Sunday, November 23, 2008
Well have to make a correction to last nights estimate of the sailing
time to the Antarctic Peninsula we actually arrived early this
morning, for a 5.30am shore leave.
Early this morning we filmed an episode of In the Middle of Nowhere,
which is a television programme we have in its pilot phase. Todays was
focused on Ulyssis an expedition guide, and Charlie Paton Ex-Royal
Marine and adventurer. It was a good episode and all three had so many
stories to tell.
In the early morning the rest of the expedition team landed at Brown
Bluff, where they visited a huge colony of Adelie Penguins. The
penguins were all nesting, crouched into nests built out of small
stones. We were able to see the eggs, which will hatch within about 7
days.
Behind the beach is a volcanic hill, all looking down over the frozen
landscape and incredible scenery of the Antarctic Sound. Our group
stayed over 2 hours, walking up to the top of the hill, and back down
again.
Over breakfast we sailed a little bit further through a perfectly glassy
Hope Bay to Esperanza Station. At the station, 47 experts volunteer to
spend one year there in their profession, and there are even 14 children
on the island. All buildings here are painted orangy-red and goldenrod.
Its a colour scheme that is particularly striking against the white
snowy backdrop.
Esperanza has a working post office, which runs from a corner of the
casino a one room cabin-like hall where all communal activity takes
place. There are 47 people in the station, with 14 children. For our
visit, we were treated to coffee and snacks, and we had an opportunity
to purchase souvenirs and stamps for posting. Augustine explained to us
that they were delighted to have us visit, because they really have the
opportunity to visit many new people. It seemed to us that most of the
residents were from Buenos Aires, which would be a big difference from
Antarctica. They admitted the winter was tough too cold and windy to
stir from their small homes. But today was really comfortable and it
served as a great chance to play a little rugby, do some tobogganing,
and stretch our legs.
Back to the ship for lunch, were now sailing through the night.
Bernice will give us a lecture later about glaciers, which we are all
looking forward too. And after that, a screening of March of the
Penguins. We hope the seas remain calm. During last nights screening
of a movie, several people were knocked out of their chairs due to
rolling.
Pat Falvey
Expedition Leader
PHOTO: Niall Foley pulling and Sandra Riordan pushing Phil and Ann in a
sled
