Paradise Harbor
Trip Start
Feb 03, 2006
1
11
59
Trip End
May 09, 2006
Paradise Harbor,
Antarctica
Friday, February 10, 2006
MILES: flying 8517, bus 22, taxi 33, walking 12, ship 866, Zodiac boat 6 total: 9456
Coordinates: 64d 49.53m S, 62d 52.31mW
Approximately 30 mile trip from last stop.
A little more about the ship I am traveling on , the Marco Polo. Keep in mind I've never been on a cruise ship before as I make these comments. I am only going by what I have heard from others. This ship is much smaller than some of the larger Carnival or Princess cruise ships, with a capacity of 750 passengers as opposed to upwards of 2,000. It may be about the same size as the ships that travel up to Alaska. The craft is very soft and comfortable inside, with an elegant main dining room, a comfortable lounge/show room, a casual restaurant, multiple bars, and the like. But the exterior is a bit more adventurous. There are cranes set up to move the 8 zodiac boats in and out of the water. I read where the hull is extra heavy to deal with ice. This ship suits me fine, it feels like a ship for exploring.
After being onboard for 4 days now, with 35 more to go or so (I have been asked multiple times if this is my first cruise, and people are amazed that I say 'yes', and that I am going on such a long one for my first outing), I have settled into a kind of a routine
Beautiful scenery
. Up about 6:30/7am, turn on the TV, which is set to the channel that shows the position of the ship on a map, telling me if we are anchored yet or not. It also shows the outside temperature, windspeed, ship speed, and directional information. A captain's view of outside alternates with this info, showing how choppy the water is, and just how it looks outside. Based on this info I choose the right amount of layers, and head up 5 floors worth of stairs, and onto the middle exterior deck. I have not yet taken the elevators, every so often I am tempted, but I have decided I am on a ship, I need all the exercise I can get. On the deck, after just having a look around, I begin my laps. It is too wet to run, but I maintain a 'purposeful stride' walking speed, and make 21 laps around the ship, each lap being 1/7 of a mile, the whole being 3 miles. In the process, I get to see, (many times), all the views, and all that is going on in and around the ship. This morning, the zodiac boats are being lowered down the water, and staged for our little trip to shore later this morning. There are nearly 500 of us to transport, that operation starts at 8:15am, and does not end until early afternoon. The weather can change so quickly here, when I started my laps, there were sunbreaks, a slight breeze, and it felt great. About halfway through the sun had vanished, and a stiff wind was hitting the ship, and it got a whole lot colder. And it seemed to be raining on one end of the boat, but dry at the other end
Can't remember what kind of bird...
. By the time I was finished, the wind was calmer, no rain, but still cloudy. After my laps, I stop in for breakfast at the casual buffet style restaurant. I can have them make an omelet for me, or grab scrambled eggs, fruit, muffins, pancakes.... way more than I should probably eat. I eat so much better here than I would cooking for myself, but I am learning to pace myself, I don't really need a big breakfast every day, and a big lunch, and if I continue at this rate, there will be way more of Scott than I want. By the way, I am eating fairly healthy, I think I am even getting my 6-7 servings of fruits/vegetables every day (I am counting chocolate as a fruit, however).Today I have time between breakfast and my shore excursion departure time, to write this note, and read a bit. Then get on many more layers, including the big expedition parka they pretty much require us to wear. I now know it is red so it is easy for them 'handlers' to know where we all are. This morning I will leave at 10:20am and probably return about noon. The zodiac ride will take about ten minutes each way, and can be downright cold, being on the water, mist spraying up, maybe some wind, and cold temperature. After that, being on land seems warm, especially with all the layers. So far there has been no lack of penguins and beautiful views, so I am expecting that today again. I will take way more photos than I need to. Yesterday I was joking with a person I'd met that I probably took 50 photos
Lots of ice
. Turns out I took 150!Then clean up and head to lunch. In the afternoon there are typically lectures, or films. I have attended lectures of penguins, Antarctica geology, history and weather. And yesterday I saw a film on Sir Ernest Shackleton, an explorer at the times of Scott and Amundsen. Sir Ernest, however, never did reach the pole, nor was he able to finish his attempted crossing of the continent. His story, however, a very interesting and harrowing adventure, and makes a great film. Strangely, I became acquainted with this fellow in Alaska, where they had a large exhibit on his expeditions in the Anchorage history museum. I thought it odd at the time to have an exhibit in the arctic, on an explorer who traveled in the Antarctic...
After that I usually hit my cabin to take a little nap. Being up late each night, and getting up early the next morning, somehow about mid-afternoon, especially after lunch and a lecture, makes for perfect conditions to snooze. Plus, it is really quiet, at least around my cabin. Somewhere in here I usually cull through the photos, trying to get to 25-30 that I like, of which I hope to have ten or less to post on this travel blog. It is kind of nice having this laptop with me, as internet terminals on the ship charge a hefty amount per minute, whether I'm just typing a note, or actually surfing. So I write everything on this, and save the document as well the photographs I want, to my memory cartridge
Lots of penguins
. Then I log on to the internet, upload everything, check my email (I love emails, so write!!!), and then get off as quickly as I can.The early evening I visit the ship library, maybe spend some time outdoors, and generally just hang out. Usually there is entertainment prior to my late sitting for dinner. There are multiple singer/dancers, a magician, and a comedian. I have only seen one show so far, and it was good. Every one I miss I'm told was great. I plan on going to tonight's performance.
Dinner is at 8:30pm, at the formal restaurant. It is assigned seating, and at my table there are four from Australia, two from England, one from Ohio, and me. The Aussies and the Brits are quite vocal, and have many stories to tell. They are all very well traveled, I have yet to find a place they have not been. I am the quiet one, and the one from Ohio and I are on the young side of this group. Dinner is a long affair, and it is expected we come in appropriate attire. Last night was casual, but they still want nice slacks and a shirt, no jeans or t-shirts allowed. Other nights are semi-formal (suits), or really formal (tuxedos). When we have shore excursions, especially the adventurous type, the evenings are generally casual. Our table seems to be the last to leave the restaurant; we have some very active conversations.
I take a peak outside, to see if there are stars out, and how cold it is. At these latitudes, it is pretty chilly after dark, so I don't stay out long. Down to my cabin, and then to bed.
That's it. It's a tough life, but somebody has to do it. I could get used to this....
Comments
Chocolate
Hi Again
I think the brownish bird you have on pic two may be a juvenile seagull. They are generally brown their first year and turn white/grey the second year. That's what I've been told anyway. Another thing I've heard is that chocolate is not considered a real fruit, and is never to be counted as a vegetable.
Judy of the West
I've been there! Beautiful indeed!
My hubby brought me there this Jan. It was our honeymoon!