Palmer Station, Antarctica

The ship made its way toward the Palmer Station.  Palmer Station is one of three US scientific stations in Antarctica.  The scientists were to rendezvous with our ship and present information to us.  They generally receive 10-12 cruise ships during the summer months when the waters are navigable. 

Here are a few of my photos of our trip to pick up the scientists.  They’ll be dropped off later this evening with lots of fruits and vegetables for taking time to share information with the passengers on the Prisendam.

The weather has been perfect today.  Although this is the coldest and windiest place on earth, the winds are calms and it's nice in the sunshine (with a coat, hat, and gloves)

It interesting how the clouds hover at lower levels in this part of the world.

At 1PM (ETA 1300) we're picking up the scientists from the Palmer Station.

It's summer, and that is algae growing on the snow. 

I caught a glimpse of another ship nearby as we continue to Palmer Station.

Icebergs are everywhere.

I guess two guests on the ship wanted to say they went swimming in Antarctica.

The beauty of this part of the world is unreal... almost sensory overload.

Here's a shot of the Palmer Station in Antarctica.  It's one of three US stations on the continent of Antarctica.

Here come the scientists to rendezvous with our ship.

There were more of them than I thought on the two boats.

They seem happy to be visiting our ship for the afternoon and evening.

The captain (center with sunglasses and chin propped in his hands) observes the two boats of folks arriving.

Four folks returned after dropping off the group.  Note they have some fresh produce (see the watermelons on the boat).

The director of the Palmer Station gives us an overview.

The scientists introduce themselves (and their alma mater) along with area of research.

These mountains tower above our ship.  It's hard to show with a photo.

We maneuver in the icy water.

The captain seems skilled getting in and out of the channels.

Some more algae that is growing on the snow/ice.

These mountains are among the tallest on the continent of Antarctica.

Greetings from the bow of the ship (no recreation of any famous movie scene) in Antarctica

Kate Winslet wasn't here for me to recreate the bow scene from Titanic!

Looking back toward the ship!

Another view looking up at the bow.  They open it when it's not too windy and on special days!

Dallman Bay and Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

It’s hard to put into words a description of the beauty of Antarctica.  I don’t know enough superlatives, so I’ll let a few of my pictures do the job!

Hey, I really am in Antarctica!  I'm freezing and it's summer here!

Note the fluke of a humpback whale in the center of the photo.  They exhale and stick the fluke out of the water when making a deep dive.

There are lots of icebergs.  It's hard to determine the actual size in a photo.

The clouds and sunlight are beautiful against the mountains.

The hump of a humpback whale.

There was a loud roar, and everyone rushed to the port side.  It was a glacier calving.

The hotel director of the ship is getting a shot of the killer whales,.

A pod of killer whales is off the side of the ship.

Another shot of a killer whale.

I don't know that anyone will be taking a swim today.  Hot tub?

A pair of humpback whales are nearby.  You can actually here them exhale.

Next stop is Palmer Station to pick up an Antarctic station team who will be sharing information at 2:30 this afternoon.

My first sighting of Antarctica

I left my cabin all bundled up to the uppermost deck at 5:15am to get my first view of Antarctica. It is cold!  Here are my shots as the seventh continent came into view.  I even saw two whales.

 

Ice has built up over night on the observation deck.

The deck can be a little slippery.

Staff members are removing the ice on the lower deck.

Two whales were in view.  I was only fast enough with the camera to get their fins as they submerged.

First glimpse of Antarctica

Whale sighting... I only got the blowhole in this photo.