We woke up to a clear day with remarkable blue skies on the Drake Passage. The gentle conditions combined with the capabilities of National Geographic Resolution made for a smooth sailing across this famous body of water. Crossing the Drake has become a rite of passage that sets the tone of our adventure exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. In the morning, we met the expedition team and learned about the birds that we hope to see on our voyage. After lunch, the photography team presented two interesting talks with tips and useful information that helped us prepare for capturing the best moments of our upcoming experience. At the end of our day, expedition leader Dan gave us an overview of our first day of operations in the South Shetland Islands, followed by Captain Heidi, who warmly welcomed us all to the ship and introduced us to the crew. We are all looking forward to our first sightings of the White Continent and are more than ready for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
12/5/2024
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National Geographic Resolution
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.
