December 12th – The Shetland Islands

After last night’s dinner and during the night we began the crossing from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Shetland Islands.  The seas were gentile and the ship rolled only slightly.  With a 5:30 AM wakeup we all retired early to get some rest.  After a 6AM breakfast we landed in XXXX Bay for a really cool hike from one side of the island to the other.  We say three species of penguins, Adele, Chinstrap, and Gento.  The highlight was both Weddell and Elephant seals all sunning on the beach.  We were able to get within a few feet of this huge animal and lots of photos were taken.  On a nearby mound were nesting Skea birds.  Being a protected area we weren’t able to get too close.  Being a bit further north of the peninsula we actually walked on sand rock, instead of snow, and a lot of the island was exposed with a lot of patches of green moss and other ground cover.  Although the morning was overcast, it was pleasant.  We were on land for about three hours before returning to the ship.

Lunch today was hot dogs and macaroni and cheese – or what the Russian and Argentinean version is . . . smile.  During lunch we set out to the passage again for a five hour cruise to King George Island, location of bases from five different countries.  Today we were guests of the Chinese research station.  Very modern and well equipped, we toured the Chinese faculty and went into several buildings.  The base was sparsely populated with maybe 15 people.  In the summer months (Jan – Apr) it will grow to over 40.  They were very nice and accommodating.

We returned the ship in late afternoon for tea on the observation deck. Shortly before dinner the seas became very rough with 15 to 30 foot ways.  We were officially back in the Drake Passage.  During dinner table, chairs, passengers, and eating utensils routinely sailed across the room.  Soup and wine service were suspended for the evening because of the rocking of the ship.  Needless to say the dinner hour was short…get it in and get out.  The rest of the evening was spent in the observation lounge marveling at the size of the waves and the side to side and front to back rocking of the ship.  We were promised a full night long assault from the now hurricane winds and tidal surge.