An Antarctic cruise on Silver Explorer is no place for naps — or even sleep. Sure, you can rest if you want to, but there are two things that may keep you from slipping into slumber.
The first is the length of the day. I’m not sure when the sun rises and sets, but the times would be of no consequence. It does not get dark. The curtains in our suite can darken the room when we’re ready to catch some Z’s, but it’s too tempting to walk out onto our veranda — at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., to admire the sunny scenery.
The second thing that will curb your desire to doze is the quality (and quantity) of the activities offered. All excursions are offered on a complimentary basis, so the cost of participating need not be a consideration. Should you want to nap, however, you’d need to ask yourself, “What do I miss?” For me, the answer is nothing. I want to experience it all, with one possible exception that I will get to in just a moment.
I’ve enjoyed the hiking, the rigorous climb yesterday, wildlife observation, zodiac excursions — and much more. What impresses me is that although we are only midway through our voyage, we have had a range of rich experiences. You’ve heard of super foods? Well, this may be the super cruise. The experiences are concentrated and come at us several times daily, thoroughly nutritious for the spirit and soul.
Aside from scenic cruising, whale spotting and the like, we’ve had at least two off-the-ship excursions each day that we have been in Antarctica. From hikes to climbs to peering at penguins and zipping around on zodiacs, we experience new adventures, and peak experiences, frequently.
This morning, we transited the Lemaire Channel, a first for the season, said Kara, Silver Explorer’s Expedition Team Leader. The cruise was exceptionally scenic with Silver Explorer parting chunks of ice as we plowed through the channel at slow speeds.
The activity I did not do? The Polar Plunge. Call me a wimp. I’m okay with that. Nearly 50 others were not wimps. They plunged. Consider the setting and the courage it took. With Silver Explorer anchored, a zodiac was secured at the gangway so that it functioned as a floating platform. Wearing nothing more than bathing suits, one at a time, the plungers jumped into the sea, which was a teeth-chattering 30°F (-1°C) this morning, with a 24°F (-4°C) air temperature.
Descriptions from those who dove? “Horrifyingly cold.” “Like a thousand tiny bee stings.” One Asian couple could say nothing at all — in English or in their native language — they only giggled at one another.
In the afternoon, we boarded zodiacs to visit Vernadsky Station, a research station operated by the government of the Ukraine. About 20 people are stationed here in this remote outpost. They came last April and will return to the Ukraine next April. The researchers gave us guided tours, ending with visits to the research station’s bar and the world’s southernmost souvenir shop.
We were told that researchers at this station discovered the hole in the ozone, but perhaps that was when it was a British station (in 1996, the Brits sold the research station to the Ukrainians for £1). The Ukrainian researchers make a pretty mean vodka, which we could purchase for $3 a shot. Those who wished could also send postcards to friends and family for the cost of the card and postage. Kara, our expedition team leader, said she sent one from here, and it arrived at her home back in Fairbanks, Alaska, a year later, through Kiev.
All in all, it was another great day in Antarctica. Only two full days remaining before we begin our return across the Drake Passage on Thursday evening and back to Ushuaia. I plan to suck up all that I can between now and then. Who knows when, and if, I will get here again? One thing is certain, I’m certainly glad I made it here once in my life.
