Introduction to today's journey
CONSIDERED the southernmost and most spectacular highlight of most tourist exploration cruises, the Lemaire Channel is perhaps the most spectacular part of all of Antarctica. It was first discovered by a German expedition in 1873 but was not successfully navigated until December 1898 by a Belgian expedition. It was named after Charles Lemaire, a Belgian explorer of the Congo jungle - of all places. The channel provides access to Petermann Island (provided the ice is clear enough to pass through). The island was discovered by the German expedition naming it after geographer August Petermann. A French expedition in 1908 wintered on the sheltered side of the island in what they named Port Circumcision during the French Feast of the Circumcision. Only a cairn remains of that expedition but a refuge hut called Grossac Refuge was built during an Argentine expedition in 1955.
Today's journey returns to the continental mainland south of Anvers Island entering the legendary Lemaire Channel where we are led by a pod of Minke whales. From the end of the channel we continue down to Peterman Island Base where we land. After exploring the area we head up to Port Charcot before heading back through the Lemaire Channel during a spectacular sunset.
Today's Journey
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