A Day of Firsts: Polar Plunging & Continental Steps

On the morning of February 24th, following our day at the Penguin Post Office, we woke to the multi-lingual announcement inviting everyone to step outside and soak in the bright sunshine and glassy waters of Wilhemina Bay. Wilhemina is a protected cove surrounded by snowcapped peaks and rippling mountain ranges spanning as far as the eye can see. The glassy water around us, unbothered by the normal winds was reflecting the mountain ranges back at us and the blue sky that we had not seen in days. The white of the snow was glowing and in the silence of this bay, every tiny sound was enhanced. When sounds were heard, they were the distinct and exciting sounds of blowholes. Little did we know that the ship was flanked by a pod of humpback whales. their surfacing the only movement braking ripples into the smooth water around us. A more picturesque setting could not have been conjured for our first whale sightings on the trip.

After a morning of soaking in the sun and observing the curious whales, our trip leader announced that we would be taking advantage of the glorious weather and jumping in for the infamous Polar Plunge. Excitedly all passengers hurried off to our cabins to change into bathing suits and the every fashionable slippers and robes provided in our cabins, while the expedition team set about rigging a zodiac to the ship as a jumping platform, and the ship bartender Sixto prepared victory vodka shots. The nervous excitement around the ship buzzed as everyone came rushing out of their cabins to line up for their dip. My husband was no exception, rushing off very quickly to be as close to the front of the line as possible before he could convince himself not tot do it. We ended up jumpers #2 and #3. No matter how many cold plunges you have done, nothing quite prepares you for the full body rocking cold that hits when you voluntarily launch yourself into the Antarctic Ocean. The photographer capturing the moment has a knack for catching jumpers right at the moment their toe hits the water, faces full of excitement and shock. Plunging in, the body launches into overdrive and you can almost levitate yourself out of the water as quick as you jumped into it, assisted by the waistbelt and the expedition team pulling you in and wrapping you back into your robe. There is noting quite so invigorating as the full body sensation of your body rewarming as you celebrate with shots and make your way very quickly to the ship's hot tub to relax and watch your fellow plungers continue the party. 

As the Polar plunge party wrapped up, the Expedition team Let us know that they intended to keep the party going by hitting a third "first" today and getting everyone to a continental landing site for our "first steps on the continent!" While everyone retired to their cabins to shower, warm up and get ready for lunch, the ship set course for Orne Harbor for our planned landing. Unfortunately, in the 2 hours it took to navigate to the planned landing site, our beautiful sunny day had taken a turn and a storm was blowing in. By the time for launch, winds were blowing too strong to deploy the zodiacs.  Such is life on an expedition cruise. However, hope was not completely lost for our continental landing. The radar was showing promising movement for the storm and a clear evening in sight, which meant a later landing was likely possible.

The ship set a new course for an alternate site, the well known Portal Point. This is where our goal would come to fruition. Not only would a continental landing be possible, but the camping group would have their once shot to set camp and hunker down for an evening off ship. Those of us not camping were deployed in zodiacs to zoom around towering imposing icebergs, while camps had a head start to land to set their sites up (more on this in the following post). Our E-Team driver then turned us towards shore where we were invited to put boots on the ground on the Antarctic peninsula! Poseidon stocked Continental Landing signs for guests to use to commemorate the moment. For some this is their final continent, for others it is another tick on their list, but for all, this moment is truly special and something to be celebrated, as it is never a guarantee on any of these trips. To have this moment at Portal Point was also significant, as this is one of the few access points to the continent, and it has been the gateway to the interior for many explorers of the heroic age. Following in the literal footsteps of legends is mind boggling to fathom, and makes the experience all the more real.