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.