Day #13 Glacier

Again a quote from Michael Wilcox - "Glaciers poured through the valleys wedged between mountain walls which bore that tremendous pressure in the constant struggle between ice and stone. Here was the whitest white nature brings forth. Here shone the purest light, one which magnifies the distance and gives everything within the range of the eyes a translucent clarity. Here the most pristine waters rose and fell in the gentle ocean swell."

Day #12 Sunsets

Just one of many incredible sunsets in Antarctica!

Although the sun technically 'set' every night, it never got dark. There were a few hours of twilight until the sun was up again. It is 11:34 at night in this picture and that is natural light coming in through the window.

Pictures had an almost magical quality!

Day #11 - 'Hot' tubs!

We had a great idea for a photo....the four of us in the hot tub with the Antarctic as a backdrop. Only one problem with that idea! The 'hot tub' on the outside deck was anything but HOT. I'd say just barely above the temp of the Antarctic water. Since we didn't want to become icebergs ourselves, we just stuck our legs in.The hot tub on the enclosed deck lived up to its name and was a fun place to warm up!

Day #10 Icebergs

To quote Michael Wilcox, "The light played upon the surface of the icebergs displaying blues that put the sky to shame and inviting a dozen new shades into the wheel of color."

Day #9 Seals

These two seals seemed to be enjoying an afternoon hanging out on an iceberg! One was calmly napping while his buddy checked out all the tourists with cameras.

Seals on icebergs became common place! Hardly worth the effort of using the zoom lens!

The spotted guy is a leopard seal....a dangerous predator in these waters.

I suppose that seals are only predators in the water, not while sharing a pleasant afternoon on an iceberg! Maybe these are just especially brave penguins! Maybe they are playing "chicken'!

I do think seals are cute. Maybe not quite as cute as penguins but definitely cute!

Day #8 Sunny Antartica

I thought it was beautiful the first day when it was cloudy....and it was.... but with blue skies and sun it was simply breathtaking.

Day #7 - Antarctica!!!!

We crossed the Drake Passage, which is supposedly the roughest patch of water in the world, a day early. Our wise Captain decided to skip our last port in Argentina and make the crossing ahead of a storm that was reported to have 30 - 40 foot swells. I was thankful to have this calm Dutch gentleman in charge, instead of a showboating Italian. Chilling to read about the tragedy of the cruise ship in Italy while on a cruise ship!

I woke up early, looked out the window and got my first glimpses of the White Continent - Antarctica!

Day #6 Penguins!!!!

I think penguins prove that God likes to laugh! 

You have to smile watching them! They are just so darn cute!

Day # 5 Amalie Glacier

Looks cold huh?

Day # 4 Rain and waterfalls!

We felt right at home looking at a waterfall in the rain! We were in Chile but it looked and felt a lot like Oregon!

Day #3 Cleaned up!

Our tour guide from Texas said, " Y'all shore do clean up good!" I felt like I was going to the prom! It was a really fun formal evening!

Day #2-at sea!

I did it! I am on a cruise ship!

Anyone who says that you can't feel a big cruise ship move is not being honest. Here's a poem my lunch companions came up with today for my blog.

It has been a moving experience

I've had my ups and downs

But it has been swell.

I say thank heavens for motion sickness patches and spectacular sunsets!

Day #1

Santiago, Chile

I love traveling with my beautiful,cheerful sister-in- law, Katherine. Here we are at  a huge statue of the Virgin Mary high on the hill overlooking Santiago.

Brothers George and John are good traveling companions too!