Antarctica Day 8: Half moon and Deception Island

Woke up to breakfast about 730 at half moon island. Heard the announcements tht the wind was continually at average between 35 and 45 knots. in order to zodiak cruise, it needs to be less than 30. Continual reassessment and the decision was made to leave the port where we were and try an isolated deception island, which has a one way enterance inside to a couldera, of an active volcano. The campers met, and we had our choice between a bivi or a two man tent. we went with the tent option even though the bivi would take no time to set up. the tents cover everything, were the bivi, youre eyes are exposed tot he elements all night long, no thankyou. we napped while the boat moved that way, arrived there hoping the winds would be less, but they weren't. Unable to zodiak cruise, we went up to the bridge and soaked up the wonderous outdoors, the captain even brought the bow of the ship tapping into a giant icefield of sea ice. we took a group picture here. then it was time to leave to head closer to the antarctic peninsula. we retreated to our room to watch a few episodes of games of thrones, I worked out which i must add is very difficult rocking on a boat while riding a stationary bike. then dinner was served. we sat with a group of aussies, one was an older gentleman who is on a three year round the world sailing adventure. Apparently the harbor inside deception island was a very difficult passage to sail through, as the captain kept having the boat turn in the wrong direction due to the high winds. after dinner, we played one hand of cribbage and called it a night.

tomorrow is cuverville island and praadise harbour (antarctic peninsula) with our first opportunity to camp on antarctica overnight. well see, hopefullly the winds have died down!

andrea and matt

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