Day 9 – Antarctica – The Polar Plunge

Day 9 in Antarctica started with a cruise expedition where I saw more amazing sights and wildlife including an Argentine base:

Penguins:

Amazing blue waters…

…and a unique block of ice that looked more like a crystal ball that our guide brought onto the zodiac…

Later that afternoon, I would partake in the polar plunge which is basically jumping into the freezing cold ocean! On a regular day at home, I take cold showers and I am used to doing plunges at different spas, but this was different. Apparently, a cold shower is about 10C. The waters on this day were -1C! Prior to doing the plunge, the boat provides unlimited shots of tequila, and I had 3 before, and one after. The worst part of the plunge is actually the time period just before you jump in. They strap a wet cold belt for safety around your waist. Once you jump, its not that bad.

…anyway, after the plunge, I went straight to the hot tub and then the rest of the night was a blur from all the alcohol that would follow…tomorrow, our final day in Antarctica, we do one last day of expeditions before heading back across the Drake Passage…