The uninhabited island known as Steeple Jason stands out among the archipelago of the western Falkland Islands as one of the most spectacular and thrilling to visit. The coastal flats around the rugged peaks are host to the largest breeding colony of black-browed albatrosses in the world, but the island is very exposed to the huge swells of the South Atlantic, so it can be visited only in the very best conditions. After a successful landing on this remarkable place, we moved on to New Island, where we visited another breeding site for albatross and rockhopper penguins, perched on the edge of a cliff high above the ocean that stretches from there to South America.
3/9/2023
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Approaching Ushuaia
Any true voyage contains the element of return. As we approached South America, we reflected on our voyage thus far. Nearly three weeks ago, we cast our lines from Ushuaia and sailed towards the seventh continent. We saw corners of the world privy only to a few…truly special experiences that we will hold close for our lifetimes. Seabirds circled the ship, coming in and out of our wake to pay visits. These beautiful animals wander the ocean. They are at home at sea, an alien concept to us terrestrial animals. As the day progressed, the landscape began to unravel. Snowy peaks in the distance eventually gave way to a forested landscape, quite a shock as we had not seen proper trees in weeks! For our final wildlife encounter, we spent time with a group of killer whales. Our incredible ship and bridge team allowed close and personal views of these amazing animals. Aboard the ship, we hosted presentations with topics on photography and how to take observations from our voyage and share them with the scientific community. The hotel department pampered us with delicious treats. Our much-anticipated auction was a lively hit, raising money for our crew fund and conservation on South Georgia. In the afternoon, we met our pilots on the eastern edge of the Beagle Channel. Under their guidance, we will be dockside in a few hours, the same location we departed from three weeks ago. It feels like a lifetime has passed, bursting with countless memories. Memories we look forward to taking home with us and sharing with our loved ones and the world.
