Day 8 - 20th December

That evening we motored south west down Gerlache Strait.
The morning brough us a sighting of 15 Hump-backed whales (64° 16' S, 61° 51'W) within the one area. Magnificent! The waters are much calmer here.

After another excellent feed for breakfast we donned our gear for another Zodiac trip ashore at the historic British site of Port Lockroy. This is on a very small island and is run by 4 female Brits who give excellent tours od this old station and then let us loose on the excellent shop and post office. Some of you can expect a postcard towards the end of February.
The island's only other inhabitants are the very close (all around the station) colong of Gentoo penguins. On our way back to the Polar Pioneer we put ashore at Jougla Point to inpect some whalebones and views of the bay.
Leaving late in the afternoon,  we were treated to a pod of Orcha Killer whales visiting the penguins.

Backtracking up a narrow channel next to Anvers Island towards the NW and then crossing Gerlache Strait going SE into Andford(?) Bay, we made our way into Neko Harbour (64° 49'S, 62° 39'W). (Via Neumayer Harbour?). 
Another long Zodiac cruise gave us a magnificent tour of very many glaciers falling into the sea. We landed for a walk amongst a large Gentoo penguin colony and a climb up the mountain.
Our zodiac return trip took us very close to a magnificent glacier just under the rookery. Spectacular!
We motored after dinner. The meals produced by our 2 highly skilled Philippino chefs and served by our 2 fantasic Philippino waitresses are excellent. Aurora Expeditions has chosen their staff very well. For that matter all Aurora staff are fabulous. Their experience and skill is top notch.
The presentation by our historian and our Naturalist are wonderful as are the other numerous presentations.