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"This is a message for the Kayakers"

This daily announcement brought pangs of jealousy to 95% of the passengers on our cruise, but for the lucky 5% who got to be a part of the special little clique than everyone else on board envied, it brought spikes of excitement and anticipation.

Kayaking in Antarctica is expensive - but it turns out it is worth every penny!

During our time in Antarctica, we were able to kayak for about half of our landings.  Sure, there were days at the beginning when it was rough, and wet and cold
First kayaking day at Half Moon Island. It was cold and snowing thick, wet snow. BRR!
First kayaking day at Half Moon Island. It was cold and snowing thick, wet snow. BRR! (Erin Correia)

But then there were days like this
Blown away by the stunning colors of the ice at Pleneau Island
Blown away by the stunning colors of the ice at Pleneau Island (Erin Correia)

and they made it all worthwhile!

The second half of our trip was met by smooth seas and fantastic kayaking conditions.  The water was like glass and the quiet of Antarctica is amazing.  To hear literally nothing but the sound of your paddle hitting the water is so unreal.  Then, all of a sudden, as you're making your way through the iceberg graveyard, you hear intense thunder rumbling all around you.  As you search the sky for the storm rolling in, your guide informs you that it is just the sound of a glacier calving!
Team Kayak!
Team Kayak! (Erin Correia)

While everyone else was out exploring by zodiac, we had harbors and bays all to ourselves.  We watched penguins try to hop up on icebergs and splash in the water all around us
Beautiful day to kayak in Skorntorp Cove
Beautiful day to kayak in Skorntorp Cove (Erin Correia)

Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: We ended up listening to 3 different pairs of whales and saw lots of penguins!
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: We ended up listening to 3 different pairs of whales and saw lots of penguins! (Erin Correia)

Anvord Bay- Neko Harbour: A little gentoo taking a look my way as he passed by.
Anvord Bay- Neko Harbour: A little gentoo taking a look my way as he passed by. (Erin Correia)

and had contests to see who could hit the most "bergy bits" while making our way through Paradise Harbour
Our kayaks in line at Skorntorp Cove
Our kayaks in line at Skorntorp Cove (Erin Correia)
Skorntorp Cove: It was full of "bergy bits" that were chunks of ice that broke off icebergs
Skorntorp Cove: It was full of "bergy bits" that were chunks of ice that broke off icebergs (Erin Correia)

We usually stuck together as a team,
The waters were finally calm enough for the kayakers! Go team Kayak!
The waters were finally calm enough for the kayakers! Go team Kayak! (Erin Correia)
Heading back to the ship from Skorntorp Cove in Paradise Harbour
Heading back to the ship from Skorntorp Cove in Paradise Harbour (Erin Correia)

but we also had the chance to spread out on our own and just sit and take in Antarctica in a truly special way
Sitting on my own listening to the sounds of ice crackle and move around me. So cool!
Sitting on my own listening to the sounds of ice crackle and move around me. So cool! (Erin Correia)
More bergy bits in Skorntorp Cove
More bergy bits in Skorntorp Cove (Erin Correia)


Kayaking gave us the chance to encounter wildlife more closely than the rest of the people on the ship.  We got up close and personal with seals (read more about this in my next blog)
Spotted our first leopard seal of the trip in Skorntorp Cove!
Spotted our first leopard seal of the trip in Skorntorp Cove! (Erin Correia)

and with whales. 

Our last outing was unbelivable.  The water was like glass and you could hear nothing but silence in every direction.  Then, after the rumble of another glacier calving, you'd hear the sound of a whale breathing.  We'd set off in the direction of the noise to find a humpback mother and calf logging (sleeping at the surface of the water).
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: We go so close that we could literally smell their breath! Amazing!
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: We go so close that we could literally smell their breath! Amazing! (Erin Correia)

We were able to get right up next to them - so close that we could actually smell their breath every time they exhaled!  We just sat there watching them and listening to the breathe. 
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: This mother dove in the water and swam right underneath our zodiac!
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: This mother dove in the water and swam right underneath our zodiac! (Erin Correia)

As they woke up and moved on, we would listen for another pair and set off to watch them for a while
Made our way into Anvord Bay, as people went ashore, the kayakers took off  Neko Harbour
Made our way into Anvord Bay, as people went ashore, the kayakers took off Neko Harbour (Erin Correia)
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: Absolute peacefulness in hearing all of the sounds of Antarctica. So surreal!
Anvord Bay-Neko Harbour: Absolute peacefulness in hearing all of the sounds of Antarctica. So surreal! (Erin Correia)

It was such an amazing experience!

If you are going to Antarctica, and you have a chance to sign up for kayaking, do not miss out on this phenomenal opportunity!
Kayaking in Skorntorp Cove
Kayaking in Skorntorp Cove (Erin Correia)

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