We sailed toward Booth Island and reached our expedition destination, Port Charcot. This is the location where the first French expedition led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot wintered in 1904 aboard Le Français. Today the conditions were perfect, and upon landing we hiked up to the 120-year-old cairn left by the members of this extraordinary French expedition and marvelled at the panoramic views from the top. We also lowered our Zodiacs into the water for a wonderful cruise exploring the magnificent iceberg graveyard in the waters around Booth Island and in the bay near Pléneau Island. We were more than happy to see the sunshine and blue skies unveiling the magnificent towering peaks and steep glacial cliffs, offering some of the most scenic views of our voyage.
12/5/2024
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Marguerite Bay, Antarctica
Early this morning, there was an amazing sunrise over the distant mountains. Eventually when the ship awoke many hours later, we found ourselves parked in the fast ice of Marguerite Bay in Bourgeois Fjord. Shortly after breakfast, we disembarked the “penguin doors” and stepped out directly onto the fast ice. Some took off cross country skiing and others explored on foot. There were many crab eater seals around, perhaps as many as 200, in a variety of groups. It was a spectacular morning with almost no wind and blue skies. After a productive morning, the hotel department treated us to a barbecue lunch and a doughnut bar which some guests chose to eat on the outer decks of the ship, enjoying the amazing scenery. In the afternoon, we made a landing on the rocky terrain of Horseshoe Island to visit British Base Y which was established in 1955 by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey. In the evening, as we sailed north through Marguerite Bay, we enjoyed amazing scenery and after dinner we explored a narrow and scenic passage called The Gullet. It was a most memorable, enjoyable, and adventurous day here in Antarctica, and we’re all looking forward to tomorrow.
