Rewritten posts from Antarctica Exploration Days

 Crossing the Drake passage was calmer than normal according to our on board Antarctic Team. The ship headed into some of the bays and straights along the Antarctic tail.   I will post a photo of the map we were given 

The sea is like glass smooth and calm.  The sky is blue and the sun is out. We are able to even sit on the deck. It is comfortable because the ship is going so slowly although 32 degrees. 

We have seen some beautiful floating icebergs and wildlife including humpback whales, orcas, penguins.  The area is so white and serene is probably best to describe what we are seeing 

This afternoon the captain changed our course due to high winds predicted for tomorrow so we will explore a different part of Antarctica and the peninsula which is more north east

Day 2 of Antarctic exploration takes one area known as iceberg alley due to the copious amounts of floating icebergs. The weather is sunny but not as warm.  The on board team continues to rave about our luck with the great weather.   We are in the small bay the has the only full time settlement in Antarctica. There are about 80 buildings and families including some children live on site. This is an Argentinean science camp. Penguins and Orca whales are abundant in the area

Day 3 exploration. There was another change in course. We head further out to sea to get an up close and personal look at iceberg A23a.  This iceberg actually broke off from the continent.  It is currently the largest iceberg in the world about the size of New Jersey   The skies are cloudy and overcast. Missing sun already. 

We then double back to Elephant Island. This is where Ernest Shackleton an Irish explorer  who wanted to cross Antarctica   His ship the Endurance became trapped in the ice.  He and his crew survived on elephant island for several months and were eventually rescued.  The book Endurance is a great read and gives detailed account of what happened and the hardships the crew suffered 

Next stop Falkland Islands