On Monday morning our adventure within an adventure began as the Norwegian Sun anchored in Punta Arenas, Chile.
We met the rest of our group in the Stardust lounge and were ushered off the ship first to catch our bus to take us to the airport. We would not know if the weather in Antarctica that day would allow us to land, until we got to the airport. We prayed.
.JPG)
You won't see this sign anywhere else.Everything seemed to be a go, so we put on special boots over our shoes,
and boarded the chartered flight for the two-hour flight due south to Antarctica.
.JPG)
The view over Cape Horn, which we had just sailed past two days earlier. It seemed like cheating to be flying over it now.
First sighting of Antarctica.
Our plane came in low and landed at the Chilean air-force base in Antarctica. Chile provides logistics for several other countries which have research stations here. This area used to be covered in snow all year round, but residents say that due to climate change the base sees much less snow for the last 9 years. I was surprised, because all the pictures of Antarctica I have seen show snow.
Neighboring research stations included the Russians, Germans, and Spanish. The Chinese were building an enormous building called The Great Wall over the next hill.
Probably one of the southern-most churches in the world, this Russian Orthodox chapel was very attractive inside.
and boarded the chartered flight for the two-hour flight due south to Antarctica..JPG)
The view over Cape Horn, which we had just sailed past two days earlier. It seemed like cheating to be flying over it now. First sighting of Antarctica. Our plane came in low and landed at the Chilean air-force base in Antarctica. Chile provides logistics for several other countries which have research stations here. This area used to be covered in snow all year round, but residents say that due to climate change the base sees much less snow for the last 9 years. I was surprised, because all the pictures of Antarctica I have seen show snow. Neighboring research stations included the Russians, Germans, and Spanish. The Chinese were building an enormous building called The Great Wall over the next hill.
Probably one of the southern-most churches in the world, this Russian Orthodox chapel was very attractive inside.We got to tour the Chilean station, and see the facilities. There was a nice big gymnasium, a little bank, post office, and souvenir shop. We mailed postcards to our parents and grandparents, who thought we sent them from home.
We took an inflatable boat over to a nearby island to visit a colony of penguins.
While waiting on the gravelly beach for our turn to go over, we enjoyed the antics of these guys.
This penguin seems to be showing off.
On board, a hearty supper was served, and we basked in the joy of completing this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We took an inflatable boat over to a nearby island to visit a colony of penguins.
While waiting on the gravelly beach for our turn to go over, we enjoyed the antics of these guys.
This penguin seems to be showing off. Mrs. Globetrotter wants me to include a chin-strap penguin.
Five hours flew by like lightening, and we walked back to the runway to board our plane.
On board, a hearty supper was served, and we basked in the joy of completing this once-in-a-lifetime experience.On the ship that night, there were dozens of all-chocolate carvings and delicacies for eating.
0 comments:
Post a Comment