Humpback Whales appear beside the ship

We go ashore at Cuverville on New Years Day

BBQ on deck in the sunshine

We meet up with Le Boreal’s sister ship, L’Austral

Extreme sliding takes place at Neko Harbor

Le Boreal - January 01, 2012

1/1/2012

Cuverville Island/Neko Harbor, Antarctica  

Temperature: 42.8˚F (6˚C)

Wind speed: 1 knot

Cloud cover: 20%  

Precipitation: none  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After a bringing in the New Year with some magnificent celebrations last night we were all very pleased with our 0900 start.  Even with this chance for a bit of a lie in Le Boreal was still a ghost town when Jannie made his 15-minute call.

For those with enough energy to burn after our late night were able to join Naturalist Russ Manning for a hike to the top of Cuverville.  We had been told that the view was well worth the hike if we could manage, we sure weren't disappointed.  In front of Cuverville icebergs choked the entrance of the Errera Channel.  As far as the eye could see was ice-covered peak after ice-covered peak. Below we could see those who chose not to hike visiting the Gentoo Penguins and enjoying a quick zodiac tour through the bergs on their return to the ship.  The zodiacs weaving amongst the bergs aloud us to gain perspective on their size, it was staggering.

Arriving at Neko Harbor we were both filled with the anticipation and excitement of another landing on such a fabulous day as well as saddened by the fact it would be our final landing on this magical tour of the Southern Ocean. Peeling the layers as we walked we took the in the beauty surrounding us.  It rang so true of the quote we had heard, 'It is the only place on earth that can make you feel so alive and so insignificant all in the same breath'.  

As we sailed from Andvord Bay towards the open waters of the Drake Passage we were glued to the windows.  For most this would be our final glimpse of the Great White Continent.  It was our final landing but not the end of our voyage.  Two days were still to come as we crossed the Drake with fingers crossed for a calm sea!