From Penguin Bukta, we'll be traveling by helicopter to the S.A.Agulhas II, which is currently awaiting our arrival off-shore after having delivered supplies from South Africa to the researchers who work in this part of Antarctica. In all, it will take about a full day to get to the ship!
Before we depart, we're checking over our polar gear, which has arrived in Cape Town. It may be summer in Antarctica, but that doesn't mean it's going to be shorts weather! We'll be happy to have special cold-weather apparel like salopettes (snow pants), insulated winter jackets, thick ski socks, insulated gloves, extra glove liners, balaclavas (an insulated hood that covers your neck and most of your face), a neck warmer, a hat, ice boots (with spikes for traction on slippery surfaces) and plenty of long-underwear!
We will be spending New Year's Eve and the first hours of 2019 in Antarctica! It will be wonderful to ring in the new year aboard the S.A.Agulhas II, our home for the next several weeks. I'll be sharing a lot more about my colleagues and the ship itself as we weigh anchor and journey out into the Weddell Sea, but for now, it's time to catch my flight!
