WINTER DAY

Our day started early in the morning. Snow was falling from the sky just like Christmas Eve. MS Fram sailing through Antarctic waters full of fabulous icebergs. The scenic from the ship was incredible.

Around 9.30 am we were able to do our second landing in Antarctic mainland. Almirante Brown is an Argentine base located in the beautiful Paradise Bay. A large group of Gentoo penguins and one Adelie penguin were the main wildlife attraction on land. In the water, some of us could see Crabeater seals and Minke whales near the shore. Brown is not also a great point to encounter wildlife but also a place to have lot of fun sliding down a 90 meters hill.

During the afternoon, we had the plan to land in Port Lockroy, but the wind was too strong. As we could not reach the base, the postcards that were supposed to be delivered in a few months are going to be delivered by November this year.

However, the day didn’t end like this. As a matter of time, we had the opportunity to sail through the famous Lemaire Channel. The cruising along the channel was full of Minke whales and penguins. There must have been a lot of krill in the area.         

ANTARCTIC MAINLAND

Now we can say that we had walked on Antarctic mainland. Neko Harbor, named after a ship that anchored there in the early 1900´s, is an area where Gentoo penguins breed during the summer season.

We really felt Antarctic weather during the landing in Neko: snowy and windy.

During the afternoon we sailed through the narrow Errera Channel to reach Cuverville Island, where one of the largest Gentoo rookery takes place. We are not tired of seeing penguins every day!

After a small walk up a hill, the scenic of the glaciers and icebergs was fascinating! The sun was shining for the entire landing time. 

FIRST LANDING

After a delicious breakfast, the day activities on board MS Fram started. We attended to the mandatory IAATO briefings. The International Association of Antarctica Operators (IAATO) and the Antarctic Treaty have specific regulations for landings in Antarctic area.

Vacuuming service for our backpacks, pants and gloves was offered. It is extremely important to prevent the introduction of any alien species to Antarctica.

Finally, we made our first landing at Half Moon Island, a small but beautiful place within the South Shetland Islands. A big rookery of Chinstrap Penguins and lots of Fur Seals were waiting for us in the beach of our landing. 

The combination of wildlife and huge glaciers makes of Half Moon an amazing spot in the South Shetlands.

NEITHER SHAKE NOR LAKE

If you are sailing to Antarctica you need to cross the Drake Passage. Fortunately for us, Drake waters were not rough enough. We can say that we had a “normal” crossing.

Our morning started with a full lecture program. Thanks to the expedition team, we learnt about the main characteristics about the Antarctic continent, penguins, and ice. 

We had great fun while trying our rubber boots. 

During the afternoon more lectures went on and our photographer Nick offered us a very useful camera workshop.

This day could not have ended in a better way: a singing show in the observation lounge.   

SUNNY WELCOME

Ushuaia welcomed us on a spectacular way. Weather in this city can change from a sunny day to rainy and windy one in 30 minutes. Fortunately for us, the sun shined brightly for the entire day.

Our arrival to the ship was smooth and calm. After checking in, staff from the expedition team gave us one of the most useful gifts we could ever receive for this trip: a wind- and waterproof jacket.

Safety mandatory drill started just before the ship departure from Ushuaia.

For this time of the day we were hungry. Dinner was fantastic!

The day ended with the captain´s welcome in the observation lounge, a fantastic place to have a panoramic view.   

   

Ushuaia Excursions

We woke up today with no rocking of the ship to induce morning motion sickness. Last night we arrived in Port to send our sick patient to the hospital to get the medical attention that they needed. All of us onboard hope they will make a full recovery.

We had two possible excursions to join during the day that allowed us to explore a little more of the beautiful surroundings of the southernmost city on the continent.

The Catamaran tour of the Beagle Channel departed at nine, and gave passengers a close up view of seals and local bird life that was missed during the Fram's passage.

A hike in the afternoon afforded nice views and an opportunity to stretch tired legs on what used to be a glacier above the city of Ushuaia.

We ended the day with the Captain's Farewell in the observation lounge, to the tune of Fram's best singers.

At Sea

The wind died down and the seas were calmer for the second sea day on our way north. Luckily, Fram passed through the Drake behind a very low pressure system that moved through just hours before. 

Lectures continued and passengers prepared for the two extra excursions that will be offered for the extra day in Ushuaia. 

Bridge tours were held in english and german, and while passengers were practicing their boat handling skills, the ship's photographer displayed the great pictures he took on this cruise. 

PARADISE IN ANTARCTIC MAINLAND

We can say that we walk on the Antarctic continent! Not also walk, but slide down. Our first landind during the morning was at the Argentinean base of Almirante Brown. The base is located in Paradise Bay. Now we know why this place is called like that. The view from the snow-covered hill was amazing!

We were not tired of seeing penguins, so we went to Neko Harbour in the afternoon. A penguin rookery of gentoo penguins were wainting for us. Chicks running after their mothers, skuas trying to get their dinner (penguin eggs or small chicks), and the scenary hike up the hill were the principal attractions at Neko.

WILDLIFE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Very early in the morning we reach Whilemina bay, an excellent place to encounter whales, specially humpback whales. We were extremely lucky, we not only see humpbacks resting and swimming, but also feeding. Bubble-net feeding is a unique technique that humpbacks use to trap their food near surface.

After having lunch on board Fram, we had our second landing of the day: Cuverville island, where a large colony of Gentoo penguins breed during summer. It was a great opportunity to go swimming in Antarctic waters.

Some of us had the possibility to do outdoor activities: cruising with the polar circle boats and kayaking.

After a delicious dinner, some people went camping on Cuverville island. It must have been an amazing experience to camp in Antarctica.

SNOWY MORNING

The day welcomed us with snow cops falling from the sky. An incredible way to get out of our warm beds.

After having breakfast, the second landing of the trip went on. The people from the Chilean base station “Frei” were waiting for our visit. Frei is a permanent station where almost 70 people live year-round. Aproximately at 9.30 am the first groups get into the polar circle boats to reach the coast of the station, located in King George Island. We were also able to visit a Russian station, called Bellingshausen.

A catholic and a Russian churchs and a research center with fossils were the most attractive places to visit during the landing.

During the landing, some of us could enjoy nature from a closer view by kayaking. 

This amazing day ended with the Fram sailing through Deception island, originated by volcanic activity. During whaling time (18^th and 19^th centuries) Deception island had the biggest whaling station. Nowadays there are only the remainings of this station: huge tanks where whalers stored whale oil, some houses and a hangar. 

 

WE MADE IT

We crossed the Antarctic convergence and officially enter in Antarctic territory overnight.  Early this morning we observed our first penguins purposing along the vessel as we passed by.  The weather was good just an occasional bit of fog and soft snow but as the evening progressed was getting good even at moments clear sky and sunny moments.

We arrived at half-moon which is a small islet between Livingstone and Greenwich islands were a colony of chinstrap penguins reside.  At our arrival we were greeted by many fur seals which at this time of the year they came back from the breeding grounds to feed.  By now the nestlings were quite grown and many were already in the water.  Because of the weather conditions the only extra activity offered was a snowshoe hiking.  However, all we did enjoyed our first contact with all the new creatures we saw for the first time on the island. 

FIND THE DUCK

The day was cloudy with moderate winds, literally with no birds to see, however they were many and good lectures through the day.

Now is an opportunity to show some interiors of the vessel and check as were the duck is. Have fun.