6 hours ago, Mrs f. said:

rloke....your pictures and explanations are fantastic.  Was looking only for the European offerings but this made me think that perhaps we should consider it.  

We do absolutely count ourselves lucky to have had this opportunity to explore this part of the world.

[rloke]

Our afternoon landing was at Danco Island. Snow had finally stopped falling.

This was a substantial hike. The zodiac landing point was to the right of the above photo. Should had taken a panoramic photo to include the landing point as my lens was not wide enough to capture the whole scene ...The hike to the first rookery was about a 10 minute stroll. The expedition team member there, I believe it was Shelby, mentioned that we were a quarter of the way. Yikes, we better hustle...but took a few moments to take in the scenery and savour the moment; and some photo ops...

 

Took another 5 minutes to get to the second rookery on the far left. Expedition team member who was stationed there, I believe it was Vivel, said that we were almost at the halfway point. So we had already burned 15-20 minutes. We decided that we would not be able to hike to the very top of the hill (upper far right in the first photo above), savour the moments and take photos and be back on time. So we just lingered around and breathed in the fantastic Penguin perfume and enjoy their waddling company...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rloke]

We repositioned a couple miles north of Danco Island so that the adventurous folks can go camping at Kerr Point (located on the east side of Ronge Island). We overnighted here as well as we can't just leave the campers behind....maybe we could but I don't get to make these decisions...

 

The campers and their chaperones setting up the tents...

 

[ilv4cruising]

@rloke Did you happen to get a link from Atlas with the pictures of our trip taken by the Expedition leaders?  I never got one but contacted Atlas and they just sent it.  Just wanted to let you know.

 

 

[rloke]

1 hour ago, ilv4cruising said:

@rloke Did you happen to get a link from Atlas with the pictures of our trip taken by the Expedition leaders?  I never got one but contacted Atlas and they just sent it.  Just wanted to let you know.

 

 

Thanks for the heads-up. Will give them a shout…

[rloke]

There were no zodiac operations in the morning of January 31st as we were still positioned off Ronge Island.

 

The captain took us on a leisurely sail towards our afternoon landing site, Neko Harbor which was not that far away.

 

Enroute, some Gentoo penguins provided great company...

 

 

 

 

[rloke]

Errata on temperature...rechecked my logs...

 

Yankee Harbour was actually 4°-5°C (39°-41°F).

Portal Point was 2°-3°C (36°-37°F).

[rloke]

We arrived at Neko Harbour at around 2pm on January 31st. It was around -1°C (30°F) and snowing on and off...

 

The hike was an easy loop around a small hill that seemingly intersected with a number of penguin highways; and a number of penguins would actually venture on the path that we were taking. So needed to be a bit careful here and be aware to attempt to maintain the distance as required by the IAATO.

 

Some landscapes of the Penguin rookeries...

 

The glacier here was calving quite mightily and thunderous roars could be heard every so often...a big piece of ice/snow just detached in the middle of the photo below...

 

 

[rloke]

There were also a number of Weddell seals relaxing by the beach...ironically named after the guy that almost caused their extinction.

 

And baby and mother Weddell seal enjoying some quiet time out on an ice floe...

 

Zodiac approaching piqued the baby's interest, the mom couldn't be bothered...

 

What is this commotion?

 

Oh just big green penguins, nothing special...back to sleep...