Sandy Supposes....

Day 2 Still Surrounded By White And Surprising Green

Day 2 in Antarctica:

         

         

         Yawn. Stretch. I feel like a sled dog as I awaken and shake off fresh snow. I never dreamed I'd be digging my way out of slumber. I am grateful for my longjohns and the cozy bivy sack. This super crisp, fresh air zonks me out.

         Chocolate for breakie and strong, hot tea. Why not?

         . I tripped over my own two feet climbing into the zodiac. Ice is everywhere. Wow, the towering icebergs are majestic! They are enormous, silent sentries. I wonder how old they are and what they've witnessed. This zodiac slices through the water effortlessly. My kayak weary arms appreciate this.

          My gasp is involuntary. Green snow? I don't see this at home. Our guide explained this is a phenomenon attributed to algae, global warming and penguin poop. Huh. Apparently, penguin guano is high in nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas. Is poop a laughing matter? We were told red and orange algae snow exists, too.Bizarre.

         I espied a few hundred or so waddling, cuddling penguins. Smart birds, they create chick care groups known as creches, the equivalent of our child day cares. One adult penguin is left in charge to permit parents to forage. Even penguins need a break from their offspring. When swimmimg in the frigid water, they are well camouflaged by their dark feathers.

         The resident leopard seals kept their distance from the zodiac. As I understand it, they hunt penguins in or near the open water. The penguins feel safe on land in their large groups.

          We toured The Vernadsky Research Base. What an impressive station in the middle of nowhere. I love the story of its origins and subsequent change of owners. Back in 1947, the British established this base and in 1996 they sold it to Ukraine for an entire pound. It was deemed too expensive to dismantle and it thrives today with numerous scientific studies.

         Wow, an impressive bar boasts that it's the southernmost bar in the world. We all sampled its wares and toasted our wonderful guides. Of course, there was no shortage of ice. It felt relaxing to shuck my heavy parka, toque, scarf and mitts.

         Returning to our sea taxi, we indulged in a brief snowball fight.