Antarctica, Day 10
We awoke to seeing our first icebergs from our stateroom. Overnight we had crossed into Antarctic waters. I was actually still in bed when my usually sleepy husband jumped out of bed, through open the drapes, and spotted our first iceberg. I was still in bed and could see it from there. Amazing!
Top Tip: If one of your main motivations for taking a cruise is to enjoy the scenery, I highly recommend booking a stateroom with a balcony/veranda. Not only do you have a wide view, your room feels spacious. You can step out in your bathrobe to take in the fresh, morning air or to view the stars in the middle of the night. My husband Brian and I have taken a couple of cruises with a small window in our cabin, but we much prefer a balcony stateroom.
The low flat iceberg in the distance on the right is called a tabular iceberg because it is wide and flat, like a table. This day we visited Elephant Island, one of the chain of the South Shetland Islands in the Southern Ocean.
Approaching Elephant Island. It's famous because this is where most of Captain Ernest Shackleton's men spent four and a half months, waiting for rescue.
Shackleton took five of his men and traveled by long boat from Elephant Island for 800 miles over open sea to South Georgia Island where a whaling station was located and help was found.
Above is Point Wild at Elephant Island. We first learned about this heroic story when we read "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing to our kids. Highly recommended!
I include this photo just in case you're not convinced that it was cold. Daily high temps were 32-34 degrees F.
Below is a good example of very old ice. The brilliant blue color gives its age away. The ice has been compressed for so long that all the oxygen that would diffuse the color is gone, leaving the signature blue.
Binoculars were required to see the Chinstrap penguins on the shore. Just in case you're wondering, Shackleton's men survived on Chinstrap penguins while they waited for rescue.
I found this photo of a Chinstrap online.
This rocky bit of beach is where Shackleton's men camped, making a hut out of two long boats. It's named Point Wild after Shackleton's second-in-command, who provided leadership for the stranded men. The black arrow points to a dark triangular monument, commemorating Luis Pardo, a Chilean pilot who brought Shackleton back to Elephant Island to rescue his men on August 30, 1916.
Later in the day from our cabin's balcony, we watched Fin whales, the second largest after the Blue whale. They were so close, we could hear their breath.
A fiery Antarctic sunset. What a marvelous day!
Bonus Tip: Ever since taking one pair of binoculars to share on our first Alaska cruise, my husband and I each pack our own pair now. Our vision is too different to share. By the time I get his binoculars adjusted to my vision, I've missed the opportunity of seeing the wildlife, scenery, etc. We pack ours in our carry-ons so they won't get bonked around in checked luggage. If you forget your binoculars, they are usually for sale on the ship, but that's an expensive way to buy them.