SPT,

Don't worry I signed us both up.. be ready to sail south, far far south ... April 2012 :)

JOUGLA POINT

A short time after lunch we are boarding zodiacs for our afternoon outing. Groups of us will take turns visiting Port Lockroy and nearby Jougla Point on Goudier Island. My group first visits a very very windy and cold Jougla Point.

I spend the start of my time there with one of the expedition leaders, Damien, who has a wealth of information about the area. From him, I also learn about the various types of sea ice as we watch a seal frantically waving hello to us.

Here there are several colonies of gentoo penguins, blue eyed shags and kelp gulls. They are busy with spring time activities which become very interesting to watch.

At one time, this area had an active whaling industry at Jougla Point. Some of the sad artifacts including giant now gray whale bones remain scattered along the shoreline.


Video:
http://youtu.be/_5oggOPsgiA

BLACK AND WHITE CRIMINALS

In the bitter cold on Jougla Point, I am standing just mere feet away witnessing crimes that I am helpless to do anything about. Although this situation involves individuals with similar motives, I am not quite sure it has yet risen to the level of an organized crime operation.

And from what I can tell, Cut, Clarity, Color or Carat means nothing to this gang. Apparently, to them it is just all about “The Rock” and impressing the girl's.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be of much help to the police in solving these crimes as the participants all looked alike and fit the same bill.

“Yes, officer they were all dressed in black and white, about three foot tall and walked with a funny waddle.”

But can you blame them?

After all, a rock is a girl's best friend!

Video:
http://youtu.be/4sWo00HrkyM

Glad I checked back in & see that your typewriter is on again.

LeslieS,

Busy with work and other travels but ... the writing must go on :)

Glad you checked back, a few more Antarctica posting to post!

OH, BEHAVE

Spring time on Jougla Point would make “The International Man Of Mystery” very proud as there is a whole lot of “shag” going on.

And who’s responsible for all this shagging? You guessed it, The Blue Eyed Shags.

With nests built on shared grounds, from a distance they can be easily be mistaken for gentoo penguins. However, all doubt should be removed when you see one take flight.

The Blue Eyed Shag is the only member of the Cormorant family that resides on the Antarctic continent proper as far south as 68 degrees.

Although they normally breed between August and October, some late or second chance courtship is still going on in early December.

Yeah, Shag, Yeah!


Slideshow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmynbzP4GQ

PORT LOCKROY

Located on Goudier Island, visiting Port Lockroy gives a glimpse of daily living in Antarctica and a nonchalant welcome by the couple hundreds or so black and white locals.

About four months out of the year the island is also occupied by four to nine temporary volunteer locals.

Port Lockroy is a natural harbor that was once a British military base in the 1960's. Taken over in the 1990's by the Antarctica Heritage Trust, today it is operated as a temporary residence and museum.

From here, work is launched to clean up other former British locations that are an eye sore to the pristine area.

Being properly dressed I am able to plunge down in the snow at 64 Degrees South and 63 Degrees West not worried about freezing my tush off. Nearby, a sled and other remnants from early human life here are on display.

Prior to entering the museum I am greeted by the local scavenger, a Sheathbill. The Sheathbill is content to clean up the mess around here even if it involves stealing an egg or two in the process.

Inside the museum, I get a quick confirmation that all along my personal hygiene has been on the right track. Due to the lack of rainfall here along with the process for collecting water, in the 1960's it was not uncommon to wait 9 days to take a shower.

Aren't you glad I use Dial?

Feeling hungry? How about some sliced bacon in the can or tasty kidney pudding?

Did you say you would like mayonnaise that looks like mustard on the side? Some Heinz, coming right up!

Or if you are feeling tired how about taking a nap in our comfortable munchkin bed?

Seeing the decor and items on the display I cannot image life being too comfortable here in the darkness of an Antarctic winter. A four month spring time visit would be more to my liking.

Although, I am told the showering cycle has been reduced to just about four days. Maybe I can adjust.

Headed back to the Ioffe, I discover we are in for another pleasant surprise and the weather is nice enough that it might all work out just right.


Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJgX13by0bk

Great shag shots! Now I'm stuck singing the Dial jingle in my head for the rest of the day....

I'm having hat envy - your fellow traveler's sock monkey hat is very cute. I'm still hoping I can prevail upon you to give a basic gear list when you do your wrap-up. I'm hoping one pair of waterproof pants will suffice, for example, but would love your 2 cents.

LeslieS,

Sorry, but at least it's better than "It's a small world after all ... a small small world" :)

A few of us also had hat envy but we got our chance for payback ... Stay tuned details at 11!

I will do a wrap up with my basic gear list. One pair of waterproof pants was sufficient for me.

Although there were many opportunities where you could get wet, mainly on the zodiacs, I cannot recall were getting wet was a big issue.

The main deal was has a nice set of thermals along with socks and then being properly layered.

COLD, COOL AND FUN

Think of being in one of the coldest areas on the planet and what we are experiencing this afternoon is one of the last things you would think about.

Thanks to the hard work of the on board hotel staff, we are having an Outdoor Barbeque in Antarctica! And to literally top it all off our unofficial cruise director, Val, has laid down a challenge. We have to come up with the “coolest” hats we can for the event.

I head right for the trash can.

Mingling on the aft deck as the sweet smell of barbeque chicken, steak and sausages fill the cold Antarctica air, I am delighted to see fellow passengers have reached for higher grounds to top things off.

From a yellow submarine hat, to one that is made out of sea sick bags there is a lot of talent at 64 degrees south.

Four contestants end up in a crowd participation voting for a bottle of house. For our guests from Port Lockroy, who did take a bath today, The Penguin Man is a favorite but he is not able to muster a win.

As night falls the fun continues once the "BBQ After Party" begins inside the bar where we are entertained by a fun magician. At the right moment, Val climbs the bar counter to get our attention. A treat awaits as a new music beat permeates the air.

Next, it's a bit of adult entertainment Antarctica style as a yellow parka comes off and the dance moves begin.

The fun seems non stop. Thanks to the generosity of two fellow passengers, Carlton and Rose a few of us even get to take a stab at the art of magic. Our first, second and third attempt at it goes down real smooth.

After all, how difficult should it be for a couple of “Wild and Crazy Guys” to make a liter or so of Vodka disappear?


Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCaCt-lMJv8

MY HEROES

I imagine if Willie Nelson had been on board the Akademik Ioffe he would have had another hit. This one centered around the certifiably insane “Polar Plungers” and I would have been more than happy to be his Quincy Jones.

On a nice sunny but freezing Antarctica morning, along with a few others I stand on the outside of the Ioffe cheering on fellow passengers. They are making the most of their Antarctic experience and just maybe proving their lack of sanity in the process.

From shrieks and shivering panting to back flips and underwater swimming, these crazy dare devils delight and entertain us.

And along the way I have found new heroes, ones without hats or boots!

Video:
http://youtu.be/at43SFCMlzQ

Cool shag photos -- I didn't get to see any on my trip. I have to say we had better weather for our BBQ, though -- a gorgeous sunny day with deep blue skies. And all those polar plungers are insane! (It's funny in your video where someone asks you about doing the plunge, and you starting saying something about not wanting to do it twice before you cut off the clip...)

SPT,

Shags were interesting as some of them where building nest. The penguins did not seem to be fond of them .. maybe because they could fly!

Yeah, it was not quite BBQ weather but still a treat especially mixing in the hats with it.

Once was enough for me on the Polar Plunge although I was tempted for a second try since warming up would have been a lot easier.

Hats off to those that went more than once ... burrrrr!

PS. Watched Titanic last night and it was interesting to see how casual they were around the water in the North Atlantic ... Guess it's not as cold as down south or maybe it's just Hollywood.

THE LAST ZODIAC CRUISE

It is bitter cold with howling winds as we launch on our last zodiac cruise. A fitting farewell to one of the most remote and coldest region on the planet.

It is not unusual that again I am on the last zodiac to leave the Ioffe. There are just a few of us on board with Dr. Timor. We would have been one less had I not convinced Peter to brave the cold and join us.

For me, the zodiac ride is fun as we maneuver over rolling waves and the cold ocean water sprays off the rubber bow. Even after several days down here the scenery that includes a landscape covered with pure white snow, occasionally highlighted with areas of aqua blue still fascinates me.

Before long we cruise past another Argentina research station then find shelter from the wind in an enclosed harbor. A few more minutes exploring the area then we are on our way back to the Ioffe.

While waiting our turn to reboard the ship a few of us share some of the memorable moments of our adventure. It seems like only yesterday I was sinking up to my knees in snow on Half Moon Bay. Only one of the many memories I will take from my visit to The Blue Continent.

Farewell, Antarctica!


Video:
http://youtu.be/e_KMQHACLFQ

It sounds like you're wrapping up your trip report, but I'm curious how your Drake Passage went.

Thanks for writing this! I've really enjoyed the write-up and videos...

I would also like to thank you for almost taking us along on your adventure. The videos and your very well-written descriptions of your trip were great!

Great narrative and videos. Thanks for sharing.

Srta. Medialuna

SPT,Giovanna,Treesa

Thanks!

Still a few more postings to make including our Drake Passage crossing. As you can imagine it is a time consuming but rewarding process to put it all together.

Glad you enjoyed coming along!

Hi, just getting back to internet after a few weeks off & I'm sad to have this tale coming to an end. It's been a fabulous read - thank you so much for all the effort you made to share with us. Loved the funny hat BBQ - how did she happen to have a pink wig in her luggage?
Don't know that I'll be breave enough for plunging- looks like they aren't in TOO much pain though. Maybe! Don't blame you for not doing it twice; once for pride, twice would just be masochism.

Thanks again and if you do get a chance to list basic gear that would be swell. Just ordered a hat online today - should've gone for the sock monkey one!

LeslieS,

The "Sock Monkey" hat would be so you :)

I will post my gear in the wrap up and will get it done in time for you.