Final landings

Saturday 16^th January

Our last day of landings … slightly sad but also getting ok with the idea of heading back to dry land.

The process of getting ready for each landing is exhausting. I personally had my prep down pat. Thermals first - top and bottom, warm thermal woollen tops x 2, socks x 2, jeans, insulated waterproof pants, gumboots, zip fleece, windproof waterproof jacket, life vest, gloves, beanie, camera gear, sunscreen, lip balm, sunnies – good to go!!!! Usually exhausted by the time I get off the boat but at least I'm warm.

Only this dressup was different – this dressup involved swimmers!!!

We were heading into Deception Island which is a volcanic caldera that blew a hole in the side when it blew it's top and made a handy entrance and harbour for ships. The bay was used as a whaling and seal processing port until continued seismic activity forced the closure and abandoning of the stations, the remains of which lay rusting half buried in the volcanic ash of the last explosion (1969).

The allure of the supposed geothermal warm waters had me in my swimmers with the understanding by all that if the water was not truly warm I wasn't going in. Needless to say they exaggerated the "warm" component and I stayed dry but most of my fellow passengers went for a dip – Dave included. They all maintained that the water was so cold that the landing onto the beach then seemed really warm. Not for this kid.

The afternoon landing which was poorly attended (I think a lot of people were getting over the whole get dressed, get undressed thing) was on a pebbly beach at Yankee Harbour. The waves came crashing in to the bank of pebbles and it washed up all manner of debris. We saw lots of skeletons of various animals including a whole leopard seal skull, which had the boys fascinated by the size of the teeth (which were very impressive).

I must admit that by the time we headed back to the zodiacs for the final return to the ship I was happy to go. I had seen all that I came to see and had really enjoyed my adventure. I felt that topping what we had seen and done would have been impossible so why even try. I went completely satisfied and ready to get back to Ushuaia and start our next part of the adventure.