Out of the zodiac, onto the mainland

A wake-up call alerts everyone just before sunrise that all hands on deck as we are about to enter iceberg alley. An extremely windy, cold morning proved just the right opportunity to test our Canada Goose jackets. Robert was on the top deck and greeting everyone and explaining where we were. The images we saw were breath-taking. It is hard to explain but they seemed too perfect, as if someone had taken these massive icebergs and placed them perfectly in this area. We were able to get up close and personal with these as these icebergs went straight down in the water. We also learned that at some point in the middle of the night, we passed the area where the ship, Explorer, had hit a growler (underwater iceberg) and sank.

After breakfast, the morning was full of activities involving Leadership on the Edge programs. The program was interrupted to let us go outside and view the incredible sights. We passed the whole way through the Antarctic Sound, having to break through several patches of ice to get there. We got to the Weddell Sea and turned back around and went back through to get the Brown Bluff. We went on-shore at Brown Bluff and had a group meeting. Robert made a speech so everyone knew how special a moment this truly was. He said, “we are one of a group of about 150,000 people that have stepped foot on the continent of Antarctica. A big, single soccer game can hold 120,000 people so think how few people have really been here.” After Robert’s speech, there was a silence among the group as reality set in where we are. After a hike up the mountain to take group photographs, we headed back to the ship.

I had the privilege of having dinner with Robert and we discussed many things including Akzo Nobel and the expedition as well. I must admit that it was a truly memorable dinner to have with him while he is in HIS environment. After dinner, we heard Robert give Part 2 of his presentation. The group was captivated, even more than last night. We have another night of traveling, this time on the Bransfield Strait.

Early night to bed, as I will join Robert on the ship’s bow before sunrise…………….