Well it just keeps getting better. Up early, to breakfast, suit up, and we’re the first ones out in the Zodiacs at Ciera Cove, south of Trinity Island n the Peninsula. Amazing ice floes in unbelievable shapes about. Earlier we saw a military ship which was confirmed as Argentine Navy going to a nearby outpost, probably taking folks back as the summer is ending. We saw a whole group of Gentoo penguins arrayed on a hillside, from a distance just black specks, then we got closer and we could hear and eventually smell them. A whole group was down at the shore, others were climbing up or down the rocky path to the upper, safer area. Some of the ones on the shore dove in swam around near us, they “porpoised” several times where they go quickly in and out of the water at the surface. They swam toward us, then away, Thena back again, then toward another location. we continued on, saw some icebergs with an amazing deep blue color in the crevices, maybe this is the real ultramarine. We then saw a leopard seal, alone on an ice floe that was curved like a hammock, who moved, stretched, raised her flippers, looked at us quite a bit as we went silent and stayed still, as they are sensitive to movement. The guide confirmed that this was a young female, as they are often solitary. She kept a close watch onus as we circled around at a distance. Once she yawned widely and we could see her fearsome teeth, capable of eating a penguin. The bullet-shaped, lizard-like head was so apparent. As we were called back to the ship, we saw a Minke whale a ways away, who then swam near us. The whale came by the side of the Zodiac and spouted, circled, and then went under the boat. Our guide, Georgia, had her GoPro under the water and was able to film the whale going by. I think I saw her eye under the water as she went by the side of the boat … it was thrilled to again be so close to these huge mammals.
Back to the ship, and tie for laundry. I manage to rig up a second clothesline and did underwear and socks in the sink and the shower. We’ll how long these take to dry! Another nice lunch, and then time to get ready for the afternoon activities. I ordered lunch up to the room for Barney.
Barney started feeling not at all well, so we went down to the doctor. He has a virus which is going around the ship, body aches, fever, congestion, coughing, temperature shifts, etc., but apparently not bacterial so no antibiotics, just Advil and Tylenol. His forehead was so hot, just burning up. I let him snuggled under the covers and went on the afternoon Zodiac and landing at ……. After a short ride, we landed on a rocky cove, and climbed the snowy hill, much easier than the icy hill of the day before. There were huge numbers of chinstrap penguins, in three different areas. I only went partway up the hill, some others went all the way to the top but they were slipping a sliding, and since I was solo I did not want to risk it. The penguins were a delight to watch … waddling around in that adorable way, jumping up and down the hillside, and then two of them seemed to have a dispute and were slapping each other with their flippers! These are all getting ready to go to sea soon (this is the last trip of the season) and most are born this past season, so they seem happy to stay on land for a while. There are big area of reddish guano on the rocky stops of the hills where the snow has already blown away. Some of the penguins did head for the water and we watched them swim out ahead of us for a bit.
Back to the room, Barney was asleep and still very hot to the touch. I brought him some tea and we chatted for a bit. The daily menus are published on a page on the iPad attached to the wall so we can figure out his room service order for meals. I went up to the recap and met up with the Aussies and two American brothers, enjoyed a nice dinner with them, then back to the room with more tea for Barney. Very glad I got to be out and about today, but sad that he missed a full day in Antarctica. We have turned north and are headed back toward the tip of the peninsula.
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