Deception Island...swimming in vulcanic (and antarctic) water!!!
Date: 11-02-07
From: Hannah point to Deception
09:45 Position 62˚55’72.S 060˚40’44.W Telefon bay
19:33 Position 62˚58’81.S 060˚33’7.W Whalers bay
Weather:
Wind: W7-8
Temperature: 5
Slowly Deception appears on the bleu sky horizon, when we get closer wind picks up more.
From here the hike goes downwards again, leading along the beach where lines of dead Euphausia superba - more commonly known as Krill have washed upon the shore. These are the crustaceans that are the main source of food for most penguins, seals, seabirds and whales. Without krill, Antarctica would be empty. We also find limpet shells, nematodes under the rock and some miniscule black springtails floating on the water.
Heaving anchor after lunch and steam across to Pendulum Cove at the northeast side of Port Foster. The wind decreased but still quite chilly. But several brave crew and guest land on the black beach for a bath. With high tide and lee shore the water is to cold. But Maarten, Michiel Tjalling and Daan dig our private whirlpool heated by the volcanic activity. Some tough ones go for a swim open water of 1,6 Celsius brrrrrrrrrrrrr!
When Bart sets out for a hike along the coast, As we walk along the beach we see a lazy Weddell Seal gazing at us. Unfortunately the wind picks up severly. It’s saver to head back on board.
In the evening Many people set out for a stroll along the remains of the former whaling station and the British base at the end off the beach you can walk up to Neptune’s Window which provides a superb view of the ocean from between two high cliffs where breeding Cape Petrels can be heard calling. Here too, Wilson’s Storm Petrels fly in to land to return to their nests. Around 22:00 we return to the ship.
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