Antarctica Day 11: Dako Island and Willemenia harbor

Woke up at 730 not wanting to get up for breakfast, but we had to as our disembarkation crew was the first to go at 830. Had the omelete and hashbrowns and then prepared for our zodiak to Dako Island. It was a mile and a half cruise to Dako island, which was a hike to the summit for a 360 degree view, as well as gentoo penguin breading grounds. Arrived, and started the hike. One of the expedition visitors brought a penguin suit halloween costume and put it on and got some hilarious pictures infront of the penguin colonies. Then we proceeded the twenty minute hike to the top, for some splended 360 degree views of the island and surroundings. Knowing this was the last time we would be standing on antarctica we tried to soak it in. The air smells so clean and fresh although it is cold. We stayed well beyond our alotted time but loved every second of it. Watched some more penguins fight over the pebbles and then made the hike down to the zodiaks. Made it back to the ship after a detour by an iceberg with some weddel seals on it. Then crawled into bed and took a nap. After lunch we went to another location where we would zodiak cruise.

however, it was snowing and windy in this location, so making sure we super bundled up for the no longer than one our and a half ride. It was snowing and wet and slightly miserable. It truely was what I was expecting when I think of Antarctica. We zodiaked back to a ship wreck that is sticking out of the water. An old Whaler ship that burned down. After about an hour, we found a weddel seal and found our way back to the ship. Freezing cold. Had dinner and were preparing to leave the antarctica peninsula estimated to hit the drake at about midnight. After dinner, there was the antarctica party, complete with a wedding party, who were married by the captain on Dako island. And then a dance party. A lot of the older gentleman would dance (unlike matt) which was a lot of fun. However, as the night progressed, dancing became harder and harder with the waves and the increasingly intense rocking of the ship.

About midnight we went to bed. To be woken about 3 am to a loud crashing, and scratching, and metal riping. Thinking we would hear an overhead announcement if it was something worrisome, we went back to sleep. Then we began hearing tools being whipped around below us. Now matt has chatted with others about the radar etc. capabilities of the boat. The boats radar can see up to 15 miles a head of us. and the boat is traveling at about 15 knots. Which means that if there is something that pops up on radar we have an hour to avoid it. And the boat is very strong and reinforced and ready for the ice we encounter. Knowing that was the case, we figured it was nothing bad. Just a lot of loud crashes, surely from the ice as we leave the antarctic and begin to cross the drake.

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