The World’s Antarctica Expedition: A polar plunge in Neumayer Channel

Early one morning we cruised into the Neumayer Channel and had some spectacular views as we took our walk on Deck 12. We dropped the anchor in Hidden Bay for the “polar plunge” and couldn’t believe our luck with the clear skies.

We were scheduled to go to Port Lockroy that afternoon and even though we had been there on our last trip, today we were stopping first at a gentoo penguin colony nearby. Our group was the last to go but it was such a gorgeous day we didn’t mind.
As we arrived at the landing we could see whalebones peeping through the melting snow, a relic from the bygone whaling station here.

Landing at Jougula Point on Minke Island

Ancient whale bones

It was actually a pretty warm day (low 40s) and we walked through slushy snow to see more of the colony as well as the blue-eyed shags with their chicks.

Shags, also known as cormorants

Trying to cool off on the ice

Having a conversation with a penguin

Love the feet!!

After we had seen enough of the penguins and birds we took another Zodiac over to the museum and store at Port Lockroy. This trip was mainly to add to our souvenir purchases from a week ago.

Buildings at Port Lockroy, “Base A”

Back on the ship we had an evening in and more ice and “sunset” pictures from the balcony.