Our next location for zodiac cruising was False Island, on the 24 January. Shown on the map below in the little red box below the 4.

False Island was first mapped in 1902, as part of a group of three islands just off Anvers Island. However, in 1945 it was determined that it was actually attached by an isthmus to nearby Vega Island. Hence the name False Island, but also known as False Point.

We had another day of pleasant sunny weather after a cloudy start. There had been a big dump of snow overnight and the decks were quite clogged but cleared away with some crew action and the sun.

We encountered quite a bit of wildlife on the zodiac cruise, no landing on this occasion. Birds, seals and whales were abundant.

At times we motored through thick ‘chopped’ up bergy bits, product of a glacial carving somewhere in the bay. A chunk of ice was plucked from the water for a close look. Very cold and translucent, with some almost glass like sections.

We had numerous humpback whale sightings. While having seen humpbacks in action before, witnessing them motoring along arching their backs, diving and waving their tails with a backdrop of snow and ice is a wonderful sight.

Lunch called when we returned to the ship and we later had a little feet up in our room to recuperate.

Late in the afternoon we commenced our sail away to the next stop but not before a pack of orcas put on display beside the ship. The Captain manoeuvred the ship around so we could get a good view of the action from the decks.

We looked back at the landscape around the Island, spectacular cliffs and craggy outcrops.

Overnight we are making our way to Lepeyrere Bay. We first made a stop at a British Research station (me thinks I need to check) to drop off some undefined ‘supplies’.

This is also the place where postcards are perhaps also dropped off for later delivery world wide. Timing of delivery is not promised. We sent some to the youngins in the family and some to ourselves because no one sends us postcards anymore!

One wonders, but the sun does go down here in Antartica circa 10.30 pm thereabouts at this time of year. Haven risen at 4am it is a long day!

Next day Lapeyrere Bay turns out to be a total change of Antartica conditions. It is cloudy and calm first off and some zodiacs get away before lunchtime. Leanne decided to have a day onboard and pulled out of the midday zodiac cruise. Wise choice! The weather changed at about the time Allthego got in the zodiac. It was windy, cold and unpleasant; but away we went into the squall, safe of course. Didn’t see anything and we were called back to the ship after twenty minutes due to increasing wind strengths. Got back ok and enjoyed the ship’s warmth.

The wet and cold mitts were hung up to dry. The stop was ultimately abandoned for safety reasons. Not much more to say, except that it is what Antartica does. Wild weather swings! Tomorrow Danco Island calls.