19th – Just keep swimming…

The morning started with us entering Deception Island in good weather. Apparently the volcano is highly overdue for another eruption – but the eruption is via points along the wall not one large in the center. When it’s low tide (we arrived at high tide) you can see fumes/evaporating water due to the heat under the ocean floor. The spot where we landed is called Port Foster with a long history of whaling. We had a look around in glorious conditions after which it was time for the traditional polar plunge. 

Port Foster.

There were still whale bones lying around. 

Walking on the beach, with Neptune's Window seen in the distance.

A view from Neptune's Window of the caldera.

The ship to the left was a science vessel.

A colorful... blob.

Sensible as I am I chose to stay dry and photograph the insanity instead. There was a lonely penguin standing on the shore when the bathers came running into the water which nearly resulted in it getting run over. Our expedition leader mentioned later that there was no need to worry as he had seen it pop out of the water further down the beach looking unhurt albeit a bit rustled (though he did politely but sternly remind us during the briefing that we are the invaders here and we should be respecting the local wildlife, not the other way around).

Some people prepare by taking selfies.

Notice the penguin in the background.

And they're off!

The penguin can now be seen two people from the left in the back, having a really bad day.

All the way in.

And then quickly back out again.

During lunch we relocated once more, this time to Half Moon island where we arrived at 1500. There were – obviously – more penguins and otherwise some beautiful views of surrounding ice and snow and glaciers. We were told when reaching the beach that a rock less than 50m away often couldn’t be seen due to fog, and it would be considered clear weather if you could see 300m. We had, as usual, perfectly clear weather to the horizon.

Look at that mustache!

Dinner was outdoor barbecue; a bit chilly but great food with an equally great view. Afterwards a documentary about the post office and penguins was shown after which most of us went to bed as we had been recommended to get up tomorrow at 0330 at sunrise to see the tabular icebergs when entering the Weddell Sea.

Barbecuing on the ship.