Paradise Harbour, Antarctica................

January 27, 2013 - Paradise Bay, Almirante Brown Station, Antarctica

Good visibility, overcast with snow flurries

Wind: S 2; Sea sooth; Air Temp: 6C (42F)

Almirante Brown, or Brown Station as it is officially known, is a Summer-only Argentinian Base but has been occupied rarely in recent years. It is one of only a few sites where tourists can actually set foot on Antarctica, the Seventh Continent. To go inland (another 1500 miles) to the South Pole you have to be part of a research team. 

Here we are, the motley crew on my Zodiac, freezing before we even cranked up the engine to head ashore - snow flurries and a chilly wind blowing across the icy sea. Hanging on to my balaclava hat..........

..............but at least I was smiling, well kind of!

Landing was easy......................

...having a picture taken ON ANTARCTICA was fun...

....climbing up the icy 165 ft hill behind the base buildings - 

for a great view but with warnings of crevasses - required 

sliding back down on one's backside, 

so I passed, enough said.........

Only 5,345 miles from New York! Seemed much further.

The huge glacier was an epic sight to behold as it met 

the sea.......................

 ........and the old red painted buildings reminded me 

of a Winter scene from Sweden.

There was a small Gentoo penguin rookery...........they 

were still on their rock nests protecting their very 
young chicks.

After a quick look around it was time to return to 

M/S Expedition...............

..........and prepare for the rough two day journey 

ahead crossing 'The Drake' back to South America.

Next time will be my last post on the 

Antarctica expedition. Then I'll share news about 

my upcoming trip to..........can you guess where!