Posts From Southern Ocean

It is finally boarding day, though not without some twists and turns. Check out of the hotel at 11:00am, wait around for a "city tour" starting at 13:00 and finally at 16:00 we are at the port boarding our ship the Greg Mortimer, and getting the first look at our cabin and the other ship board facilities.

Our first full day aboard the vessel was given over to all kinds of briefings, including an intro to IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and their rules regarding the expected behaviour of tourists like us while ashore and afloat in the Antarctic Region.