Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica

An overcast grey day at Palmer Archipelago where we had visitors to the Vaandam from the Palmer Research Station.  These folks told us about the research being conducted in the Antarctic as well as the logistics of life there.  We cruised the Le Maire Straight enjoying spectacular vistas.  In the morning it was comfortable enough be outside, but the visibility became poor and there were snow flurries by mid-afternoon.  The folks from Palmer Research Station left the ship at one PM.  We will not soon forget the sight of those two small boats passing a giant iceberg as they entered the bay on their way back to the station.  The white landscape and grey-blue ocean framed the folks aboard, who looked like small red dots.  It is difficult to imagine the life they must lead in such an isolated and inhospitable frozen landscape.