23 Jan 2020
Three Landings on the Antarctic Continent
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This evening we celebrated our third landing on the Antarctic continent, and a first during one voyage for our Expedition Leader Samuel, by raising a glass of bubbles in Akademik Shokalskiy's bar.
Dazzling Antarctic conditions and calm water saw our excited expeditioners zipping over Terra Nova Bay in Zodiacs to spend the afternoon at Italian research station Mario Zuchelli. It appeared our Italian hosts were as excited to meet us as we them; their first ship visitors in two years, they were waiting on their wharf by a ladder made this morning especially for our visit.
Enjoying guided tours by our enthusiastic hosts we explored the shipping container constructed summer research station, reminiscent of Christchurch's former Re:Start Container Mall, where they conduct oceanic, meteorological and geological studies surrounded by towering, ice-capped ridgelines. Tour complete we experienced some next level hospitality in their mess hall complete with open fire, Italian coffee (and for a lucky few Antarctica's finest espresso), pizza and other traditional national treats.
Reluctantly, for some, we said our farewells and set sail heading further south still to Ross Island.
Image © I. Wilson, Heritage Expeditions
22 Jan 2020
Changing course overnight to avoid the ice, Akademik Shokalskiy sailed into Terra Nova Bay several hours later than expected this evening. However,…READ MORE
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