RobiNZ Personal Blog

Brazilian birds and flying home | Antarctic Mission Log 19

I had time to kill until my late afternoon flight. My neighbours at home, and others on yesterday's falls tour, suggested Parque das Aves (Bird Park), a privately owned aviary near the Brazilian Falls park entry, was worth a visit. World Expeditions made it easy as I joined their morning 'Falls Trip', but got off at the gate, which meant the transport and border crossing hassle was sorted. Parque Das Aves Parque Das Aves has four enormous 'immersion aviaries' set in sixteen hectares (40 acres) of jungle. Although I'm not a fan of Zoos this appeared to be very well... Read more →

You're going to get wet, Iguazú Falls | Antarctic Mission Log 18

After lunch I joined an optional, but if you're there essential, side trip. We boarded an open top truck for a drive through the jungle to the river about 6km downstream from the falls. There was a commentary and they stopped/slowed for significant flora/fauna, like the fellow below, but the most memorable aspect were the flocks (clouds, flights?) of yellow butterflies, too small to see in photos, which fluttered by as we drove along. Off the truck there was a short walk down to the river. With no breeze, sun, and humidity it was hot! The queue is for the... Read more →

Mission accomplished Iguazú (Argentinian) Falls | Antarctic Mission Log 17

After yesterday's rain it was nice to see the morning sun. Parque Nacional Iguazu, the Argentinian side of the falls, involves much more walking and a full day outdoors. After a repeat of yesterdays shuttle, coach transfer (with an underwhelming 'gift store' stop along the way) to the park we got on a small train. It transfers you from the visitor hub (bottom of the picture below) to the Devils Throat access walkway (top left). From the train long metal walkways led to the falls. The calm before the falls One benefit of mucking around taking photos, is getting left... Read more →

Arrival and Iguaçu (Brazilian) Falls | Antarctic Mission Log 16

It was a relatively early start to catch a mid-morning domestic flight from B.A. to Iguazú but Aeroparque Jorge Newbery is close to the city. I thought had allowed plenty of time but was a little surprised when the Hotel said it would take 15-20 minutes to get a taxi. Turns out the Monday morning rush meant every passing Taxi, on B.A.'s busiest street, was occupied but it wasn't too long before one arrived. Once at the airport incredibly efficient check-in and security clearance (again) meant it was barely ten minutes from taxi to gate! That gave me time to... Read more →

Buenos Aires North Cycling | Antarctic Mission Log 15

Another lovely morning, another BA Bikes tour. I could get used to this kind of 'Día de la marmota'*. It was a short, now familiar, walk back to BA Bikes. It was interesting to see city parking lot prices are relative to vehicle size. For comparison Peso $120 ~ 180 was about nz$3-5 at the time. Maybe Auckland should consider this for the behemoth SUVs & Utes clogging the CBD. Back on the bike The North Tour with Diego (guiding solo) was another delight. Scenic gentle riding on bike paths or quiet back streets with short breaks adding historic, current... Read more →

Buenos Aires South Cycling | Antarctic Mission Log 14

One aspect of the Bristol Hotel I never really got used to was conventional hinged lift (elevator) doors. They didn't open when the lift arrived so, several times, I pressed the call button and waited (absent-mindedly) for a lift which was already there. The Hotel had a great international breakfast included with self serve cereals, fruit (fresh & stewed), pastries (sweet & savoury), ham & cold meats and the usual hotel cooked breakfast eggs, bacon, etc faire if that is your thing. I had a bigger breakfast than usual as (thought) had a full day of exercise ahead of me.... Read more →

Ushuaian farewells, Hello Buenos Aires! | Antarctic Mission Log 13

The last meal, breakfast, was memorable. It was one of many farewells and the chance for all of us to thank the crew who've made this remarkable experience possible. It was great to see the 'behind the scenes' operational crew get as much recognition as the Hotel Crew and Expedition Guides who spent most time with us. They're all vital to making this expedition happen from cast-off to dock. Farewell Ortelius This vessel had been our safe haven in a wild and remote place. Our travels had not really tested her (so lucky with weather) but she had excelled. One... Read more →

Drake Passage Return | Antarctic Mission Log 12

After leaving Deception Island we set sail, North, across Drake Passage for Beagle Channel, then Ushuaia. The Drake crossing also meant more time for lectures including; 'Clouds' | History & geography of Deception Island | Included film of the British scientists escape (rescued by Chilean Navy helicopters) from the 1960s eruption. Eduardo | Aviation in the Antarctic | Aviation's role in exploration and supporting science today in Antarctica. Pippa | Whale research and citizen science | Included www.happywhale.com tracking (and notification when seen again) using distinctive features from tourist photos. Dr Karl: A myriad of topics; my minimal notes were... Read more →

Telefon Bay, Antarctic farewells | Antarctic Mission Log 11

We left Whalers Bay and repositioned to Telefon Bay, further into Port Foster, for the last landing of the trip. It is another snow-free volcanic gravel beach, also geothermally active with obvious steam rising. That may have helped with one activity planned, an Antarctic polar plunge swim off the beach! Telefon Bay was covered in poached krill which the Brown Skua loved. They are large birds (~160 cm wingspan, ~2 kg), about 20% larger than the Black-back Gulls seen in New Zealand. Seems they are not much-admired birds, opportunist scavengers and take penguin chicks (although eat fish too), but I... Read more →

Antarctic Aerodrome no Deception | Antarctic Mission Log 10

While we slept Ortelius headed North through the Ferguson Channel and crossed the Bransfield Strait, heading for Deception Island. It is a flooded caldera; a collapsed volcanic cone 15 km in diameter, rising to 539 m above sea level. Named due to its hidden interior harbour, Port Foster, accessed via a narrow entrance. A sheltered anchorage is a rare thing in this part of the world, so it was a busy sealing/whaling and, later, science and exploration base. Approaching Deception Island and Neptune's Bellows; the entry named for the gusting winds passing through it which must have been 'interesting' in... Read more →