Humpback Whales perform for us

Larry and Marco demonstrate the power of the ‘zodiac grip’

Bio-security boot cleaning above the Marina Deck

The young explorers make Christmas cookies

We circumnavigate Shag Rocks

Our Captain carefully maneuvers around a Southern Right Whale

Le Boreal - December 23, 2011

12/23/2011

Scotia Sea, on route to South Georgia  

Temperature: 45˚F (7˚C)

Wind speed:  15 knots

Cloud cover: 100%

Precipitation: none    

Sitting and enjoying that first, glorious cup of coffee, staring out the window and enjoying the conversation around the table, you could not imagine another day comparing to the excitement of yesterday.  The thrill we felt watching Fin Whales breach and the magic of Minke Whales dancing below the waters surface as we viewed them from the upper decks of Le Boreal.  Believing this however made it very apparent; we had never been to the Southern Ocean. And today would not disappoint.  

Like clock work it seemed our lecturers were doomed to be delayed.  Like Jason yesterday our Ornithologist Patricia Silva had barely begun when Humpback Whales threw a wrench into the day. Patricia would be able to finish her lecture later in the afternoon.  

Preparing ourselves to comply with the IAATO regulations of tourism in Antarctica we were once again interrupted, Shag Rocks and a Southern Right Whale.  With pleasure we accepted these interruptions to our day.  These were the things we had come to see, the things that only few had seen.  

With South Georgia over the horizon our excitement was next to impossible to contain.  We had been waiting for so long.  Early tomorrow morning we would arrive, South Georgia at last.