Cierva Cove and Mikkelson Harbour Antarctica

Two crabeater seals on a floe.

Really old hard blue ice.

A lone sealion male.

Absolutely beautiful ice formations!

Standing on the mainland of the Antarctica Pennisula!!

Gentoo rookeries.

The red jackets certainly make for great colour in a white world.

Mating calls.

An Antarctic flumer.

Territorial disputes.

Friday, November 8^th.

After wakeup and breakfast we were called up to load into the Zodiacs. Today we were going on a Zodiac cruise through the ice of Cierva Cove. It was unbelievably beautiful. Just magical and awe inspiring. Exactly would you would want here. Beautiful sunny blue sky, calm water, majestic snow-covered mountains, gorgeous pieces of ice and stunning blue water. It could not have been better. Our driver was John and he took us to see two crabeater seals on an ice flow, a fur seal on another and numerous penguins porpoising. We would have loved to have seen orca, but no complaints at all. We also stopped at numerous ice flows and marvelled at their structures and colours. Half of us went out while the other half waited their turn. We were out for almost two hours. When the others went out we hung out on the outside decks enjoying the incredible weather and views.

While we were having lunch we sailed to our next location. When we arrived we loaded up into Zodiacs for the trip to Mikkelson Harbour where there were several Gentoo penguin rookeries. We wandered around watching the action, turf squabbles, courtship, mating, sliding, calling, and just walking around. The penguins are a lot of fun to watch and quite comical.

Then back to the ship again, where the captain immediately hoisted anchor and we set off in a hurry.

We relaxed and hung out in the Expedition Lounge before dinner. After that we were told that the plans had changed due to incoming weather and we were going to change course. In the morning we will have a very early wakeup call at 3:30! So, we went on deck to watch the sunset and then sensibly headed off to bed.