Neko Harbour, Antarctica
Friday, January 21, 2011
After an early dinner, we reached Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay where we were able to set foot on continental Antarctica. The principal attraction on this landing was the Rudolph Glacier, a vast body of snow and ice that regularly calves icebergs into the dark gunmetal blue waters. After our landing on the pebbly grey beach, we hiked uphill towards a lookout with a stunning view over Rudolph Glacier and the glass-like surface of the harbour as it approached 11:00pm in the evening. We heard the crackling of ice and the distant rumble of ice breaking as pieces broke off the face of the glacier and plunged into the dark abyss below. On our return to the ship, the expedition leader, Stefan, and his staff greeted passengers on the helipad with champagne against a gorgeous canvas of icebergs, the glacier and Andvord Bay.
