I am sitting here on the ship looking out the window. We have had an enormous wandering albatross following us all day. The bird guy says he has an 11-foot wingspan. He’s riding an air stream off the ship that goes right by our window. It is so cool. It really is amazing here – everything they said it would be. The water churned up by the propellers is an amazing teal color, the air is so remarkably clean – event the pictures we take are strikingly clear.

It’s been such a long journey down, by the time we make the first landing tomorrow we will have been on the road for 6 days. It’s hard to believe that such a remote place still exists in our newly small world. The naturalists say the animals have no fear of humans at all – although they did mention one petrel that will protect its nest by projectile vomiting at intruders. Is that a fear response or just an insult? Tomorrow we get to go sea kayaking and swim in Deception Cove – although the guide says it’s more like a wallow in slightly less frigid waters than bathing in the spa-like waters that the brochure promised us. Still, it’s a pretty good way to end the year.

Well, they are announcing cocktails at the Captain’s welcome dinner…..duty calls. Then I am finally going to get a picture of that albatross! He’s been hiding from my camera all day.

Ly and Erin – Love you both, be sure you have coordinated you New Year’s plans and that I won’t need to kill anyone as a result. Hi Alea! You would have loved the seals!

- Becky