Decided to write a little as we go along so if we luck out and get internet I will have my post ready to publish on LCT. The trick for those of you who do not know this yet, if there is FOX reception on a cruise ship TV then there is an internet connection
August 5 – catching up on events so far---
Ken may try and post pictures but there may not be explanations to go with them as we really are lucky to get anything out. When we posted the picture of Ralph and me we had others ready but lost internet.
Yesterday afternoon we did a zodiac tour of Bear Island. Fabulous scenery with nesting birds on steep cliffs of many varieties. Highlights were going through a cave and seeing the new chicks that literally fall from the cliffs to join the fathers as they prepare to leave and go to sea. We did not see any take that huge leap from the cliffs but saw some little ones in the water.
Last night was the Captains welcome aboard cocktail party and dinner. Most men had jackets but those that did not (Ken included) were welcomed warmly and it was not a big deal. We had a WONDERFUL meal with a main of Lobster and filet mignon, an outstanding dinner. We enjoyed a celebration of Jim and Pats anniversary. It was a great night. We stayed up too late visiting and did not go to bed until about midnight. Where the energy comes from when you feel pooped I do not know.
This morning we slept in and the ship had two lectures but they were shown on TV live so we could see these from our cabin. A nice lunch of LAMP CHOPS (yes I was happy) and a game of pooch. Winners today were Jim T and Gary.
Our initial plan was to land and see a group of walrus. Problem was they saw two polar bears on the island so that means NO landing. Instead we did another zodiac ride and went to see one of the polar bears that had wandered down closer to the shore and a small group of walrus on the beach. During lunch we could see the bear walking around but by the time we got there he had run out of energy and was sleeping on the rocks. There was one walrus that was more fun raising his head out of the water. We were all hoping he would haul himself on land to join the walrus already on the shore but he did not oblige us. We got reasonably close to him about 100 yards I am terrible judging distances. You really needed binoculars to see the animals well.
At the recap tonight we were told due to the perfect weather and ice conditions we are going to circumnavigate not just the main Island of Spitzbergen but go around the permanent eastern ice cap of Austfonna on the island of Nordaustlandet (names for Marc who will look this up on a map and I am sure he may like to do that). No ship has done for two years and this is new territory for many of the expedition staff as well. They are all really excited about this opportunity. Supposedly the chance of excellent polar beat sighting is really high for tomorrow in this area.
We had a nice dinner tonight with the expedition staff everyone enjoyed this evening. This is one of the best expedition teams I have ever encountered. Robin (a female) enchanted us with her wonderful stories of Antarctica where she lived for four months. Ice diving and her encounter with a leopard seal, out on a snowmobile when a blizzard came up and she huddled in front of her snowmobile and all the penguins huddled around her as well as they just sought the biggest “rock†they could find for protection. The other two tables also had a great time with their expedition team members. Juan Carlos the “rock†guy who is really nice was actually a zodiac driver when we were all on the Explorer ll on ICE. Food was great with a wonderful veal loin and also a great sea trout.
August 6, 2010
Today we woke up at 7.30 am to do a landing, dead calm outside but the landing was cancelled due to fog, it is too dangerous for us to land without having visibility to see Polar Bears in the area. Back for a quick snooze while we waited for the fog to lift. No such luck so on we sailed to a huge glacier. The sun was shining not a ripple on the water with zero wind. Spectacular scenery the cameras were clicking away. After we left the glacier some of us had a quick game of pooch finally I won a game.
Then we had a nice lunch, mixed grill, salmon and other wonderful goodies. The food has been really great.
After lunch we headed to Alkefjeller an area of a large colony of guillemots perched on sheer rock cliffs, over 10,000 breeding pairs. The ship came really close and we drifted sideways in front of this magnificent rock formation. Every tiny ledge was covered with birds I am sure Ken got some good pictures but no picture could do this scene justice. It was different than being in a zodiac as we were at the same height as some of the nesting birds rather than looking up at them from the water. They look like penguins and there was a pink algae in the snow that look like “penguin poopâ€. Thought I was on the wrong end of the planet! The weather was again perfect, no wind, bright sunshine the expedition team were very excited about the conditions and had their cameras out as well.
