First landing!!

There is no other way to describe today: it was Spectacular!

Because we lucked out with getting a "Drake Lake", we had made such good time that we could make our first landing today.

As we approached the Shetland Islands we spotted whales (so close to the boat it didn't seem real), seals and penguins jumping in the water, and icebergs that were so picturesque that I wish I would have spent the $800 on a wide angled lense.  My pictures are still pretty good but it doesn't encompass all of the beauty.

We made our first landing on Aitcho Island. There were THOUSANDS of penguins. We were so close it was amazing. If you sat still long enough they would come right up to you.  We also spotted a leopard seal that was just swimming up and down the shoreline waiting for his chance at one of the penguin chicks who, for this time of year, needed to get in the water, or they wouldn't survive the winter.  But thr Leopard Seal knows that the chicks are not experienced. At one point there was a group of us right along the shore and the Leopard Seal made a charge for one of the penguins.  As much as I would have hated to see it, we would have had a front row seat to witness the circle of life.

The whole day was amazing!