The most important event of the day was the landing on the Continent of Antarctica, as during the previous few days we had visited islands belonging to Antarctica and had been taken by the rubber boats up to a few hundred meters from the continent, but no stepping on the continent so far.
The landing place was Neko Harbour – just a piece of suitable coast for disembarkation between the glaciers. The festive moment could be illustrated by "one small step for the continent and a huge one for the stepper” or something analogous.
Outside it was snowing slightly, which happens in Antarctica quite rarely as it is usually dry and cold here. First we were taken in rubber boat to the shore and then were allowed to climb up the nearest mountain. Antarctica, Neko Harbour, February 28, 2013, at 9:53 am local time. And thank you, Margus, for the Motoreporter shirt!
Up here this is the very right place to take time off for a moment and enjoy the silence, just to look around.
The path up to the mountain was red-flagged and local figures had something to peck again for a change.
The rest of the penguin pictures will be up in Flickr later. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarmotamming/
After lunch the ship moved into the Gulf named Paradise Bay where one more rubber boat trip was planned, but the weather became more and more watery and for a moment it seemed that this trip would not take place. Some more waiting and then it was announced that those who wished to participate in the last rubber boat trip had to sign up at the reception`s personally. So I put my name down, dressed in layers as much as possible and went out.
A brighter piece of sky appeared between the clouds – but it was briefly.
The ice soup all around , the trip lasted about an hour and a half and then back to the ship to warm up and dry the clothes. The landings were over by this time. All together there were 11 of them.
Today`s journey on the map. No.10 is the landing on the continent of Antarctica and No 11 is the last trip of Zodiac.
The two-day journey across the Strait of Drake was waiting ahead, but this time the weather was very different.
Going back to the cabins I found that about a centimetre-thick metal plate was screwed on the window and no looking out of the illuminators any more. As to the predicted wave heights - it was said that not so very high, perhaps about 5 meters
The inner voice said that now it was the right time to go and ask medicine against seasickness. One must get along with oneself and not argue pointlessly.
So I was given 4 tablets and recommended to take the first one in immediately.
Continued.
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