Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Southern Ocean

  • One of my favorite memories – The Humpback Whales in Graham Passage on New Year’s Day 🇦🇶

    One of my favorite memories – The Humpback Whales in Graham Passage on New Year’s Day 🇦🇶

    Happy New Year! One of my favorite moments in Antarctica happened on Jan. 1st, 2023–our first day exploring the peninsula.

    We are required to maintain a certain distance from all wildlife, including the whales. But sometimes they have other plans. There were lots of whales in Graham Passage that day and this curious Humpback whale went directly under our zodiac boat and came out the other side. 😮

    Then, another Humpback (maybe the same one?) did the same thing about 10 minutes later. I don’t have a very good video of that 2nd time, but I do of the first time! I have posted both below. (Video taken on my iPhone 13 ProMax- I did not zoom in.)

    The case of the curious Humpback under our zodiac. Ali, the lead expedition guide on the ship, was our guide/Zodiac driver. She said that this has only happened to her one other time in the 9 years she has been a guide. 🐋
    This is the second time. I wasn’t in a good position on the Zodiac to film but you can see the whale’s outline under the water in the beginning of the video.

  • 1/3/2023 (Good afternoon!) – Just do it! 🇦🇶

    Well, I just did it! “It” is SUP, which is an acronym for “stand up paddle-boarding” and I was very lucky to be a part of a group of 6 others who went SUPing in the Southern Ocean. We saw a humpback whale, lots of penguins swimming, navigated around icebergs from a safe distance, and were so close to the water! I will never forget this one. Started from my knees and eventually worked my way up to standing.

    Working on my courage to stand up! SUP in the Southern Ocean (aka Antarctic Ocean)
    The ocean was like glass! And when my legs stopped shaking, it was one of the coolest experiences.

    FYI – had trouble with this post and it posted like 4 times. I have deleted the others and may have accidentally deleted comments – apologies!!

    Wow! Just wow. Unbelievable experience. Thanks to our guide, Sarah, for the lessons and the incredible spot to SUP!