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We just returned from an expedition to Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions. It was so amazing that I am at a loss for words to describe the magic, the mystery, and the moods of this continent (me—at a loss for words???). So, please enjoy this slideshow.

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

Quick update: we left Ushuaia, Argentina on Thursday evening aboard the National Geographic Explorer and we are headed towards the Antarctic peninsula. We crossed the Drake Passage with their usual rough seas (thank goodness we brought seasickness patches and never got sick!). In the wee hours of this morning we crossed the Antarctic Convergence and are officially in the Antarctic Circle. Weather is brisk, skies are spitting snow, and there is the ever present Antarctic wind. As we approach Antarctica the days are quite long and nights are quite short. For example, the sun rose today at 3:00 AM and will not set until 12:08 AM tomorrow. Tomorrow we’ll reach Marguerite Bay and take our first Zodiac ride to shore! FACTOID FOR TODAY: Antarctica is the windiest of the seven continents.

Okay, this time I am taking NO chances. Tuesday we’ll arrive in Santiago, Chile on our way to experience Lindblad’s Antarctica aboard the new National Geographic Explorer. We are supposed to have Internet connectivity; however, after the fiasco in China, I’m not too sure I’ll be able to connect to my blog (Mr. Blog Host, have you fixed the problem, yet????). So, in case I can’t blog in real time, here’s our itinerary:

December 9 – 10 — Santiago/Grand HyattWe arrive in Santiago this morning. With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, Santiago makes a spectacular and welcoming first impression — as does our hotel, the Hyatt Santiago, located in a gracious residential neighborhood. In the afternoon, we have a panoramic overview of the city including a visit to the Pre-Columbian Museum. Return to the Hyatt for a relaxing dinner. December 11 — Fly from Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark ShipThe morning’s LAN Chile charter flight offers some rare views as we fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. We’ll have lunch during a catamaran cruise of the scenic Beage Channel before embarking National Geographic Explorer.December 12 — At Sea