(Tuesdsay 26th February – about 6pm ships time – 9pm GMT)
Just as two of the Fearless Four sat down in the ship’s lounge to enjoy a well earned (well, we though it well earned) gin and tonic, the Captain applied the brakes and the Fram came to a shuddering halt. Whales had been spotted off the starboard bow in large numbers and the Captain had given permission for the ship to be manoeuvered into position to allow all on board enjoy the spactacle of what seemed like dozens of Humpbacks feeding on the giant shoals of krill, a small prawn-like fish that swim on the water’s surface.
For fully 30 minutes, we watched as these massive animals ducked and dived and rose majestically from the water before falling back with their giant tails in the air. At times they seemed to roll over before skimming the surface with their cavernous mouths agape, scooping up tons of krill with every mouthful. The show hadn’t concluded when the ship unfortunately had to continue on it’s way. But for many, this had been a real highlight of the voyage.
Location: In the Gerlache Straits, off the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula at about 64′ 50” South