Today was a magical last day, one that will dance around in our hearts and minds for a long time to come. We began the day sailing into an active caldera, Deception Island, which last erupted in 1969 and wears the scars of its many eruptions inside the main caldera. Intrepid, sweaty hikers climbed to the top of the most recently formed caldera, while others, enjoying a more contemplative pace, explored Caldera Lake.
In the afternoon, we were serenaded by the Antarctic symphony at Snow Hill: elephant seals belching and scratching during their catastrophic molt, nesting southern giant petrels, and a few wandering chinstrap and gentoo penguins. It was a magical day to take home in our memories as we begin our journey north through the Drake Passage.
