Today we were up by about 8 am so we had time for breakfast before heading out on a Zodiac to land again on the Antarctic continent, this time at Neko Harbour.

Once we got ashore we started a climb to the top of the glacier that overlooks the harbour. By the time we got to the top to take in the views we had just about overheated as a result of the number of layers of clothing we were wearing!

The ship, at Neko Harbour.
The ship, at Neko Harbour.
Andrea on the climb up the glacier.
Andrea on the climb up the glacier.
Andrea and our friend, David.
Andrea and our friend, David.
Andrea and Keith at the top of the glacier.
Andrea and Keith at the top of the glacier.
Keith and David at the top of the glacier.
Keith and David at the top of the glacier.

We relaxed at the top for a while before then beginning the descent down, which was probably harder work than going up. We then hopped on a Zodiac to get back to the ship.

Keith on the way down the glacier.
Keith on the way down the glacier.
Gentoo penguin.
Gentoo penguin.
Antarctic skua.
Antarctic skua.
Gentoo penguin.
Gentoo penguin.
Gentoo penguin.
Gentoo penguin.
Arriving back at the ship.
Arriving back at the ship.

When we got back to our room we were treated to a lovely display by a few Humpback whales outside our window so we spent some time on the balcony trying to get a few photos of them (but didn’t really succeed!). These whales don’t breach like some other types of whales so it’s pretty hard to get a good photo.

Humpback whale.
Humpback whale.

After our whale watching we headed downstairs to have some lunch.

In the afternoon the ship sailed to Paradise Bay and we landed at Almirante Brown Station, which is an Argentinian research station.

Scenery on the way to Paradise Bay.
Scenery on the way to Paradise Bay.

When we got to to Paradise Bay, another steep climb awaited but the reward was a fabulous view across the bay.

Almirante Brown Station.
Almirante Brown Station.
Andrea climbing the hill to get a view of Paradise Bay.
Andrea climbing the hill to get a view of Paradise Bay.
Looking back at the ship in Paradise Bay.
Looking back at the ship in Paradise Bay.

On the way back to the ship we went via the rocky coast, to look at more of the local birds.

A shag on a rock!
A shag on a rock!

And we also got up close in the Zodiac to some incredible ice formations on the way back.

Stunning ice formation.
Stunning ice formation.

By the time we got back to the ship it was time for dinner. We briefly debated heading out to one of the restaurants but we ended up calling our butler to arrange for dinner in our room. We had a very nice meal as we enjoyed the stunning scenery outside our window.

Antarctic scenery outside our window as we sat in our room and had dinner.
Antarctic scenery outside our window as we sat in our room and had dinner.

We even saw another ship go by while we were having dinner, which is somewhat of a rarity in this part of the world! This ship was the Nathaniel B. Palmer, an ice-breaking research vessel being used by the United States National Science Foundation for extended scientific missions in the Antarctic. It didn’t look quite as comfortable as our ship!

The Nathaniel B. Palmer research ship.
The Nathaniel B. Palmer research ship.

After dinner we headed to the observation deck on level five as we approached the Lemaire Channel, a very narrow channel between two steep cliff faces. The plan was to pass through the channel but it was blocked with heavy ice. We were able to sail up to the channel to have a look at it and it was very beautiful.

The Lemaire Channel.
The Lemaire Channel.
David and Keith, with the Lemaire Channel in the background.
David and Keith, with the Lemaire Channel in the background.

Once we had all taken plenty of pictures, the captain turned the ship around and we continued on our way via a slightly longer route.

We are currently bound for Spert Island, where we will spend the morning, and then we’re on to Mikkelson Harbour for the afternoon.