We begin our exploration of Antarctica by the South Shetland Islands. Land finally! In the morning we had our first landing at Aitcho Island. Even though it’s a cold, windy and snowing day it’s a great feeling to walk again and we’re rewarded well as we see our first penguins – a combination of Gentoos and Chinstraps. We also Walk amongst Elephant seals who are miserable as they are malting and many Scours (birds which feed on Penguins). We climb to the top of the island and get a spectacular view of the landscape ..... mountainous snow capped islands in the distance separated from us by a sea punctured by blue icebergs and rocky outcrops.
In the afternoon, we make a landing at Half Moon Island (named due to it’s shape) and the first thing that we notice is an abandoned ship wreck which the colony of Chinstrap Penguins are clamouring around. We are entertained by the cute Chinstraps and the way they move through the snow that is now falling very heavily. We’ve got every layer on that we own and the wind and snow picks up dramatically on our return making the Zodiac trip back to the boat a cold and wet ride ..... we really feel like we’re in an Antarctic adventure now!
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