Paradise Harbor and the Lemaire Channel

We found paradise today, and we’ll share its location with you. It is 64º 51’ S and 62º 54’W and it is called Paradise Harbor. How can paradise and the rest of our day possibly be described with a few feeble strokes tapped out on a keyboard? We’ll start with a picture, and then tell you about the rest.

Calm waters reflected the peaks circling the bay of Paradise Harbor twofold, albeit half of them were now upside down. This was our first landing on the Antarctic Continent and the smiles were only apparent by the creased lines at the corners of our eyes; every other inch of skin was swathed in fleece, zipped into bright red jackets and stuffed into rubber boots.

Research Station soon found that they were overdressed. The climb was worth the effort for the lofty view that it provided, as well as the few seconds of reliving our childhood. Some chose the “hysterical historical” way down and with the aide of gravity came down via “Shackleton-esque” fashion - on their backsides!

A perfect activity for a calm, quiet, and immeasurably beautiful place is peaceful paddling in a kayak. The bay became speckled with banana yellow kayaks interspersed with sapphire blue icebergs.

Leaving our morning paradise, we headed for Lemaire Channel. At the end of this pinched, seven mile long channel, we reached our southernmost point of 65º 6.82’ South. We celebrated the grandeur of the landscape and the occasion as well with a group photograph. All of us snuggled together on the bow, including our Captain Lampe!

The lament was heard over and over again today as images were captured in pixels or on film. The photographer would come out from behind their viewfinder and say with a sigh, “This picture will never catch this moment and feeling.” They’re right, and that is why we have traveled to Antarctica. A small picture and a few lines of text will not convey our day; instead they will act as a reminder of our day of bliss on ice and snow and water. And if you have not come and sailed with us to the White Continent, then consider our little picture and text an invitation to come and experience the paradise of Antarctica.