Saturday: Damoy Point

 

We awoke Saturday morning to a mild 33 degree temperature.  This was our first shore landing and our goal was to view a penguin rookery.  This winds were a bit rough as we crossed the open channel in our Zodiac.

 

Our landing at Wiencke Island presented a bit of a challenge.  After sliding over the side of the Zodiac, we waded 10-yards in calf-deep water on slippery rocks.  (After two boat-to-boat transfers, this was a piece of cake.)  On the hill above is the Bahia Dorian hut (left) established by the Argentine Navy in 1953 and the British Damoy hut constructed in 1975.

It was 9:30 am as Jan began the 1/2 mile trek in full artic gear across the snowy terrain toward a penguin rookery. 

Two rookeries are seen here, one on the left and a second on the hilltop beyond.  Hundreds of penguins nest in each rookery located on rocky high ground exposed to as much sun as possible.  In the summer hatching season, the high ground allows water from melting snow to flow away from the rookery.  Cold water would prevent the eggs from hatching.

Perhaps the penguins learned a long time ago that a home with a view has a higher value!

 After the breeding season (which ends in March) the penguins leave Antarctica and swim north to warmer climates for the winter.  (Remember, we are below the equator and the seasons are reversed.)  This penguin seems to be dreaming of a way north in more luxury than swimming 2,000 miles.

After lunch, we boarded an SOB (Special Operations Boat) excursion.  These 35 foot military grade boats carry 12 passengers and because of their speed can cover significant distances for viewing different venues.  We boarded the SOB in the "hanger" located on the lower deck that houses all of the operational boats and submarine.

The SOB launches from a ramp at the stern of the Octantis.  

The difference of riding in the SOB and a Zodiac can be compared to riding in a Cadillac vs. an off-road 4WD. The SOB travels easily at 45 kts. with the luxury of individual bucket seats.

On the excursion, we passed Argentinian Station "W"(on the left) and a British station on the right.  Station "W" offers the only postal service on Antarctica with an Antarctic postmark.  Everyone on our ship "mailed" a postcard home from here.  The mailing came with the warning that delivery may require up to seven months!

P.S.  Internet service has been difficult the past few days and thus the lack of postings.  That should improve during the remainder of the voyage.