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Deception Island also had an unusually high number of birds. Here, you see an Antarctic Tern in flight. They are so graceful; it's as if they are glowing from within. Please full view this photo. :0)
As I mentioned in another tip, the volcano of Deception Island had last erupted in 1969. Here you see the force of the lava destroying the very foundations of these whaling faciltiies-- to the point where they're all standing tilted now and wheels are submerged in the solidified lava!I found walking on the black, solidified lava to be an interesting experience because it was so soft and bouncy-- almost as if one was jumping on a massive bouncy castle!Although you are not allowed to enter the buildings, the one in the picture here is the exception. You can go in and experience the fantastic acoustics by shouting/singing. Be amazed at how your voice resonates!
We were also very lucky in that there was actually steam rising from the ground due to thermal activity underneath!! Well, considering that we had a streak of bad/so-so weather in Antarctica proper, our bad luck had to run out sooner or later I suppose.Here you see a staff member by a zodiac.
This is Neptune's Window, where people stood when they first spotted Antarctica back in the 1800s! We've actually been very lucky to see this. According to our expedition staff, Neptune's Window is typically hidden from view due to fog in 8 out of 10 landings!
We're safely anchored inside the caldera while two Chinstrap penguins watch on. Don't take landings at Deception Island for granted. As mentioned in the previous tip, there is only 100m of clearance. Also, the waters are so shallow that ships have been known to run aground here. The most recent incident was in 2006, I think.I wonder what the penguins are talking about? Something along the following perhaps?Penguin A: Ahoy, matey! There be a ship yonder!Penguin B: Pillage, I say!:p
Deception Island is so named because from afar it looks like a solid land mass but in reality it has a hollow center (the volcano crater). Aside from the cool name, it is known for a few other things. Firstly, it is made of a caldera from a recently active volcano. The last eruption was in 1969, a blink of the eye in volcanic terms! Also, it was once a thriving whaling station (ewww) and it is also where, according to legend, humans first spotted Antarctica whilst standing at Neptune's Window (more of this in another tip). Although it was generally known even back in 1828 that there was an entrance into the caldera where ships can be anchored, the opening (called Neptune's Bellows) was so very narrow that ships would often have to sail around the island twice to even spot it. With 100m for clearance, it really doesn't leave a lot of room for mistakes.
Part of the beauty of Antarctica is the weather which is so transient. You'd have overcast skies one minute, then brilliant patches of blue the next. This is the last shot I took before leaving Half Moon Island to embark on our return journey across the Drake Passage. A powerful gust of wind simply spread the clouds apart, revealing a majestic mountain peak in the distance. Sometimes, you just have to stand there and take it all in.
Quark Expeditions organized 9 landings/major zodiac cruises for us. the schedule was so packed at the end we felt properly like expedition veterans!Here's an overview of the 10-day itinerary (actually, we did all of this in 4 days since the rest was spent *surviving* the Drake Passage)1. Cuverville Island2. Almirante Brown Station/Paradise Bay3. Lemaire Channel4. Pleneau Bay5. Petermann Island6. Vernadsky Station7. Port Lockroy/Jougla Point8. Neumayer Channel9. Neko Habour (absolute favourite!!)10. Deception Island11. Half Moon IslandTo see my trip's exact path through Antarctica, click on the map to above :)I'll be posting tips on each of the above~
Itchy nose?Fur seals keep their fins very well hidden-- it practically disappears into its body when it doesn't use them! And suddenly, a fin popped out from the middle of nowhere when this fur seal felt the need to scratch its nose. I guess we all feel itchy from time to time.
At our landing, we saw one lonely Macaroni penguin sitting on the highest rock by the sea on Half Moon Island. According to our expedition team, there is always (curiously enough) one single Macaroni penguin on this island every year. I've also read other travellers' accounts of seeing a lone Macaroni here on Half Moon Is. How strange! And here it sits like a lonely monarch with its royal subjects/trumpeters hailing its name...
Reviews and photos of Antarctica attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Antarctica sightseeing.
Q: Hello, I'm so excited about my trip to Antarctica on 2/19 on Quark. Questions for those who've been there - 1. packing -...
A: There is a tiny place on Deception Island, where the ground is so hot that you can dig out a hole and let the sea-water in that will allow you to take a bath in hot...
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