After 36 hours crossing the infamous Drake Passage, the sight of land this morning brought a wave of excitement. The South Shetland Islands appeared on the horizon, promising our first steps into the wonders of Antarctica. Our morning landing at Barrientos Island was unforgettable. Chinstrap and gentoo penguins surrounded us, their curious waddles and lively calls filling the crisp air.
The adventure continued back on board National Geographic Endurance with Photo Instructor Fiona who presented a dynamic smartphone photography workshop. In the afternoon, Eric Guth’s fascinating lecture on the life history of snowflakes made us marvel at the intricate beauty and importance of ice, while Maya Santangelo’s presentation, “The Secret Life of Krill”, underscored the delicate balance of this extraordinary ecosystem.
In between the presentations, we all found ourselves captivated by the giant icebergs as we made our way through the Antarctic Sound.
The day culminated in a breathtaking evening Zodiac cruise as the sun began to set, followed by a short landing at Brown Bluff. As we stood on the Antarctic mainland for the first time, we were greeted by our third penguin species of the day, the curious Adelie’s.
