Our morning started off leisurely, allowing plenty of time to embrace the beautiful views of Cape Sobral Bay as we prepared to make landfall. This particular morning excursion was more relaxed than previous experiences. With options to do a light hike with a guide, meditate in a designated area, or roam freely within the markers, we planned accordingly. With every disembarkation, there were always options for more advanced hikes but because we didn't sign up for those excursions in the beginning of our trip, we never took part in these activities.
After a nice breakfast in the Gastronomic Restaurant, we dressed in our Antarctic gear and boarded a zodiac for a short ride to shore. We were nearing the end of our journey through Antarctica and I was already feeling sad that we only had a few more zodiac cruises left. It was a liberating feeling being in these small motorized boats, coasting along the frigid waters, not knowing what kind of wildlife were beneath us. We've seen orcas throughout our trip and they could easily be below us at any point in time. This, to me, was thrilling.
A lonely iceberg floats gently across the bay.
We landed ashore, ready to explore more of this mysterious continent. Slippery rocks made for a wobbly walk to one of the most stunning blocks of ice, carved naturally from mother nature. This beautiful structure was blocked off to preserve its wonderous appearance from adventurers. Water trickled down the rocks creating a light creek-like sound. The sun was oddly warm and the ice was melting. Though the peaceful sounds of water dripping down from the ice was relaxing, it gave us insight on the damages of global warming.
Antarctica truly had the bluest of blues I had ever seen; as cliche as it sounds, photos don't do this serene land justice.
Brandon and I walked up the rocky hill to find a Weddell Seal soaking in the rays. He was resting quietly without a disturbance from those who were respectfully watching from afar. After a few photo ops with the seal, Brandon made his way farther up for a hike with the nature guide and I carefully walked back down to the shoreline where there was a designated area for quiet meditation.
Joining a couple of people in the quiet area, I sat at the far end and gazed out at the water. Antarctic birds flew by, squawking in the air. The sound of cracking ice echoed from afar and I listened as the cold water gently splashed onto the rocks. I placed my hands on the ground and soaked in every second. Visiting Antarctica was a dream of mine since I was a child, and here I was, sitting on this nearly unexplored continent, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the stillness. I lied down on the rocks and watched the birds from above, hardly a cloud in sight. Everything was quiet and everything felt right.
Alas, the voice of a guide woke me up from a trance, notifying us that it was time to leave the area. I did a few more meditating breathing techniques, stalling for time. I didn't want this moment to end.
Meditating next to a beautiful snowy hill, I stacked a few rocks. I still wonder if they're still stacked to this day. A bird flying past, searching for food.
One of the funniest photo bombs ever, I ruined this nice couple's photo as I looked dead in the background.
Back onboard, we had a few hours to rest before one more excursion. We enjoyed lunch in the Gastronomic Restaurant once more, making sure we were well-fed before our kayaking adventure!
Exquisite dining wasn't exclusive to dinners, we were pampered morning, day, and night!
We were the last in the group sign-ups to go kayaking, something that worked out in our favor, though, risky if weather had turned for the worst. None of these activities are guaranteed during the duration of the trip, so we were fortunate that we were able to go. I was happy that everyone who signed up for kayaking went, but I would say that we definitely had the best location to do so.
There were approximately ten kayakers altogether, including Brandon and me. While we waited for instructions on how to get into the kayaks safely, the rest of the travelers onboard Le Commandant Charcot went on zodiac cruises.
My adrenaline was pumping. I was the heaviest person in the group and I felt rather nervous. Negative thoughts were running through my head, "would I be able to lift myself in?" "What if I tip Brandon and myself over while getting in?" I've been sea kayaking in New Zealand before, but that was launching off the beach. This time around, we were getting off a zodiac onto a floating platform by crawling on our backs and lowering ourselves into a kayak. This is not to mention, how we were supposed to get out of the kayaks, too. I wasn't afraid of the actual activity, I was just worried about my strength and appearance to those who were more physically fit.
You can see the concern on my face for getting in and out of the kayak.
With very little grace, the help of a guide, and Brandon's confidence in me, I made it into the kayak...not without scaring Brandon just a bit with the wobbling back and forth. Everyone else made it seem so easy. However, life is too short to compare myself to others and I quietly praised myself for facing my fear of humiliation because truth be told, there aren't many people that can say they've kayaked in Antarctica.
Following the guide and maneuvering around small icebergs, Brandon and I were the perfect team. I was the eyes in the front, keeping a lookout for obstacles and steering away while Brandon was the powerhouse in the back.
We kayaked for about forty-five minutes, coasting closer to the hills, dodging blocks of ice, and admiring the untouched land. It was so much fun, I didn't really think about the possibility of orcas or leopard seals swimming beneath us. Antarctica is so wild and adventurous; I had fallen in love with each passing moment.
Unfortunately, with every activity on this trip, it didn't last and we had to make our way back to the floating dock to end our adventure out on the Antarctic sea. Euphoria was abundant and I hardly thought about my fears of getting out of the kayak.
This was the best professional photo taken of us on the kayak, unfortunately, I'm covering Brandon's face.
These photos are rather humorous as the first one, I look terrified and Brandon looks like he's taking a photo of my head. The other, I look like I'm being eaten alive by my life jacket.
Just a few hours after kayaking, we spotted another pod of orca, really putting things into perspective on how we could have easily been floating along with these powerful marine mammals.
We finished another glorious day in Antarctica by indulging in a pre-dinner smoothie. Dinner consisted of white bean soup, celery carpaccio with grapefruit and avocado, grilled octopus with spelt lemon cream (best octopus I've ever eaten), veal tenderloin with macaroni gratin and truffle, and chicken with truffle and duck foie gras layers, ending with delectable dessert, of course.
Another marvelous day had come and gone but not a second was wasted. We only have two more days left to explore this amazing continent and the feeling of "vacation is almost ending" is starting to set in. Though, we have another week to explore South America after we disembark Le Commandant Charcot, I can't help but to feel that this opportunity to visit Antarctica is one in a million and I may never get to visit again. As we settled in for the evening, I reminisced the amazing day exploring Larsen Inlet.
Comments