So the flight to Antarctica and transfer to the ship.



They said you needed all your gear, boots, wet pants and the parka, hat and gloves when you stepped off the plane. Only luggage you could bring was you Silversea backpack. But a few people had carryons, either they did not listen to the instructions or had things they could not risk losing.

They used three different planes so there was space onboard. Four engine jet plane. It is like a domestic first class seat. Three seats on one side and two seats on the other side. Where a couple were on the three seat side the middle seat was not assigned. Lots of leg room. They do have a Q code you can scan and there are movies and also a safety video. They served two sandwiches, a chicken and salmon sandwich. Not the best sandwiches for sure but they did have mixed fruit that was nice. The flight took 2 hours. The landing strip is gravel little stones were flying up into the air when we landed.

Getting from the plane to bus was very fast. Then a very short 5 minute drive to the beach. Then zodiacs were waiting and a very short zodiac ride to the ship. The conditions were good when we arrived, not that cold and only light wind. So it was a very quick process. The necessity for all the gear has to be in place as it could have been raining and windy which would have made a lot of difference.

At this point it is a toss up for me to either do the Drake Passage or the flight. The positives of the flight are obvious as the Drake Passage has a bad reputation. But having crossed it 18 times we only had one really rough crossing. The negatives are it takes an extra night in a very basic hotel and going through an airport again with all the security and having to have all that Antarctic gear on while flying down or carrying it and changing on the plane.

Personally I think for us we would rather spend that time on a ship in the Drake Passage than the extra overnight in the hotel and moving luggage so much. However, if you get seasick easily then the plane is probably the way to go. Which is best is determined by an individuals worry about the Drake Passage.

First landing was at Half Moon Bay. Not been here before and it was probably the hardest landing we have ever done. In order to get to the Chinstrap nesting area there was a climb with lot of rocks and quite steep in places, and it was light rain, windy, and really muddy and slippery. I found it difficult and took advantage of an expedition team member offer to assist on the steep rocky part. No sense in risking a fall on the first day. However, the best thing was the first Chinstrap chicks of the season were in the colony so a payoff for the trek to get there.

On our way to Deception Bay but the odds are we will not be able to enter the Caldera as we have 60 knot winds right now and the entrance to Deception Island is narrow.

The amazing thing is how stable this ship is with these heavy winds. You would never guess it was that windy. Dennis the photographer who we have sailed with in the past, said it is the most stable ship he has ever been on before.

AN UPDATE, we made it into the Caldera and went far further down than we ever have been before. The landing was a walk around the crater but we were "so comfortable" onboard and the conditions were not great so we did not go.