Cuverville Island & Neko Harbor
It’s funny how with each site we visit, one tends to think that it couldn’t get any better than this. And then the next day of our expedition comes along. Today was certainly one of those days.
We steamed into the vicinity of Cuverville Island at the head of the Errera Channel along the Antarctic Peninsula this morning. This area was originally explored by the Belgian Adrien de Gerlache in the late 1800’s, and we passed through the strait of his namesake to arrive at this absolutely spectacular destination. The early morning headwinds muted themselves and the looming clouds pulled back just in time for our morning adventures of hiking and sea kayaking. Under a shining sun, we leapt at the opportunity to paddle the still waters amidst a winter wonderland of snowy glaciers and jagged peaks. Highlights included the never-ending entertainment of swimming gentoos and the vast spectacle of shaped icebergs dotting the waterscape. On the island, hikers enjoyed the opportunity to tromp through some soft snow to a tremendous high spot overlooking the warren of icebergs floating below and the Gerlache Strait beyond.
After flipping the cabin switches to signal our arrival back aboard the National Geographic Endeavour, we enjoyed a tasty lunch while the ship pulled anchor and followed the Errera Channel into Neko Harbor. Our experienced Captain Oliver Kruess weaved the ship in and around the labyrinth of icebergs all the way up to the edge of our landing at Neko Point. Zodiac cruising and hiking on Antarctica proper.
Does it get any better than this?! Glassy waters; swimming penguins; calving glaciers; giant icebergs; sledding down the snow hill; Wilson’s Storm Petrels dancing on the water; hot chocolate (with optional bonuses); Zodiac slalom courses through the ice; seals; the delicate scent of gentoo guano; peace; stillness; and a few lobbed snowballs here and there to boot. I don’t think it can get any better.
Then again, we are on the National Geographic Endeavour. I’m certain I’ll stand corrected tomorrow.
It’s funny how with each site we visit, one tends to think that it couldn’t get any better than this. And then the next day of our expedition comes along. Today was certainly one of those days.
We steamed into the vicinity of Cuverville Island at the head of the Errera Channel along the Antarctic Peninsula this morning. This area was originally explored by the Belgian Adrien de Gerlache in the late 1800’s, and we passed through the strait of his namesake to arrive at this absolutely spectacular destination. The early morning headwinds muted themselves and the looming clouds pulled back just in time for our morning adventures of hiking and sea kayaking. Under a shining sun, we leapt at the opportunity to paddle the still waters amidst a winter wonderland of snowy glaciers and jagged peaks. Highlights included the never-ending entertainment of swimming gentoos and the vast spectacle of shaped icebergs dotting the waterscape. On the island, hikers enjoyed the opportunity to tromp through some soft snow to a tremendous high spot overlooking the warren of icebergs floating below and the Gerlache Strait beyond.
After flipping the cabin switches to signal our arrival back aboard the National Geographic Endeavour, we enjoyed a tasty lunch while the ship pulled anchor and followed the Errera Channel into Neko Harbor. Our experienced Captain Oliver Kruess weaved the ship in and around the labyrinth of icebergs all the way up to the edge of our landing at Neko Point. Zodiac cruising and hiking on Antarctica proper.
Does it get any better than this?! Glassy waters; swimming penguins; calving glaciers; giant icebergs; sledding down the snow hill; Wilson’s Storm Petrels dancing on the water; hot chocolate (with optional bonuses); Zodiac slalom courses through the ice; seals; the delicate scent of gentoo guano; peace; stillness; and a few lobbed snowballs here and there to boot. I don’t think it can get any better.
Then again, we are on the National Geographic Endeavour. I’m certain I’ll stand corrected tomorrow.
