Day 27, Admiralty Bay and Deception Island

Antarctica Day 1

Our transit across Drake Passage was relatively smooth as we passed south of 60 degrees latitude which defines the boundary of the Antarctica zone. 

ADMIRALTY BAY

We cruised thru Bransfield Strait before turning back north into Admiralty Bay at 7 AM.  For the next 2 hours we cruised up the bay, turned around and headed back out.  Along the way we spotted a few penguins – way off in the distance, you would need binoculars to see them.  The naturalists onboard spotted a whale fluke as it started its dive, but alas, it was on the opposite side of the ship.  Overcast skies and a light sprinkle kept the temperatures down, but by seeking shelter from the wind, it wasn’t that cold. 

There was a coffee and pastry station set up on deck three inside the Atrium, but no Antarctica Rolls – aka Panama Canal Rolls.  They did offer hot drinks delivered to our rooms for $12, $9 for hot chocolate, including a souvenir mug.  Menu HERE

By 11 am we were out of Admiralty bay and heading back in the Bransfield Straight toward Deception Island.  We expected to arrive there around 4 PM. 

KNITTING UPDATE

Judy started doing a crochet project called Kirsty’s Granny Shrug.  Judy is making it with a much thinner yarn she bought in Buenos Aires so it won’t be so bulky. 

DECEPTION ISLAND

At 4 PM we closed in on Deception Island and hovered near the coast, watching a large Penguin Colony.  We were too far away to see them with the naked eye, and even with binoculars they were quite small, but there was thousands of penguins here.  The fog started to close in and cover most of deception island about 5:30 PM

The scenic commentary wrapped up at 6 PM and we continued our southern journey.  Tomorrow morning, we will visit the Neumayer Channel. 

ROOM NUMBER ROULETTE

A group of us assembled at 7 pm in the Casino to play “Room Number Roulette.”  This is where we play our room numbers and hope for the best.  Today wasn’t my lucky day as not one of my room numbers was hit the entire evening.  A few others in our group did much better. 

PRESIDENTS CUT STEAK

For dinner, I ordered the 36 ounce “Presidents Cut” steak for $75.  The table shared this giant steak which was very good.  Some people claim they saw Orlando Ashford back in the kitchen cooking it up. 

PETER CUTLER

Peter Cutler was the featured performer this evening.  He sang a wonderful assortment of tunes including:  Save the Last Dance for Me, Old Man River, Empty Chairs At Empty Tables from Les Misérables and New York, New York.