Antarctica Again - 2013/2014

Hi Everyone - 

Just noted the date of my last Antarctic post - 18th December 2012 - almost a year to the day - not that anything much has happened the past 363 days.

My UN missions this year were to Lebanon, Israel, West Bank and Jordan before I pulled the pin late August on that work and returned to Brisbane for two weeks before flying to Hobart mid September to join the AAD and prepare for another season south.

I have stepped sideways from being a Radio Trainer with the UN to now being a Driver Trainer / Communications Trainer, with the odd requirement to install satellite tracking systems and satphones into UN vehicles. 

I spent 3 weeks in Beirut installing vehicles from Syria with the tracking system and adding satphones to their vehicles.  This was in support to the UN’s involvement in the Syrian conflict.  We were not allowed entry into Syria so two armoured vehicles were driven daily from Damascus to Beirut for us to install the necessary equipment.

Attaching the tracking system wiring to the vehicles ignition wires.
[6 stories below in the 'dungeon'].

We were conducting Driver Training in the ski fields of Beirut.

It was my first time to each of those four countries so was interesting to see the culture and landscape.  While in Jericho we were taken to Hisham's Palace  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisham's_Palace which as you could imagine was a pretty amazing experience.

Hisham's Palace window.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hishams_Palace_window_Author_MDarter.jpg

Also whilst I was in Jericho, I managed a dip in the Dead Sea, which was an unusual feeling of just floating around without having to tread water.  It was strongly advised to float on your back and not on your stomach due to the salt contact and possible heart issues.

Strange feeling floating around on your back. 

I was told the mud would help my hair grow … true Hiba!! :))

Didn't stop for a beer, but as it says, its 418 metres below sea level.

I accidently tasted the water when I flicked water out of my beard and a drop landed in my mouth – arghhh it was horrid!!

'Safe Dead Sea Bathing' rules.

I was impressed with the young male lifeguard who had a .45 in the waistband of his shorts!   It was on the Israel and Palestine border I guess, but I did wonder if they shot those drowning so as not to have to enter the water. [Joking].

Before sailing from Hobart to Antarctica though, I thought it best to fly my daughter, Jasmine, from Canberra, her brother, Jamie, from Brisbane, and my two younger sons, Sam and Brian from Perth all to Melbourne to meet up with me for the weekend. 

Sam, Jamie, Lesley, Jasmine, Brian

It was great to catch up with them all again as it had been awhile since the five of us had been together in one place.   We had a few drinks, a couple of meals, attended my wedding, a trip up to Vic Markets and then maybe another round of drinks.  It was only a short get together, as we all arrived in Melbourne on the Friday afternoon and departed on the Sunday. 

Oh, and I mentioned ‘wedding’ – 12^th October 2013.   Lesley and I met while down south, and she is a chef by trade and this season is wintering [12 months] at Davis while I’m doing the summer. [4 months].  We were together last season at Davis, and in fact I now call Brisbane home where we now reside [well she actually lives there, I store my meager belongings in a storage shed nearby]. 

We flew Lesley's Mum, Maureen, down from Brisbane while also a good friend of ours, Bill [Station Leader last season at Davis and this season] and his wife Christine also attended.

Lesley and I.

Lesley's Mum, Maureen.

and again, the two of us.

Gotta say …. she's looking good!!

We had spoke about where our relationship was heading and thought of marrying sometime next year, as she was not going to return to Antarctica.   Anyhow she was asked by the Australian Antarctic Division to summer/winter this season.  Thus we had to change our plans.  So instead of waiting until her return [end of 2014], we married three days before we sailed south.   Honeymoon onboard the Aurora Australia [P&O cruise you could say] at no cost [in fact a paid honeymoon - doesn't get much better than that huh]!!.

So on the 15th October 2013, some 80-odd Antarctic expeditioners boarded and sailed from Hobart for Davis. 

Boarding the Aurora Australis.

Sailing down the Derwent River, Tasmania.
[Me in the foreground speaking with Brian].

And it was a tad bouncy at times .. swell was up around 8 metres.

The voyage was expected to take approximately 12 days and cover nearly 5000 kilometres.  In fact the journey took 23 days as we were delayed and challenged by thick pack ice whilst still a long way from Davis.

And also a tad frozen.

From the very outset we knew this trip was going to be special as within hours of departure we experienced bad weather, which lasted about five days.  Many of the expeditioners were laid up with seasickness during this time.

For many, this was their first trip south and they had not experienced shipboard life before.  Although the Aurora Australis is a P&O ship it definitely is not a cruise ship. We are expected to assist with basic duties on the ship and also continue with their Antarctic training.  

The training consists of compass and GPS knowledge, map reading, knot tying, search and rescue principles, some first aid and also radio communications.  I was asked to deliver the radio training again this voyage to 70 expeditioners, which is good as it allows everyone to have received the training before arriving at Davis and having an understanding of the required procedures when using the radio for the first time.  Of course I am required to provide follow up training, however conducting the training whilst on the way down is an added bonus.

Another day, another class.

Despite the work and training workload there was ample time to enjoy the sights nature had on offer whilst standing on the decks.  Which includes the taking of the mandatory 'Voyage Photo'.

Where's Wally?? Not too difficult to find me!!

This group of expeditioners bonded quickly and set about creating a social environment, which everyone enjoyed, these activities included photo competitions, lectures, games, quiz nights and a highly enjoyable BBQ on the trawl deck once the ship made it to the pack ice.

The ice was the thickest it has been for years.  In fact it had been predicted as satellite images had shown the density and vastness of the ice.  The ship went around in circles, backwards and forwards and on some occasions only moving a couple of nautical miles in a day.  We even had to make several detours due to large icebergs being directly in front of us.

An extremely large iceberg in front of us.  We pushed towards the left of the berg.
It was enormous, possible 30km long [as shown on the radar image].

Open water was usually around some of the bergs which made for a quick and easy transit.

Sunset whilst pushing through the pack ice.

Captain Eccles.

Nice clouds.

Tween decks. 

Reasons why I continue enjoying coming south - the solitude ...

the peace and the patterns ….

the light and shadows ….

Really no comments for the above pics - they speak for themselves .
[Though Hiba may have something to say about me being in one of them!!].

Eventually we arrived Davis and commenced the resupply and changeover of wintering crew.

Home!! Four months for me, 13 for Lesley.

Will leave the story there for now – plenty more has happened since our arrival, including a serious Search and Rescue when one of our helicopters crashed while on a trip, my visit to Gardners Island to see the Adelie penguins, and a host more pics of the trip south and the wildlife encountered.

More of that next blog – oh okay GVLP one for you guys waiting for the penguins …

Quack Quack!!

Regards - Mick

PS: Thanks to Bill & Ana and to Ryan for keeping Mum …. made things a lot easier for me !!