Last Day in Antarctica, Pleneau Bay, Petermann Island & Lemaire Channel

January 16. A great last day on the Antarctic Peninsula. It was the coldest day so far but still in the 30’s. We had a Zodiac tour of Pleneau, where ice bergs go to die. The huge glaciers calve into the bay, and we sailed among the ice bergs of all sizes and shapes. A humpback whale joined us for part of the tour. After morning tours were done, it was time for the Polar Plunge. This is when guests and some crew, crazier or dumber than us, signed 3-page waivers, and then jumped into the water. Water temp was 33F, air temp 34F.

In the afternoon the ship moved to Petermann Island. Due to the abundant ice in the area, this location is rarely visited. Zodiacs went up to rocks, where you could step off, our only dry landing. The shore was littered with rocks, making walking difficult until you got to a snow covered hill. Gentoos and their babies were on their pebble nests near the landing area. Our first colony of Adelie penguins were nearby, a fitting end for the last afternoon.

One more surprise awaited us as the ship headed to the Drake Passage. Jan was so disappointed about missing the Lemaire Channel that she was thrilled to hear the announcement that we would be going through the Lemaire Channel in the bright, sunny early evening. The icing on the cake! All trip goals achieved.