Welcome to Travel Journaling: Antarctica Entry 13 November

The Vikings in the Antarctic are very different from their purported northern brethren. 

12 November, 2025

National Geographic Explorer

9:27

I know the date, but the day is often illusive. 

I woke up at 1:00 to try to see the stars in the night sky. It was clear, but too bright for stars. I did get some eerie photos of the landscape off the bow and under the bridge.

At breakfast, C.C. and I sat with W., R., Su, and SN. A stayed stayed in her cabin. At the 8:00 announcement, we were surprised with an update that orca were spotted off the bow. Everyone rushed up from the dining room to see them. 

I ran to the bridge and saw a huge family of orca. The naturalist S was there and pointing out where each part of the group were. It was a single family unit likely out hunting for breakfast. I caught a few pictures, but nothing spectacular with my phone's camera. 

If you zoom in you can see three orca just under the sea surface.

We also saw an iceberg with seal tracks and another with three penguins. There was a large group of penguins swimming next to the ship. It was amazing how deep we could see them under the water. 

Taken from a zodiac.

I caught up with D to see if he got any good pictures and we compared our photos for a bit. He's already submitted his ice photos. We also stepped into the gift shop to browse. I bought two handknit pufferfish plushies, a pin, and another postcard. 

Due to the orca sighting, we are about 45 minutes off schedule. C.C. is napping until the kayakers are called as we are in the first group to go out on the zodiacs. I figured I'd journal so I don't spend an hour or more doing so tonight.

21:14

It was another full day after the orca sighting. C.C. and I took a morning zodiac ride with another couple and the naturalist E. BH was our driver. It was cool having a small group on the zodiac. We cruised around Useful Island and Useless Island. There were tons of penguins and seals. The seals blended in well with the rocks. We saw our third seal species, a crab seal. The don't eat crabs; they eat krill. The Germans who discovered the species didn't have another word for krill.

Early in the zodiac ride, we met up with a group of "Vikings". They didn't take our stuff, but gave us hot chocolate (with or without booze - I had it without).

My favorite seal sighting was on a rock in the middle of the bay. It looked like it was sleeping above the ocean. 

I tried the burger for lunch. It was tasty. After lunch, C.C. and I napped instead of attending the presentation on climate change. 

After nap time was an excursion to Cuverville Island for a hike. It wasn't quite as stinky today. However, we got really warm going up the hill. Everyone was shedding layers.

This was actually Useless Island.

We saw another Adelie penguin with all the gentoo. Plus there was a forth penguin sighting. Our expedition leader, J, dressed as a penguin on this landing.

The penguins were everywhere, happily waddling all over. I finally took some videos of them waddling and sliding on their stomachs. I even got a few videos of them porpoising.

So many penguins. There are thousands of them in this picture. 

Tea time was much needed after the hike. I enjoyed our historian, M's presentation on the infamous Belgica Expedition. M recommended reading the book Mad House at the End of the World for more details. 

I tried the fish for dinner. I think it was called a lingcod. El thought she spotted a white whale. 

I am currently waiting to find out who won the artistic ice photos. I submitted two; "Water Nymph Rising in Water" and "Monster Hug". I didn't vote for either of mine. They got a good laugh from everyone, though.

"Monster Hug"

“Water Nymph Rising From the Water”

W. won first place with "Whale Shark Devouring Innocent Kayakers". The second winner was "West Virginia". "ET Reading a Book" and "Chicken Chasing Fish" tied for third. No prizes for me, but W.A.R. took first and the tie for third.

Teddy chilling out on deck.

Until the next post. 

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