Penguins everywhere
24th March, 2008I woke up this morning to the announcement looking for an extraction team to go up and help bring camp 2 down. I was lucky to extract myself out of bed!! We went through some beautiful areas today with mountains in every direction. I believe that today I took about 400 photos in all! The morning was breaking and the mountains were bright white against the blue moonlit sky. We did a morning landing at Brown station. The penguins met us and we walked in a straight line, as you do, up the gentle slope to an area of rocks. We broke up into our teams and continued our Lote sessions. After bidding goodbye to our flightless friends, we went back to the ship for our barbeque lunch! Then, it was time to get ready to go out again. We were in a most gorgeous area called Paradise Bay. This time, we actually had the option to go ashore or stay on the ship. As this was the last time that we would be going ashore on the Antarctic continent itself, I pulled myself off my bed where I was daydreaming (nearly asleep!) and went on down to the Zodiac boat. Once on land, I decided to let the group leave and climb up the mountain. I was staying on the beach with the penguins! I walked along to a secluded area, and then suddenly-PENGUINS EVERYWHERE!! I sat on the sand and just soaked in the sounds of the waves, the majestic white mountains surrounding me, and the adorable feathered guys dressed in their tuxedos! I felt like I was in a virtual Club Penguin game (well, those of you with kids might know what Club Penguin is!). I was fascinated and just watched the almost comical actions of these fluffy guys. The slipped on the snow and jumped down the rocks. Every so often, a few would come by and check me out and then walk away perplexed. There must have been more than 100 within a small area around where I sat. I felt as if I was a guest at a most special event. After an hour, I pulled myself away and walked very slowly away trying not to disturb my hosts. I then took in my surroundings once more before I made my way back to the Zodiac to go back to our floating hotel. We had a session with Robert and then dinner (all we ever do it seems is eat!). After dinner, I put the rest of my photos on my computer. I am now up to 1,376 photos JUST from Antarctica! Well, off to bed. We are leaving protected waters and I can now feel the boat. I am watching my fellow team members enjoy drinks, but all I can chance is Coca-Cola. I am wondering how I will do on Monday when we enter the Drake Passage for our return. Today, we were told that the winds are picking up and we can expect a rough passage. Boy, something to look forward to!
Good luck, Wendy. Hope it’s not too bad for you coming back. See you when you get back. Can’t wait to see all those lovely photos. The ones I’ve seen on the web are sooooooo beautiful! Take care. Paula
Posted by Paula Rollo on 03/24/08, 12:17 pm
Hi dearest Wendy, I hope it isn’t/wasn’t too bad coming back for you. You may have become used to “rolling grounds” by now? The pictured we have seen are magnificent and it will be great to see yours when you get back! It must be so sad to leave such a place behind, but you have a load of precious memories to reflect back on. We leave for Sweden tomorrow morning and there are loads of snow (I will have to dig myself up to my front door) but nothing compared to what you now are used to! :) We miss you! Love, Carina XXX
Posted by Carina on 03/25/08, 3:57 am
Dear Ms Gediman,
We are so happy you are having a great trip, what a wonderful, life-changing experience it must be! We all enjoyed your stories of the penguins - the kids were asking if it is anything like the movie “Happy Feet”?? Luca is fine and sends his love. Good luck on the trip back, hopefully you won’t need to spend quite as much time “resting”! Enjoy, looking forward to seeing you when you return!
The Daniels and Luca
Posted by The Daniels Family & Luca! on 03/25/08, 11:51 am
Hey Sis,
That sounds like fun infiltrating a secret penguin gathering. Be careful to record as much information as you can - but make sure they don’t follow you home! We’d rather have to deal with them over there than over here, right?
Are you near the Wilkins Ice Shelf? I hear a 25 mile hunk is about to break off. I’m glad at least ONE Gediman gets to see all that icy wonder before it melts away like the ice in my Carribean drink . . .
Love, Steve, Laurie and Eric
Posted by Steve Gediman on 03/25/08, 2:47 pm
HI Wendy I have enjoyed reading about your adventures and am so pleased that your trip seems to have been everything you had hoped it would be. Fingers crossed for the return journey! I hope that it’s not too hard for you. It will be hard to look at our British ‘landscape’ after all the beautiful things you have seen. Can’t wait to see you! We loved the Club Penguin comment! Love Chantal and Benjamin
Posted by Chantal Gordon on 03/26/08, 5:09 pm
Hi, We just got back from our trip to the Canaries and logged on to see your latest updates. Cannot wait to see your pictures! The penguin encounter on the beach sounds surreal. Stay safe and see you soon. love, Birgitta and Allegra
Posted by Birgitta on 03/26/08, 5:11 pm
Hi Aunt Wendy - I loved hearing about the penguins! It sounds like the adventure of a lifetime!! Mommy and Daddy and I can’t wait to see pictures and to hear more about your trip. What a wonderful opportunity. Take care and enjoy the rest of your time. Much love from the Yosemite Gedimans. Spencer, Scott and Bethany
Posted by Spencer on 03/28/08, 11:54 am
Hey Wen!!
I am so jealous of you and all the penguins you got to hang out with!! Your own real version of Happy Feet!! So lucky!!
I am so glad that you finally feel good on the boat! I think it just takes time to get used to and then you are fine. But you better not start getting land-sick!!! Hahaha. My mom is a little slow with the somputers so I will get her on and show her your blogs and how to write her own message. By the time she figures it out you’ll be back home!! We miss you very much and can NOT WAIT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES!!! I saw the videos posted…when are you going to be on one of them!?!? I miss you Wendy and love you so much. Sophie says she loves you too.
Big Kisses, Talk to you soon, Love, Ine :)
Posted by Celine Homer on 03/28/08, 3:32 pm
Wendy. This whole experience seems to have changed your life. I never thought you would make it through the sea. Im so proud of you. Do you ever want to come back to this rat race ? I cant wait to see all the photos. I love you Wen
Cynthia
Posted by Cynthia Homer on 03/28/08, 4:41 pm
Ciao Wendy, we follow you every day and look very much forward to seeing you soon. Baci Isa Nixi Alan and Sofia
Posted by Isabella Hess on 03/29/08, 12:43 pm
Dear Wendy,
We are enjoying reading all about your adventures and following the trip. Can’t wait to see your photos and hear more. Its great to learn so much about global warming and Antarctica through you!
Love, the McAlisters
Posted by The McAlisters on 03/30/08, 12:06 pm
WOW!!! How exciting. We will be following you and your adventures!
Posted by The Etheredge Family on 04/03/08, 7:03 am