Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Fornier Bay

  • 1/2/2023 – The heli flight seeing!🇦🇶

    One of the main reasons we choose Quark is because of their consciousness—to the environment, their guests, their employees. Everything they do is centered around safety for the continent and their guests. This is reflected in the mandatory meetings we go to, the history we learn, the wildlife we encounter, and their commitment to the standards set forth by IAATO for visitors to the continent.

    The second reason we choose Quark is because of their amenities and what we just did—flight seeing! As I said in a prior post, there are two bright yellow Airbus H-145 on board. Every passenger on the ship gets to do one of these tours and we just did ours! We also signed up for the heli landing tour, which may or may not happen tomorrow. Everything (and I do mean everything) is dependent on the weather.

    We only had 5 people—4 in the back and someone in the co-pilot’s seat. Everyone got a window seat!
    Hi Laura!
    Ready for take off!💛
    Cruisin’ over the Antarctica peninsula

    The heli was super smooth and the weather cooperated. The day couldn’t have been any better with these views. WHOA! Seeing places where no person has stepped foot on…it’s overwhelming (in a good way) 😮

  • Two more pics 🇦🇶

    While we await the helicopter flight seeing tour, we are right next to this same iceberg.

    Angle from the ship💙

    There are 3 main types of icebergs: 1. Growler (less than 1 meter), Bergy Bit (1 meter but less than 5 meters), Iceberg (>5 meters)

    Here’s one that comes with a pool!

  • 1/2/23 – Back from morning zodiac excursion in Fornier Bay 🇦🇶☀️

    Yesterday, I sometimes didn’t know where the sky and the ground came together because of the snow and overcast skies.

    Today, the sky and the ocean are one! Bluebird day at Fornier Bay. Lots and lots of humpback whales hanging around. We have to stay a good distance from them—unless they approach (like the one did with us yesterday). I caught a few tails!

    In addition, we saw a female Leopard Seal hanging out on the ice. Again, we maintained our distance. It is their space, not ours. This type of seal is at the top of the food chain, along with Orcas (Killer Whales).

    Note – NONE of these pictures are touched up in any way. Taken on my iPhone 13 Pro Max. This is Antarctica!

    Leopard Sea soaking in the sun ☀️ – we were a ways away per the requirement—this is zoomed in
    One of about 8 whales tails we saw today
    No words for this. Nature’s art canvas at work!