We are now at Pourquoi Pas Island in Marguerite Bay on the peninsula of Antarctica. We weren’t able to land because of the ice shelf; however, we were able to take a zodiac ride and get up close to the coast. We saw lots of penguins, a squa bird (a predator of penguins) and a leopard seal (also a predator of penguins). The type of penguins we saw today are called Adelie penguins and they feed on krill, a shrimp-like organism. When we see pink snow in a penguin colony it means they’ve been feeding on krill—and it’s not a tribute to Susan Komen breast cancer awareness!

This morning we watched a “rolling” iceberg, an amazing image! Icebergs become shaped like a mushroom because they melt faster in the water than in the air. Eventually, an iceberg becomes heavy and will roll over and find a new balance point. It’s this process that sculpts the unusual shapes we see.

Temperature today is about 30 degrees and very little wind. This morning we were in a snow squall but now the sea is very calm and the sun is trying to  pierce through the clouds.

This afternoon we will move to a different site, more fjord-like,  and hopefully be able to actually set foot on Antarctica.

I never thought I’d “workout” at home and I used to steer clear of anything resembling a gym, fitness center, etc. Well, I finally succumbed to improving my fitness (in order to be able to continue to indulge in Good & Plenty guilt-free!). I had yet to commit to this insane fitness quest while on vacation. In fact, I believed that I’d workout in a hotel fitness center or on-board a ship only when pigs fly! Consider yourself warned that you may spot some flying pigs—yep, there been sitings of Barbara working out in Santiago and aboard the National Geographic Explorer. So, when you see some “bacon-to-be” flying by your window, you’ll now know why!

Finally, today’s factoid: the weather in Antarctica changes very rapidly. In fact, the “sun trying pierce” stuff I just wrote has changed to a small blizzard and back again!

are now at Pourquoi Pas Island in Marguerite Bay on the peninsula of Antarctica. We weren’t able to land because of the