Aromas of all Sorts

Ocean Tramp – Bob

 

Thursday, January 30th – Fortunate Point – Bob Polk

Fort Point was indeed our fortunate point for day one of team tramp expeditions. From the deck, with coffees in hand, we surveyed the half-moon beach of citrus sized and shaped bluestone. A gentle swell suggested a gently landing, and after careful inspection, it was deemed safe, and doable. The first thing one notices approaching the shore is the distinctly fishy scent of the penguin rookery. The penguins took little notice of us as we invaded their oleaginous encampment. Curious, fluffy, nearly full-sized chicks stared at our strange primate forms and surely were judging us to be the awkward ones as we took care to remain upright when the rocks became slippery. Exploring the headlands, we discovered a hidden colony of chinstrap penguins – a congregation in a rocky, barely accessible saddle with a soaring wall of rock that provided the perfect photographic back drop.

After this we walked the length of the stony beach to the base of a small glacier that was spilling a ramp of icy snow onto the beach. Hiking up
this ramp we could safely see some of the more dramatic aspects of the glacier’s terminal push to the sea. Finally, we walked the beach back to the sea admiring from afar the noble alpha fur seals guarding their turf on the high ridge above us. A splashy launch of the RIB and we were off the beach, back to the boat, and on to our next adventure…!

Friday January 31st – Deception Tastes Like Croissants – Megan May

Today, we went on a landing ashore at Deception Island and hiked up the ridge.  On our way out to land, a cruise ship brought over homemade croissants to share with us!  What a treat!

The views along the hike were beautiful and allowed height to better see the beauty of the seascape and landscape.  The landscape especially was full of black rocks, giving an otherworldly experience.

We spent the rest of the day transiting down towards the peninsula. Overall, we had a restful day transiting, giving time to read about Antarctica, resting, and getting ready for more adventures!

 

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Photo: David Divitt