Here we are today simply sailing along trying to reach a particular place en route where apparently tide times dictate our landing on the Zodiac’s for a walk about. Frustratingly, we were meant to pull aside a glacier this morning for a zodiac drive by, but as has occurred more than once, something changes and plans alter without much notice (sit here clad in multiple layers as zodiac trips a tad cooler (!) to then need to undress like some ‘pass the parcel’ game, many layers eventually unraveling appropriate clothing!).
Yesterday was much the same, poddling along looking at a passing enormous glacier and various rock formations, then an afternoon landing where we confess, stretching our sea legs was most welcome! Looking at neglected (thankfully!) old whaling huts and fossils, flora and rock formations, and an English couple ‘stuck in the mud’ (though certainly not looking like they were playing some playground game having been caught by the opposing team!). This mud is like super glue quick sand – wellies so urgently sucked up and gloop not releasing its prey resulted in the poor fellows needing to step out of their boots, fall into the gloop and stagger off as able men then tried to retrieve said boots!
We have to confess, our preference is the pack ice sailing areas rather than open water, and how lucky we were to see the polar bear so close to our ship, for now all creatures appear to be dodging us. The bright blue skies are now tinged with grey and the ship flag no longer droops, but billows gayfully as winds increase!
Following a pretty ‘lumpy’ evening where walking became quite a laughable challenge, winds on deck just about holding us upright with the need to cling on essential! Needless to say, many fellow passengers, after a somewhat rocky night, looking a tad green today and I even felt I needed to crack open the Kwells for husband (firstly thinking it was his wine/cider consumption the night before and lack of sleep !).
We did an afternoon walk across a glacier, surprisingly non skiddy as the ice feels like stunning glass interspersed periodically with tiny stones, then a lot of slidey mud gloop – natural ice shapes stunning and the Arctic haunting silence allowing for the hearing of ice particles running along the little stream jangling like church bells – beautiful…
After a stable night simply anchored aside the glacier we are now moving off to another glacier for a RIB boat ride along next to it, then everything permitting, another walk about this afternoon. Tonight is dress up in white night (?!) and the band – should be a laugh as we all share our last night together, then last day tomorrow …. back to land and flight home.
The End Bit ….
What an adventure – words cannot convey the sheer stillness and solitude of the Arctic – the reflection of your soul looking up at you from the depths of the icy ocean – as home routines rush by at a such pace without allowing a pause for breath, this amazing place, within our enormous world, encourages the deepest breath of the freshest air ever taken down within you and a new outlook on life considered …. Note to self: Slow down ….. This was THE ARCTIC …
