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Day 5 - Antarctica - Here we are!

12/13/2014

18 Comments

 
Today we awoke to some more stormy seas.  While I was sleeping, I heard some crashing sounds.  I am not making this up!  In my dreams, I believed we were crashing through ice.  I kind of assumed that when I woke, I would see nothing but floating ice – gently passing by the ship.  No. Such. Luck.  I still don’t know what those sounds were, and I wasn’t the only one who heard the crashing noises.  Even more, there was one point in which I felt like I was standing while I was sleeping in bed!  The boat was defiantly rocking back and forth. 

The morning started off with a mandatory meeting for everybody visiting the white continent.  We have to respect that this is the last region that has been virtually untouched by man.  No trash.  No smoking (not that Mr. S. would ever do that!).  And absolutely no disturbing the natural wildlife.  They announced that we would be making trips and touching ground on Antarctica today!  You could sense that excitement as the room gasped.  

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Our first footsteps would be on Barrientos Island (Aitcho Group) – a part of the South Shetland Islands.  As we got closer to the islands, you could feel the waters begin to settle.  Then, clank, clank, clank… the anchor descended into the water!  We were no longer doing our funny balancing dances to get around the boat. 

Mr. Sanders and I found out that we were going to be in the morning exposition party to go out!  We put on our long underwear, thermal pants, wool socks and finally our outer layer garments.  Before we stepped on the zodiac boats, we had to have our clothing checked to “decontaminate” it.  We wanted to make sure there weren’t any seeds or anything else that could harm the Antarctic environment as a result of our visit.  Geared up, we stepped into a special solution and carefully stepped into our boat.  The water was spectacular. The air had a brisk chill but nothing worse than Chicago at all.  We were boating in the English Strait to the islands. 

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We landed and made our way to the base camp where they explained some basic rules and that helped us keep safe but observe the nature.  There were penguins immediately to the right of our boat!  Immediately, there was a sour odor in the air.  The ground was covered in this reddish colors goop.  Yes, it was Penguin poop!  The naturalist explained that it was a good thing that the color was red.  The red indicated that the penguins had a very healthy diet of krill – the major food supply for the penguins.  Good or not – it smelled HORRIBLE.  There were penguins nesting, penguins walking, penguins falling and penguins just lying around.  There were many penguins sitting on their nests. I saw them try to steal rocks from one nest to another.  Sometimes they were successful; other times, they were not.  At one point, there was a giant bird flying overhead and I heard naturalist Andy say, “Ut oh…”  I was quick and got my camera out. There it was – a bird stealing a penguin egg!  It was exciting and sad.  It is what happens in nature.  

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Look close!  Can you see the penguin egg being taken?!?
18 Comments
Kristy Kuntz
12/13/2014 03:53:45 am

How amazing! The boys are loving your adventure!

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Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:19:26 am

I miss Nick and Josh so much! They would LOVE to be here. The penguins are so cute! Tell them to show the blog to their teacher!

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Angela Crawford
12/13/2014 04:54:23 am

i feel like I'm there with you! Great writing!

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Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:18:32 am

Ms. Crawford... You ARE with me in so many ways! Wishing you were here with me! Mr. Sanders says, "Hello!" What an adventure!

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Gregory
12/13/2014 06:40:34 am

Hi,Mr.Szymanski,I liked your photos!There was a lot of Penguins in the last photo.I was Wondering If there was any New Things you saw.And Some of my Suggestions for how many Penguins are there:is 100!

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Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:17:33 am

That is a great question Gregory! There are too many to count! I really think that you have asked a question I need to talk to the naturalists about. I will seek out your answer!

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Mr. S.
12/14/2014 04:18:07 am

Hey Gregory, I asked one of the naturalists about how many penguins there were at that rookery. She said there were about 5,000 nests. That means about 10,000 penguins!!! Wow!

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Tameca Lyons
12/13/2014 02:32:07 pm

Taylor is so excited about the blog and is reading it everyday...the cowl scarf looks great!!! =D

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Mr. S.
12/14/2014 04:00:21 am

I love, love, love that Taylor is reading the blog! I adore the scarf and honestly can't imagine being here without it! I wear it EVERYWHERE! Many of the crew have given me compliments on it! I think of Taylor so much! oxoxo Mr .S.

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Aaliya
12/13/2014 02:42:30 pm

Mr. S. I was sad to see the bird take the egg. Hope papa penguin is ok. I love the pictures. I hope you are keeping warm. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

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Mr. S.
12/14/2014 04:01:43 am

Hi Aaliya! Yeah, it was sad to see the penguin egg get snatched. Though, that is part of what keeps things alive down here. I saw a penguin that did not survive today. That was sad. The penguins are soooooo cute! Miss you! Mr. S.

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Kathy Hagstrom link
12/14/2014 04:57:43 am

Dear Tom,

It is most incredible to think that you are so far away from us. It's 50 in Chicago today. How is this surreal experience affecting your spiritual life? Do you feel closer to God? Do you think that we will ever have a civilization in Antarctica? I've checked on your class a few times. They are well trained, therefore, everyone is loving them. Evie showed up at school onFriday. She's "itching" to come back but her doctor said, "No," until after the break. Do you find that you are ineffable when it comes to relating your experience? Miss you. XO KH

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Mr. S.
12/14/2014 12:24:56 pm

Dr. Hagstrom, I think of all of you every second of every day! While I know I am far, the kids really reading and connecting to my time here is amazing. It makes me want to steal every free second to write so they can know what I am doing. Antarctica is pristine, grande and precious. The life that is here is ALIVE and available if you have just a little patience. Everybody should make this journey. It is incredible! Miss all of you!!! OXOX Mr. S.

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Olivia
12/14/2014 11:02:08 am

I love all the red scenery haha! What other types of animals are you getting to see there?

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Mr. S.
12/14/2014 12:19:33 pm

Livy, do you know what the "red scenery" is? Once you know that, do you know WHY it is actually red? Mr. S.

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Olivia
12/16/2014 11:30:49 am

Yes I know what the red scenery is...but my mom is making me be polite!

Mr. S.
12/17/2014 04:17:51 am

Your mom cracks me up! Good "research" on the mysterious red color! It certainly does not smell like roses! Ha!

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yusuf link
12/11/2016 09:46:41 am

you must had a good time and I liked your adventure amazing.

Reply



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    Author

    Mr. Szymanski is a 7th Grade Math, Reading and Writing Teacher at Gary Elementary school in Chicago, IL He is bringing the world to his classroom with the help of National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Here, he chronicles his adventures to Antarctica and South America in December 2014. 

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  • Home
  • 7th Grade Reading
  • 7TH GRADE GO MATH
  • Parents
  • Online Resources
  • Antarctica Travel Blog
  • Iceland Blog - In search of trolls, fairies and geysers!
  • Antarctica - National Geographic
  • Blood on the River
  • Chapter 1 The Number System
  • 8th Chapter 1: The Number System
  • Antarctica Travel Blog