Tuesday, January 5, 2016: Exploring Cuverville Island, the Errera Channel and Neko Harbor 

Weather Forecast: partly cloudy; temperature approximately 28°F with windchill 20°; light breeze 5 knots

Experienced some more firsts today. The first whale sighting, first kayaking and first time not being connected to the outside world. Never stops amazing me how little we are in this universe as we explore the end of the earth.

We started in Cuverville Island, situated at the northern end of the Errrera Channel. Or least I was told so, as we spent the morning attempting to connect back home and catch up on work. I did take a break to walk on the top deck and saw my first whale. He only afforded me a tale view but I did have my camera ready.

Icebergs, glaciers and mountains surround us. Everything is so pure and untouched by humans, it makes you want to stay forever. But Captain Dag had a different plan as we sailed through Errera Channel to reach Neko Harbor.

This beautiful embayment in the coast of Andvord Bay is a perfect place to set out in a kayak. Although we have previously kayaked, this is the first time there wasn’t a landing beach to board. Two inflatable Zodiac boats took twenty passengers and two guides to the middle of the harbor where we boarded the kayaks. We paddled upwind through clear, gentle cold waters passing penguins, icebergs and ice floes before allowing the wind to bring us back to the ship.

We ordered our first #guacaroundtheworld (shout out to our witty and creative niece Danielle who penned our favorite hashtag on Instagram).

This photo was taken at 12:30 am (00:30 ship time) and I’m not sure if it was the sunrise or the sunset as I never did see the sun cross the horizon.

Bon Mot for today: “an Antarctic expedition is the worst way to have the best time of your life.” – Apsley Cherry-Garrard (member of Scott’s 1910-13 Expedition)