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gentoo Penguins on the hill
We were the last group off to visit the Gentoo Colony at Danco Island. Early in the day we saw the Expedition Crew prepare the site. They brought over equipment and prepared the landing area and path, as we needed to stay a distance from the penguins. After breakfast we caught a very interesting lecture…
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Glorious Danco Island
I awakened at 6 to a Winter Wonderland. We are scheduled to visit Danco Island and the breeding Gentoo Penguin colony at 11. For now enjoy the early morning landscape photos plus one of an Antarctic tern.
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It’s All About the ice!
As the morning expedition came to a close, we couldn’t see the last adventurers, just a few hundred yards away due to the snow. I felt that our second expedition later in the day was probably going to be cancelled. Sure enough, the Captain said that the second outing was cancelled but they were working…
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Up, Up, Up!
Our 8:40 outing began with spectacular views surrounding the ship. After a quick breakfast, we climbed into the Zodiac for a short ride to shore. We had missed last nights briefing and when we saw our landing site, we had a great deal of trepidation. The path led up and up and up! Switchbacks to…
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Birthday and Penguins
The day started just like yesterday, a bit of birding on a noticeably colder and windier deck. A colleague fell as he stepped on a water slick that had iced over. At breakfast the waiter said “look outside”. And there was our first look at Antarctica! The ship continued to wend its way towards Half…
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Antarctica Here We Come!
Yesterday, after a tour of the National Park, we boarded the Roald Amundsen for our trip to Antarctica. We immediately had mandatory emergency drills, familiarized ourselves with the ship and enjoyed dinner as twilight descended. We explored this very modern ship and settled in for a mild to medium rolling sea as the Drake was…
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Ushuaia is a Very, Very far Place
Our flight was just over about one hour as we headed for the most Southern city in Argentina. Population: 8,000 permanent, about three times that in season (which just began in November). Our plan for today is a lot less hectic. We have a few hours to kill at our hillside hotel, then a boat…
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Mesmerizing Moreno and Captivating Condors
Our second attempt to travel SouthEast to El Calafate got off to a bad start as a 5AM pick-up turned into a 45 minute wait on the bus as several passengers were awakened to a much earlier departure than contemplated. Luckily we arrived at a less crowded airport and made our flight. The three hour…
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The Travel Agent Swings and Misses!
An early morning, up at 5:45, off at 6:30, airport at 7AM. Absolute bedlam! Thousands of people going to and fro, long lines, but our travel agent got us well positioned and half an hour later got us to the front of the line. The summer season is upon them and schools are out now,…
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Lights Out at the colon Theater
We booked our tour of the grand Colon theater two days ago, and now it was time to set out and see this magnificent building. Since we had a little time before the tour, we went, close by, to the jewelry district to buy a pair of earrings for Kathy. She had managed to leave…