Early morning out on the water

The theme of this trip is ‘Penguin Safari’, and it starts right here in a big way! A pre – breakfast (early!) zodiac tour around the island, back to the ship for breakfast, and by 9:30 we were back in the zodiacs. A few very chilly minutes later we disembarked. Clearly the penguins were expecting us.

This afternoon we head to a different part of the Island. This part is where the great Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, accompanied by three of the crew from his catastrophic expedition, landed after a perilous and desperate trip. Their goal was to bring a ship back to rescue the remaining crew members stranded on Elephant Island, who were engaged in their own struggle for survival. A former whaling station, now that whaling is illegal in Antarctica the principle inhabitants are penguins and seals.

More from South Georgia Island:

We are approaching Shag Rock, our first sighting of land since departing from Ushuaia. Lots of great lectures about seals, whales and other soon to be seen sights. Tomorrow, South Georgia Island, land of many penguins!! I’m taking lots of pictures, holding off on posting them, but will be filling in as we go along.

We are approaching Shag Rock, our first sighting of land since departing from Ushuaia. Lots of great lectures about seals, whales and other soon to be seen sights. Tomorrow, South Georgia Island, land of many penguins!! I’m taking lots of pictures holding off on posting them, but will be filling in as we go along.

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A last dinner, a last view from breakfast. We’re off today, headed for the Beagle Channel and out to sea. Yes, it is a once in a lifetime experience. Every day, of course, is a once in a lifetime experience. But some admittedly are more memorable than others.

After a 9 hour flight to Buenos Aires followed the next day by a 4 hour flight to Ushuaia, we are resting up before departing for the land of the penguins.

En route to Antarctica

We’re going home.

The spectacular  Federation Square complex in Melbourne, where we visited the National Gallery of Victoria.

From the exhibit of contemporary  Aboriginal Art

On New Year’s Eve we saw a show, had dinner, and having been told we’d have a great view of the skyline from our terrace, went home to wait for the fireworks.

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Facebook post, 12/31

June 1 – January 1!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~