Dallmann Bay

 November 7

SURPRISE - Blue skies awaited us in Dallmann Bay

We left Damoy Point yesterday not really knowing what the plan was for today with the promise of a morning meeting.  At 10 am we met in the Aula, the theatre-like meeting room which has a floor-to-ceiling screen that can be raised to reveal windows showing a panoramic view off the end of the ship.

Marc explained to us that we would be traveling to Dallmann Bay today because the weather and winds were favorable.  The alternative would have been to sail north to the islands north of Antarctica and not return.  NO.  Everyone applauded when he said we were staying local.  Many, like me wondered why we had sailed east around the island (see map below) instead of going through the channel.  The reason was because the channel was blocked with ice and in fact late last night two other expedition ships from other companies radioed the Viking Polaris that they were trapped amidst the ice.  YIKES!  Good choice to sail around the island in open waters (less than ideal for sleeping!).  Today we will be doing zodiac cruises, but no landings.  And the forecast with the current winds call for the ice to blow out of the channel enabling us in the coming days to duck down into the channel and then into the bays along the continent proper (not the outer islands of the continent like yesterday and today).  I thought I’d share the gear we wear under our warm weather clothing – sock liners and wool socks; glove liners with gloves; longjohn shirt and pants; and note that the parka has a lined inner coat (ours to keep).

Dress for success - which in Antarctica means staying warm

That's a NICE view out our stateroom window

And THAT is a nice view for lunch!

Our expedition voyage we met in the launching area and were soon boarded onto a zodiac.  There were seven of us as we set out to get up close and personal with the ice bergs and the gigantic glacier the ship was sitting near.  Won’t lie – the speed of the zodiac in the open waters, when you’re just hanging on to a rope as you bob up and down off the waves is “interesting” to say the least.  But once we reached the ice – WOW, squared!

Here we go!

That's a huge ice berg - at least 30 feet tall and 50 yards or more long

The zodiacs exploring the glacier

One section of the glacier wall - just massive

Further along the glacier - note the "holes" and carvings

The zodiacs move in closer

Further along the glacier wall.....looks like a cave :)

Close up view of the "glacier cave"

We were out on the water for about 45 minutes then returned (at an even faster pace, oh my!)  then went for a drink – where saw a great sunset on the water through the big picture window of the Explorer’s Lounge.  Then had another wonderful meal at our favorite spot, Manfredi’s.  I have found a new wine that’s a favorite, “La Linda!”