13th December 2007

Penguins, Antarctic Landing, & Quarantine


Good news first - I got to see my first gentoo penguins this morning. We
landed at Paradise Bay at 8:30 a.m. this morning. I wasn’t sure if my feeling
poorly was due more to having an early morning and not sleeping well, or if it
was simply due to not feeling well. I took some pictures in a restricted
environment but didn’t want to go too close to the rookeries, where the gentoo
penguins were nesting. Two gentoos came right up to us, and it was pretty
cool. They put their wings back as if they’re checking us out - and it’s
really cool to watch. As soon as I have the ability to upload photos, I’ll
show you more what they looked like.

When you get out of your Zodiac boat, they grab your forearms and pull you up,
saying “Welcome to the Continent of Antarctica”. I wondered how people feel if
they are arriving by boat to a country.

I didn’t go far up the mountain as I was not feeling well. I did not want to
get so sick that I would miss the rest of the week’s excursions, so I took it
easy. The air is so cold and wet, despite the fact that the actual temperature
was only around 32 degrees. But the wind was 22 knots and the waves were quite
choppy. They served us champagne around the corner, which was quite festive
although the last thing I wanted at that moment. I drank it to be polite, and
then handed some of it back. At one moment, as we were in the Zodiac boat, one
of the ladies that I had befriended - we joked about how we were nuts and would
gladly welcome a trip to Hawaii or Costa Rica next. I told everyone that we
were getting nice hot bubble baths when we returned - we all laughed. One man
who was on the boat only had jeans on, and they were absolutely drenched. We
knew he had to be quite cold and perhaps even totally miserable.

Who discovered Antarctica? It goes back to 1819, William Smith spotted land,
which is now the South Shetlands. He spotted land again in 1819, and landed
and placed a flag on the land. Many explorers set foot on other parts of
Antarctica shortly after that.

We’re on the ship passing through Neko Harbor on our way to our next
destination, which is Palmer Research Station. I’ve seen three icebergs with
penguins atop them. We are cruising in a no-wake environment and right now the
water is without chop at all.

So, I came back to my room, took a very hot shower, and covered myself in three
layers of comforters and blankets, afraid I was going to get sicker. I
justified my antics with the knowledge that I had seen Antarctic native
penguins for the first time and that was worth it. However, several hours
later having missed the second excursion figuring it was better to not get even
sicker, and having slept all day - I finally called the doctor. I was afraid
they would quarantine me, and surely they have. But thankfully it’s only until
we reach Palmer Research Station tomorrow. I’ve taken very few photos however,
we have three more days here and I imagine there will be plenty more photo
opps. The Russian or Eastern European doctor came to see me in my room - he
was quite cute too - so any time I have to see him, I have decided it could be
worth it.

We’ll be arriving around 7 a.m. - we should get to go around 8:30. Let’s hope
I’m feeling better.

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