Day 18. Part 2

Day 18. Iguazu Falls and last entry for this adventure

This whole time in South America and Antarctica we had amazingly beautiful weather. So only is proper to have a little precipitation on our last days. So not only did we oooh and aaah at the hundreds of Falls, we were sprinkle with some liquid sunshine. Yesterday we went to the Brazilian side of the Falls. Today, we explored the Argentinian side. Both are amazing views of this natural wonder. The afternoon a few opted for the boat ride ... on the river ... under the Falls. Only able to give you a verbal description, no photos, who could open their eyes let alone get a camera out of the provided dry bags. The boat ride was a thrill. Never been so wet in my life. Gallons of water coming down on you. Next time, if there is one, will bring my snorkel mask. Had water down my rain jacket sleeved, down the back and front. Unbelievable. When we returned to the hotel, first stop was the hot tub. It was heavenly. Now to get everything dried out, packed up and head for home. 3 flights including a connection in Atlanta. Wish us luck we get home Christmas morning. Thanks for traveling with me. Merry Christmas.

Day 17. Iguazu part 2

Day 17. Part 3 of this adventure— Iguazu Falls

Well, we learned today that the Christmas rush does not only happen in the USA. Holy cats the airports and stores were just jammed. Unbelievable. This is a country that does not use amazon or similar way of shopping. BA streets were just teeming and then there was the airports. Oh don't get me started... Well, am sure you all have been in the frenzy at one point in your life. We successfully flew from BA to Iguazu. About 2 hours behind schedule. It was a rush to get to the Brazilian boarder, change buses (must be on a Brazilian bus while in Brazil, get through 2 security points, Argentina and Brazil, cross the Iguazu river and enter the national park on the Brazilian side of the river. Whew... before 5:00. We made it by 15 minutes. Spent 2.5 hours in Brazil then retraced our path back to Argentina to our hotel for our last 2 nights of this adventure. We all had to apply for and obtain Brazilian visas... for 2.5 hours....what a racket .... The first look at the Falls was beyond belief. Take a look at the pics above.

Day 15 & 16. Random thoughts.

What can one do to while away the rocking and rolling hours but to muse a plethora of random thoughts. Read on and hope you will be amused.

* Antarctica! Why Antarctica? Why not? Grateful to be one of about .03% of the world population to visit this white wilderness.

* chairs are all chained to the floor. Hum...

* watching people attempt to walk a straight line. It ain't happening.

* mastering stairs. Good thing there are reachable handles of both sides. Elevators are shut off while in Drake Shaker.

* donning just about every piece of clothing when getting off the ship. Who can move?!

* mastering getting into and out of the knee high boots. Much appreciation to our human boot jacks!

* just when we mastered the mustering procedure to get on and off the zodiacs, it is over. The procedure went as follows: 4 groups on board. Rotation as to the order. Don your base layer, pants and shirt, rain pants, parka, headband, balaclava, walking pole, sock liners, thermal socks, glove liners, water proof gloves, dry bag, backpack, camera and spare battery, cell phone, a smile on your face and adventure in your heart. Meet in discovery lounge, turn your assigned # on the tote board. Out the door in groups of 10, the boat fairies helped you get your shoes off and your boots on. Each cabin has its one boot cubby. Note to self, rain pants go on the outside of boot. Queue up again then down the steps you go to zodiac deck. Step in sanitizer and on to the raft you go. Returning, reverse the process except add a power wash to clean the penguin goo goo off. Eeuu

* the dread of the cacophony of coughing when all 4 groups are together

* entertainment of watching fellow passengers' peculiar behaviors. Or something along the lines of entertaining

* the shower dance - bouncing around from wall to wall then trying to control the constant changing water temps.

* observing your cabin mate go into a total body spaz when noticing the hanging towel monkeys over her shoulder. We are still laughing.

* constant supply of bottled water.. who can keep up. Certainly not ones bladder....

* enjoying the talents of our sole musician on board. He can play and sing just about any song. He, among many of the crew, seem to pop up just about anywhere doing a number of tasks. Interesting...

* moreover the awe and wonderment to have had a chance to step foot on this fascinating and massive continent. Truly white wilderness, where no human has trod.


Sent from my iPad

Day 14 part 4

Day 14 parting shots part 3

Day 14 parting shots part 2

Day 14 Antarctica! Parting shots

Today, sadly, our last day in this most alluring remote area of our planet. The morning landing was after threading this ship through a small collapsed section of an active volcanic crater, Deception Island. The last eruption was in 1974. Whalers beach has quite a history. In 1911, a man named Maars established a whale processing plant. This was in full operation until 1933, when the market for whale products dropped, and it closed down. During this time, literally thousands of whales were harvested. Severely decimating whale populations to which they have not yet recovered. Another reason for the shuttering of this plant was the invention of ships designed to do the processing work. Therefore no need to haul the whale anywhere. We landed on the beach created by volcanic activity and in our view, the remaining buildings, boilers, and tanks giving evidence of this island's past. After 1933, the buildings were converted to a British research station which was fulling functional until the last volcanic eruption which took out most of the buildings and cemetery in the 70's. The staff came up with the idea to do a polar plunge. Oh ya, like right. The water was a balmy 35 degrees and you had to walk in. Again, like no way. Surprisingly, a number of people and staff actually took the plunge! Holy goose bumps Batman! The plungers had priority on the zodiacs for the ride back to the ship. For good reason.... ;). Fortunately we were able to do an afternoon landing in Half Moon Island. It was teeming of chin strap penguin, and one macaroni. So cool!! They look like their are smiling when you know they are not. It was a bit bittersweet, this our last time to standing in the ground of this remote uninhabited area of the world. Words can barely express the profoundness to just be physically able to experience the awe of this white wilderness. Thank you for traveling along with us. Now for 2 days crossing the Drake (shake) passage. And it is living up to its representation. Stay tuned, more adventure in the near future.

Day 13 Antarctica pics 3

Day 13. Antarctica pics 2

Day 13. Antarctica. More of the Goudier Strait

If the weather was not beautiful yesterday, today hit it out if the park. Not a cloud in the sky! Boy howdy have we been unusually lucky with the weather. So easy to get sun burned, even with sun screen. Note to self to be more diligent in applying the stuff..... Also note the hats and sunglasses in today's pics. Funny, the gentoos do not seem to mind.... in yesterday's photo there was a pic looking down on a few buildings. That is Pork Lockroy. That was our first stop today. It is a British historic Antarctic Survey research station museum that is staffed for the 4 month of summer in this part of the world. This year by women. How cool is that! It is home to a massive amount of Gentoo penguin colonies. We had the chance to use their post office and go shopping. Their have quite an assortment of Antarctica stuff. A few items are going home to MN. On our way back to the ship, spotted a leopard seal. Very cool. Late in the afternoon, our second landing was on Cuverville Island. Guess what we found, yup, more Gentoos, about 4800 breeding pairs. They are quite prolific. Primarily due to their ability to adapt to our changing environment. Enjoy more views of this adventure.

Day 12 Antarctica photos

Day 12 Antarctica! Part 2 photos