Antarctica, Day 13
Our final day in Antarctic waters. When we awoke, the ship had already departed Dallmann Bay where we sheltered overnight. We were back in Gerlache Strait, heading southwest to Neumayer Channel, Port Lockroy, and Lamaire Channel.
Top Tip: It bears repeating - bring warm clothes so that you can enjoy the beautiful views. We brought insulated pants, long underwear, hats, scarves, gloves, and layers of tops. The temps can be made colder by wind chill, so come prepared.
Cruising in Neumayer Channel.
Our goal: Port Lockroy. It's located in a small bay. We entered through the small-looking gap on the right in the photo below.
The arrow points to the tiny island, really just a big rock, where Port Lockroy is located. It consists of three buildings, five volunteers, and no boat.
Below, the five volunteers are coming down to meet the boat sent from our ship. Port Lockroy is the location of the southernmost post office in the world. We mailed postcards from here to our kids and ourselves. They were dropped off here and picked up by the next cruise ship. We were told it could take 3-4 months for our postcards to arrive in the US, but it only took about 2 months.
The crew on the small boat could not go ashore due to biosecurity. So they threw a rope over and delivered the postcards via a small barrel. The captain also sent a gift of fresh produce and bacon. They sent the bacon back because they were all vegetarians. LOL
Goodbye Port Lockroy!
Continuing further south . . .
Our final Antarctic destination: Lemaire Channel. The opening is the cleft between the two cliffs in the center of the photo below. We had to be content with just viewing the entrance. The channel was too full of ice to venture in.
This closer view gives an idea of the ice jam in the channel.
Goodbye Larmaire Channel. Time to leave the Antarctic, cross Drake Passage, and head to our next port of call, Ushuaia, Argentina.
What a wonderful time Brian and I had in the Antarctic!
Bonus Tip: Spring for the postage to send postcards from Port Lockroy. I know five dollars is spendy for a postcard, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to send them and for your loved ones to receive them.
