Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[NorbertsNiece]

A very bumpy ride video here

 

Gates are opened by the lead driver, our driver shuts them

behind us 

 

We arrive at Volunteer Point and have to disinfect our footwear. The occasional penguin is loitering in the distance.

 

We then get to be quite close!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

8 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I use an iPhone when cruising.  First I select “add files” and select all the photos I want to post.  Then I “insert” the 1st picture and hit return twice before I insert my next picture.  That adds the space without going back to edit.  Maybe that will work for you too.

 

I thank you for this blog and your wonderful photos.  I know it takes a lot of time.  

You are way more organised than me! I'd mess up big time .... been there done that lol

[NorbertsNiece]

I tried to share this last night but was too tired to figure out why it wouldn't load. I'm achy today from the hours in the jeep.

 

The nesting penguins are encircled by white rocks which we humans may not cross.

 

The chicks are brown balls of fluff! They are curious and while we've 

been told to not approach us they are not similarly advised. The girl was so absorbed in her selfie stick she failed to notice the babe approaching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Am headed to the beach. Sand whipped up by the incredibly strong wind. More humans than penguins.

 

Soooo cold and windy. Hats, scarves, gloves and thermals so recommended!

 

Beach video here

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Hogladyrider]

WOW what great photos!  What amazing memories!

[NorbertsNiece]

Nyree has provided sandwiches and snacks including Penguin bars!!

 

The drive back as exciting, bleak and formidable as the drive out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Back in Stanley we are taken on a drive around the town..

 

I take a brief walkabout. 

Christ Church Cathedral is the southernmost Anglican Cathedral in the world 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[perrysburg]

44 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Am headed to the beach. Sand whipped up by the incredibly strong wind. More humans than penguins.

 

Soooo cold and windy. Hats, scarves, gloves and thermals so recommended!

 

Beach video here

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you for the GORGEOUS photos and the warning about the cold bitter winds! 

[Ellencruise]

1 hour ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Continuing yesterday's posts. Thanks for your patience.

 

Accessing the tender was chaotic. Too many independent travellers for the space allocated. Little organisation. 

 

The ride from Stanley to Volunteer Point took over 2 hours. We were joined by a younger couple. Our driver, Simon, was a 5th generation Falkland Islander. He was 4 when the invasion occured and remembered his family being moved to a place of safety.

 

We drove on tarmac, gravel and then for the most part off road. The landscape is bleak, very rough terrain. Many ponds amongst the peat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes it is a very rough 2 hours out to V Point and again to get back to ship.

[NorbertsNiece]

Some of Geoff's pics.

Back to the ship.

 

We were 3 hours late sailing away. The logistics of taking a sick crew member ashore took time to arrange with the shore and local hospital health care. We heard today he's doing fine. The Hamburg left before us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 9 Sunday Christmas Eve at sea.

 

Good afternoon (!) and thanks for following.

 

Pics from this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Some slides from this morning's Captain's talk.

 

A23A is the world's largest iceberg; it broke off from Antarctica in 1986 and almost immediately got stuck after a deep section of it grounded on the seafloor. Recently, it became dislodged and started drifting again.

 

Followed by some 'fatherly' advice here

 

 

 

Where Shackleton landed 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper charts 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Just discovered the Captain's address from this morning on the TV.

 

Dressy night tonight. Here's tonight's MDR menu followed by The Pinnacle Restaurant which is where we're eating

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 24, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[billco]

Thanks for post and photos of your excursion to Volunteer Point. As a result we cancelled our excursion and booked an excursion to Bluff Cove instead.

[whogo]

1 hour ago, billco said:

Thanks for post and photos of your excursion to Volunteer Point. As a result we cancelled our excursion and booked an excursion to Bluff Cove instead.

I think I liked Bluff Cove better than Volunteer Point, the penguins were more active. In 2011 the road to Bluff Cove was non-existant and there was only one pair of king penguins with a chick. The ladies serving tea at Bluff Cove were a delight, must be even better with more king penguins and a road.

[NorbertsNiece]

I attended a talk this morning detailing in depth how the scientists live at the various stations around Antarctica. 56 nations signed the treaty keeping the land neutral and 55 have a presence there in 70 permanent bases with populations of up to 1200 in peak season. Each station has its own unique design, with a variety of colors and styles of architecture represented, including eco-friendly designs to minimize environmental impact. I found the talk fascinating and took many, many pictures of their build, design, purpose and how they actually get there and installed. I just have to figure out a way to share them easily 

 

Please be aware that wifi is going to be unpredictable over the next few days: I will post whenever I can

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Elephant Island, Antarctica, is named after the elephant seals that make their home there (as well as for its elephant-like shape). The island is located 150 miles off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands. 

 

It became a refuge for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s crew in 1916 after the destruction of their ship, the HMS Endurance, in the ice-covered Weddell Sea.The loss of that ship and the ultimate rescue of Shackleton and his men are among the reasons Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917 occupies its special place in polar history.

[Hogladyrider]

@NorbertsNiece....Merry Christmas...so enjoying following your adventures!

Susan

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 10 Christmas Day

Monday at sea approaching Elephant Island.

 

Wishing you all season's greetings and happy holidays! Thanks for following xxx

 

Almost 0600 and the sun is high in the sky. We are down to 9 knots being wary of whales.

 

 

 

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Edited December 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Deck 4 bow is open

My phone now thinks it's 2307 not 0707

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The door at the end of our corridor is open! There is commentary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The captain announced that a UFO had been sighted..... then subsequently confirmed it to be santa!!

 

 

 

I really hadn't realised there were so many 0 - 17 year olds on board!

[NorbertsNiece]

Our anticipated route through Antarctica 

 

 

 

 

 

Satellite image

Edited December 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Astrid61]

21 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Some of Geoff's pics.

Back to the ship.

 

We were 3 hours late sailing away. The logistics of taking a sick crew member ashore took time to arrange with the shore and local hospital health care. We heard today he's doing fine. The Hamburg left before us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello there!!
Thanks very much for your pictures and story.
Because I'm doing this cruise at the end of January, I'm very happy to follow you!
I have a few questions.

Is it handy to have pesos in Argentina or is it possible to go around with USD??
Is it handy to have some UK pounds going to the Falklands?
Is there an USB port in the cabin and if so, where are they?
 

[Sea42]

@NorbertsNiece Merry Christmas! 🎄I am enjoying your posts so much while I wait for our sailing in 2025!

Can you tell me about how long you were at Volunteer Point before the HAL excursion people arrived? Or did you think they were already there when you got there? Have you talked with anyone who went with HAL?

I have signed up with HAL to use our excursion credit as it doesn't appear to be much difference in private versus HAL, that I can see, for Volunteer Point. From what I've read the total length of time of both are the same, as are the type of vehicles being used. But I am wondering if the time at Volunteer Point is significantly different.

Any information on this that you can share would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[NorbertsNiece]

Loving the questions!!

 

@Astrid61 it's very possible to use USD only in the 2 ports we have visited. Geoff changed some to pesos to use for postcards. He left some as a tip in our hotel room for the staff.

 

Sterling is much preferred in the Falklands; the new polymer notes please.

 

USB points in the cabin abound. Both sides of the bed have one each and there's more on the counter under the mirror along with traditional sockets.

 

@Sea42 there were many cars at VP when we got there. They may have had a head start but they were gone on their return before us so swings and roundabouts.

 

I wish I could access my cloud for pics from my previous visit. Feb 2017. Was a glorious day, barely a breeze. I would so go again. If the Falkland Islands were more accessible I'd spend longer there!

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by NorbertsNiece