As we approached Deception Island, a caldera from an active volcano, we were struck by the ruggedness of the landscape as well as seeing the steam rise from the water lapping the shore. Deception island last erupted in the 1970’s.
We entered and our destination today was Whalers Bay, with the remains of buildings from the past when this had been a whaling station. The Norwegian buildings were built better than the British ones, and for many years these were used for science and research too.
Whaling was a huge industry as the meat and blubber used, I can only imagine what it must have smelt like with the tanks full of blubber to be melted. 1969 saw a change with many countries no longer carrying out the barbaric killing as some species were facing extinction. In 1986 the international whaling commission was established and they allow some countries to continue with smaller catches and under close supervision still. There are still debates and changes with the Southern Ocean declared a whale sanctuary in 1994.
It was interesting to see the fur seals, mostly young adult males play fighting, with a few penguins scattered around. You felt a real sense of history standing on the black beach.
It was here in this austere landscape that a few brave passengers decided to do a polar plunge.
This involved stripping down to a swimming costume on the beach and ‘running’ into the water. The water is very, very cold, despite the steam rising! My sister in law was the first one in, she sensibly kept a hat and t shirt on. Kevin was the second one in, and you could physically see the temperature affecting his movement once in the water. You are not allowed to stay in longer than 1 minute.
Once we returned to the ship, a warm shower was the order of the day, dinner and a beautiful moonlight serenade as we began our journey to the Falklands.
Five days in Antarctica, an experience we will never forget. A privilege to have set foot on this continent, where we have learned so much. Thankyou to Viv, Don and Kevin for encouraging me to be a part of this journey.
My little life 