Day 23
Wednesday, February 14th Valentine’s Day
Cuverville Island, Melchior Islands, Farewell Celebration
We arrived at Cuverville Island which contains the largest gentoo penguin colony in the region. Cuverville is located in the Errera Channel. We were able to kayak, the winds and the weather cooperated! We circumnavigated the island in our kayaks. We experienced the island from the water level!
As we paddled the backside of the island we saw humpback whales! They didn’t come close enough for a picture. We don’t have many pictures from paddling because our water camera had quit working and our point and shoot is long gone so the only photos we took are from our phone and we didn’t want to lose them! After our morning paddling experience was finished, we did have time to take a zodiac to the island and explore on our own!
After all of us were back on the ship, the anchor was raised and we headed to the Melchior Islands. Such beauty surrounds us as we cruise to our next stop!
We had lunch and this was going to be our last time to paddle!
At the Melchior Islands we were able to paddle around the Dallmann Bay while the rest of the passengers were on a zodiac tour. We were glad that we got to paddle here. The base pictures that you see below are of the Argentinian Base Melchior. It is a summer base that is rarely occupied but today the Argentinian flag is flying and the base is occupied!
Below is the area where we paddled.
Below are some of the photos we took with our phones. It was a beautiful afternoon for our last paddle.
How lucky we were to paddle with such a great group of people. A big thank you to our kayak guides: Todd, on the far left, and Tara, on the far right!
After returning from kayaking and the last of the zodiacs returned, we had a farewell toast to Antarctica on deck 5 aft.
Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were served and Ali gave a toast.
After the farewell to Antarctica toast, our ship entered the Drake Passage! The ship began swaying. Many passengers did not feel well again. Those of us at dinner enjoyed a Valentine’s Day themed meal and the dining room was decorated too.
Tonight’s activity was the Expedition Team hosting a charity auction!
