65.04 degrees south, 64.10 Degrees west

It is COLD the wind is like a hot knife as it cuts through butter, no escaping it no matter what you wear (and to think this is the height of summer). Saying that we are now in the Lemaire Channel which is an amazing story of contrasts, (once again). Huge towering mountains glisten in the sunlight, pure white snow give way to cliffs of dark brown rock; this comes down to the ocean that is so blue it looks black; floating around in the blackeness are pure white icebergs that when you look closely have the turquoise that you see in a swimming pool. Then you see tiny penguins porpoising in the water as they swim from berg to berg. We are going into a bay by the name of Paradise bay (not to be confused with Paradise lake at home) for a hike and zodiac ride; foot and hand warmers will be required today....and just to add the contrast lots of sun tan lotion required.

The young explorers are off climbing a mountain for a long snow slide into a chilean antarctic base.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon and a polish scientific base where we saw the only colony of Jentew (not sure of the spelling) penguins, I think thay are the cutest we have seen certainly very different from the regal King penguin.

What has been amazing this morning, (other than the scenary) is watching the captain navigate this 300+ foot boat through the fields of dozens of gigantic icebergs (some bigger than the ship) as if he were driving a 20' center console....very comforting to hear one passenger say "I'm going to go sit next to the life boats!"

Arrived in Antarctica

Well after being at sea all day yesterday we finally arrived at Elephant island at 12.30 AM this morniing; this is the island where Shakleton and his party were stranded for many months. Michael and I were pretty much the only two on the ship still up and were dilligently looking for the island in a snow storm; then we came out of it and there it was - we could see it in the twilight which was amaxzing to think there was still light at that time (Sunrise is at 3.06am). Michael and I went off to the bar and had a toast to Shakleton before turning in.

We were woken bright and early this morning when we reached Penguin Island so that we could have breakfast and get ready which entails at least four layers of clothing plus outer artic weather gear. Just as we were getting ready there was an announcemnet that there was a humpback whale and her calf breaching off of the bow. We all quickly ran to the bow in the freezing cold (it is 34 degrees with 20 knot wind) and sure enough there were the two of them continously breaching with in feet of the bow, so close that my camera lens was having difficulty taking pictures (after being out all this time I was convinced I had frost bite). After watching them for some 20 minutes we loaded onto the zodiacs to walk around Penguin Island - absolutley amazing with Chin strap penguins with little fuzzy grey babys cuddling under their Moms, Adelie penguins, elaphant seals and Albatross with babys. You just cannot imagine how amazing it all is, the sights, sounds, smell etc, it quickly makes you forget how cold it is.

This afternoon we are off to spend sometime at the Polish research station and see more penguins. Oh and by the way as we are cruising throw in the sighting of numerous fin whales (so many they are like cockroaches) and a few ice bergs....................................

The place of extremes......

I dont think I have mentioned that everything in this area extreme from weather to colors to whatever.... a few examples; when we go out on expenditions you will see snow capped mountains that are briliantly white at the top, the snow gives way to jet black rocks and then when we are walking aound the animals you see a multitude of colors, black, whire brown and bright organge. Now lets talk about the weather; we have been at see for a day and a half and we have gone from flta calm to waves breaking over the bow (amazing picture oppurtunity from the bridge) to being able to sit on the aft deck in brilliant sunshine (45 degrees) to snow this evening... I am not joking when I say all the above has taken place in the last 24 hours. The kids actually had a snow ball fight after dinner this evening.

So we are still at sea and have another 24 hours until we get to the Antactric pennislula, we supposedly pass Elephant Island (where Shakelton was stranded) at midnight and the into the trure Antarctic!!!!!!!

Sooooo AMAZING!!!!!!

We have not had a good internet connection hence the delay in updfating the blog...............One cannont really fathom everything that you experience.......Yesterday started off with a zodiac trip to a valley where we got to experience a wide range of different penguins, reigndeer and seals. Asheley sat down in the penguin colony (which was a 1.5 KM walk from the shore) and within a fwe minutes a couple of fuzzy brown baby penguins came over to inspect; one peceked at her boot and another later came to her so it was nose to beak - amazing pictures.

Then in the afternoon Donna, Diana, Michael and I participtaed in a 5 km walk through the mountains of south Georgia climbing over several peaks tho the Grytviken whaling station, it took us about 2 1/2 hours and we got a good work out. At the whaling station we had a good insight into the days of Shakleton and even went to his grave to pay our respects!!!!! Then we had a BBQ on the aft deck with the staff from the BAS sctaion at South Georgia.

This morning statrted with a 3.30 AM wake up call as we were off Gold Harbour where apparently the most amazing sunrises occur in the world (did I mention that sunset is at arount 9.00 PM and sunrise at 4.00 AM - Donn is in heaven!), well the sunrise lived up to all expectations though Michael my Mom and I were the only ones to experience it. At 5.45 AM it was a zodiac trip to see a large penguin and elephant seal colony. These guys are BIG - supposedly we only saw the juvenile males which weigh in at between 5 & 6000 lbs and they are angry!!!! Again another clinb up a few hundred feet to overlook the beach before they said we needed to bail as winds were up to 40 knots, made for an interesting landing back at ths ship. I actually got a face full of artic water which pretty much instantly numbed my face - COLD!!!!!!!

Then it was a cruise through a fjord and iceberg ally truly amazing sites................ very sad though as we saw first hand the effects of gloabls warming with the retreat of several galciers that have retreated over a kilometer in a few years.

Now we are at sea for 2 days as we make our way to the antarctic pennisula. We are having an amazing time nd look forward to sharing the 900 + pictures I have taken already!

What an amazing Christmas

Wow we could not possibly ask for a better Christmas - it is 46 degrees, bright sunshine and zero wind. We are anchored off of Salisbury Plain home to some 200,000 penguins and thousands of seals including baby that are about 18 inches long, all black and furry with big dow like eyes. One cannot possibly describe the scene - huge 10,000 foot snow capped mountains that give way to black rock that then comes down to a huge green covered plain that is home to all of these amazing animals. They are so unafraid of humans that they literally come up to your feet and gaze up at you. The plain is a mass of squaking penguins looking for their young or vice versa. Every once in a while a big bull seal will race across the path way while the passengers of the ship scatter. The smell is very much like what you would experience at a pig pen but easily overcome when you look around. Your senses are so over whelmed; I took about 250 pictures in a 2 hour period. Anyway aboslutley amazing.

This all followed our zodiac tour this morning in another bay to look at fur seals and Macaoroni Penguins however it was quite foggy at that time.

Just before lunch today Santa arrived by zodiac as apparently the ship was too small for a safe landing in the sleigh, all very fun. Oh and just to add the magic during lunch we had a killer whale swim by.........................

The ship also has a log at http://www.abercrombiekent.com/index.cfm?navid=3.2.4.1 with pictures in fact there is one of Ashley and Pheobe at the young explores program.

Brrrrr - Someone left the fridge door open!!!!!!

We have arrived in South Georgia and it is a brisk 34 degrees - wake up call was at 6.30 as we will be going in the Zodiacs shortly. We were at sea all day yesterday and saw nothing other than a few sea birds until about 4.00 PM when we passed Shag rocks - these are a rocky our crop about 200 miles west of South Georgia, basically an area of rocks for sea birds.

We are at anchor in a small bay with seals and macaronni penguins lazily swimming around the boat. South Georgia is like the Galapogas of the southern ocean with 30 million pairs of sea birds, 3 million seals and several million penguiins of different species. We are surrounded by thick fog but there is little wind which is awesome.

Last night was really fun as we sat in the Shakleton lounge and sang Christmas carols, actually Donna, Michael and I watched everyone sing Christmas carols but it was very festive.

So off we go on todays adventures...............Merry Christmas to all our family and friends we miss you all and are thinking of you.

300 miles east of the Falklands - South Georgia 590 miles

It is absolutley a gorgeous day today as we head East toward South Georgia; it is clear sunny 50 degrees with a slight swell. Sitting on the aft deck sipping capuccinos and bloody marys; the sea birds (albatross and sea pectrals mostly) are lazily swooping in on the draft created as the ship moves forward all in all a spectacular day. We have had to lectures today - history of South Georgia and fishing the southern ocean both very interesting.

Ashley and Phoebe have blown us off to participate in the Young Explorers program and hang out with the other kids (there are about a dozen of them on board). This evening the kids are having dinner with the host of the TV show Emergency Vet shown on discovery channel.

Last night was a late one hanging out discussing the economic problems of the world with Rob (a technolgy venture captalist) and Morris a harvard business school graduate that was one of the people responsible for inventing the computer interface between the wall street ticker tape and the consumer thereby allowing for onhline trading). They were quite impressed with my knowledge of world economics and asked my opinion as to how I woul;d advise Obama, (just kidding..................actually they ended up giving me a lecture on economics 101!!!!!!) but it was a really fun evening.

The weather is supposed to be good for the next 24 hours thereby allowing for us to arrive in South Georgia around 2.00 PM tomorrow; we will keep our fingers crossed as we have learned that weather can change in a matter of minutes in this area of the world.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

After surviving the night with the storm (wind peeked at 92 MPH) we pulled into Port Stanley this morning at 9.00 AM, all of us went on tours - the girls went to a penguin rokkery and Michael Diana and I went on a tour of the battle fields of Falkland Islands 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. We saw many of the sites we all heard about and found it very fascinating. This afternoon we went for a walk and ended up in the Globe pub, I know you all are suprised!!!!!

The wind has picked up again significantly, proabaly about 30 - 35 knots, just in time for our departure for South Georgia which is in about 2 hours. We are 2 days at sea so hopefully sea conditions will be favourable. That's it for now will update soon.

It's blowing

Well these limeys use different terms like its blowing a force 10 gale but after just coming off the bridge and the Captain said its blowing a steady 70 knots peaked at 82 knots................and were in a protected bay, thank God were not at sea. Someone asked him why he looked so calm and he said he is wound like a spring. Two anchors down engines running just in case and he is using the bow thruster to keep us into the wind.........A little chilly outside as well.......Other than that everything seems OK!!

Arrived Port William - Falkland Islands

Winds are now blowing at 48 knots and we just came back from a Zodiac ride and walk on the islands; they are very desolate and wind blown, not a single tree anywhere. The Zodiac ride was a little wet and bumpy and they say this is nothing compared to what we will experience in South Georgia. The weather is still supposed to make up later this afternoon with sustained winds of 70 - 75 knots. The captain just came by and said that it is very fast moving so should only effect us for a few hours.

Tomorrow we actually go into the pier at Port Stanley and participate in some land tours; Michael and I are going on a tour of the Falklands war battle sites - should be fun. Other than that it has been quiet and relaxing, (had a nice back massage yesterday), we had the Captains cocktail party and dinner last night which was great. Then of course it was acouple of wines with Donna and Diana in the Shackleton lounge..............................

We are in thick fog

So we got an announcement this morning from the Captain telling everyone to come to the lounge for an imporant weather update. It appears that there is a fast moving storm with 65 knots on on its way. we are now runnning for shelter at Port Stanley where we will anchor to ride it out. Anchor as opposed to alongside in case it gets to bad and we have to put to sea as it is safer.

The expedition leader told Donna in 15 years of coming to Antarctica he has only ever seen one storm like this and the Captain said the barometric pressure is so low the ships instruments dont go that low................Dont we call this a hurricane?

Donna went to the reception desk to ask about seasickness and they told her to stay drunk....seroiusly....so off to the bar we go. Quote of the day is from a little old lady who said - if I must walk like this it may as well be after 12 scotches....................

I have to do this in small bits in order to publish

Carrying on from my previous post.....

The flight into Ushia was a little hair rasing as we flew through the mountains as we were descending. It became quite bumpy; they put on soothing classical music as we bumped around followed by triumphant marching music on landing....what does that say?

The gaucho BBQ was awesone, the lamb spectacular... Argentina is a meat eaters paradise. Bad luck to Ash!!!!! We are now on the baot making our way across the southern Atlantic, we have some swells which is causing the boat to pitch and making it quite hard to walk. Otherwise it is a great day, sunny and about 50 degrees. Today will be R&R with massages booked ($20.00 / 1/2 hour eat your heart out Anne and Susan) as well as movies etc. Food has been great and we have met new friends (Nancy, Dave, Marla and Steve to name a few.

Thats it for now will update as we can. Sorry pictures cannot be posted,

I am having a huge problem trying to post this, lets try again.....

4th time lucky

We are half way between Argentina and the Falklands; I will make this quick as the internet connection is unreliable. We flew to Ushia on Thursday, 9 hour flight, and spent the day in Buenos Aires. Then the next morning it was up early, 5.30AM to fly to Ushia. Most of the day was spent on a national park tour followed by a Gaucho BBQ. Boarded the ship at 3.00 and departed at 8.30.

The adventure begins

After over a year of planning the day of our trip to Antarctica begins today when we leave on the Delta flight to Atlanta and then on to Miami. We are in Miami over night and leave on Lan Chile to Buenos Aires at 9.00 PM on Wednesday. We have a day in Buenos Aires before leaving on another flight to Ushuaia, Argentina the last city of South America right at the vey end. Then it is on board Mirvana which then takes us to the Falkland Islands. A couple of days in the Falklands and then 2 more days at sea as we cruise to South Georgia, (this is where we will be Christmas Day). After spending a couple of days there we then cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula.

I will update this blog as much as possible and will be uploading photos to my Google page which can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/Bananapatchnews I’m not sure what the link speed is on the ship but we’ll do our best.

For family and friends that we will not spend Christmas with, (the first time in a long long time), we hope that you all have a great Christmas and wonderful New Year. We will see you all when we get home on January 6th.

Here is our itinerary.
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands (2008)
DAY 1: USA or Canada/Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart on your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

DAY 2: Buenos Aires
Arrive this morning and transfer to your hotel, where immediate check-in has been arranged. Have time to relax before this afternoon's optional city tour. Meet your fellow adventurers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception. InterContinental Buenos Aires B

DAY 3: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia, Argentina
Fly to Ushuaia for a traditional Patagonian barbecue lunch. This afternoon, join your ship and settle in for a first night on board.
MV 'Minerva' (formerly called 'Explorer II')

DAY 4: At sea
Your journey to the Falkland Islands is an exciting one, as you join the Captain on the bridge or spot wildlife from the deck - these krill-rich waters are a particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds.


DAYS 5-6: Falkland Islands
The Falklands offer a chance to step back in time to a place where nature reigns. Spend the days leisurely hiking to penguin rookeries and other unspoiled wildlife habitats, or perhaps stroll the village streets of Stanley.

DAYS 7-8: Cruising the South Atlantic
As the ship approaches South Georgia, deck-side sightings of marine mammals and other wildlife become more frequent.

DAYS 9-11: South Georgia
South Georgia is actually a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes mountain range, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores. Weather permitting, enjoy a visit to impressive Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay or Gold Harbour - home to a vast colony of stately king penguins.

DAYS 12-13: Cruising the Scotia Sea
Lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia while the ship passes through waters filled with marine mammals and fish.


DAYS 14-16: Antarctica
As conditions permit, the ship's itinerary calls for landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands including Cuverville, Paulet and Deception Island. There are also plans to sail through Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, with other possibilities for exploration, including a scientific research station.

DAYS 17-18: Drake Passage
Return through Drake Passage where there are more opportunities for observing marine and bird life. It's also a good opportunity to reflect on your journey with fellow travellers on deck.


DAY 19: Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aires
Disembark after breakfast and head out to explore Tierra del Fuego's spectacular wilderness before transferring to the airport.

DAY 20:
Connect to a homebound flight.

Tanga arrives in Bermuda

Well Tanga arrived in Bermuda with her two siblings 2 hours late on the British Airways flight from London last night. She is adorable and driving Keisha crazy. Apparently she howled all night keeping Mom awake most of it. She has also learned to go through the dog door albeit sans any grace!

Bermuda in winter

This past Saturday was one of those absolutely gorgeous days where you feel that you just have to get up and do something outdoors. Well as luck would have it Jonathan called and asked if we wanted to go out in Blackbird. What a fantastic day we had, the weather was wonderful sunny, no wind mid 70s with good friends in attendance; what else could you ask for?

I joined the blog spot with the goal of being able to post for our upcoming trip to Antarctica however realized that I had the perfect oppurtunity to post something now.

Over the weekend Ashley participated in her first jumping competition at Vesey Street. This was huge for her as she has struggled with doing this due to her nervousness of people watching. Well she participated in the schooling round and did well. Following her success with that she competed in two jumping classes and placed second. We are proupd of her and hope that she will compete in more jumping competitions in the future.

The two photos of Ashley jumping are coutesy of Andy Gibbs (www.andyspics.com)