Deception Island and a Tour of the Ship's Bridge

Deception Island and a Tour of the Ship's Bridge - Nov 21, 2019

November 23, 2019

Linda went down to the Science Center this morning to check on her penguin. They are all still locked in the case drying. Hers is the chinstrap at the back on the right side, or at least she thinks it's that one. I can understand your confusion because if you've seen one chinstrap you have seen them all as they all look the same.

We are spending the day inside Deception Island, which is a caldera of a volcano that has been invaded by the sea. I took this photo later in the day after we had left the island, but at least it gives an idea of its shape.

This view is looking through the narrow entrance with the snow-covered far side in the distance.

There is also a "gotcha" in the entrance as there is a rock in the center of the entrance channel that is only 8 feet below the surface.

In the late 1960s volcanic eruptions caused the abandonment of several scientific stations.

We weren't the only vessel inside the cold era this morning.

Linda has learned it is far better to be over prepared then to be under-prepared when going ashore in Antarctica. Given what she looks like she still thinks she has too much skin exposed.

Everyone has their own method of warding off the cold off their face, including the gentleman at the right who is using the natural method.

Two cameras, two photos of the same crabeater seal, one with penguins and one without.

The first climb up from the beach was the hardest.

Most people took one or two walking sticks. Since I've hardly used the walking sticks I've taken on previous landings, I opted to without and it proved to be no hindrance. That's me with the day pack beside the expedition team member in yellow.

Linda starting up the slope.

It almost looks like my arms are not real, they are so symmetric, being raised in triumph of making it to the top without a single slip and no walking stick.

It was at this point that Linda decided to call it quits and stay on the beach rather than climb the slippery slope.

The next seven photos were taken by Linda from the level of the beach. She sure took some great photos of the penguins, better than any that I've taken. Awesome Linda.

Once I'd reached the top and turned around, this was the view looking out towards the entrance. Antarctica can display a lot of gray in both the sea and the sky, but when the sun comes out it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Walking along the edge of the ash high above the water.

Selfie of the day.

Much of snow on the island is dark due to volcanic dust.

By the time I returned to the snow covered slope which led down to the beach the expedition team members had cut snow steps in the steepest section.

This really isn't a place for people who are unsteady on their feet, as you can almost always see someone who has fallen.

Up you come!

In the late afternoon we joined others in our group on a visit to the bridge. The Captain is a real cool dude.

Linda is a real curious dudette.

The bridge has those extensions that project out from the side of the bridge for use when docking. They not only have windows looking out, they also have them in the floor.

Just like the glass floor in the Tower Bridge in London..

In case you wondered how many were aboard. The staff is the number of the members on the expedition team.

We were in good hands as we approached the exit to the caldera.

The amount of electronics in the bridge is unreal, and there seems to redundant systems for everything.

It was hard to get Linda's attention to take this photo. Bad Bob.

Dangerous but beautiful.

Love the color of the water.

I stayed on our balcony while Linda went out on the bow of the ship during the exit passage.

The snow is already melting in may areas of the island which will accelerate, making the island look considerably different to those who visit during the Antarctic summer of the next 3 months.