Procida, Italy

This tiny island (1.6 sq. mi.) is located in the Bay of Naples off the southern coast of Italy. It is home to only 10,000 people. It’s tourist population, which is small consists largely of Italians from the mainland. The mainland is only a 40 minute high-speed ferry away. It is a very romantic place which may explain why it was the location for the 1994 Academy Award winning movie Il Postino (The Postman). The sea surrounding this island is a deep crystalline blue.

The view toward mainland Italy. Although this island is a relatively short ferry, it is a world and time apart. At times it seemed to me that I had been transported back in time to a much simpler and innocent world. This fact was so refreshing that I could well imagine spending more time here.
The old walled city. Which contains a palazzo, museum, and several bars. The area I am shooting from has many oceanfront restaurants and bars.
View from the walled city. This is without a doubt the most photographed view on the island. Just check Google Images of Procida to confirm.
Front street of the ferry port. The entire island is “walk friendly” unless you consider the extreme narrowness and no sidewalks on some of the streets. The other pedestrian hazards are the scooters and motorcycles. Although it appears as that the few stop signs on the island are merely suggestions, and that few other driving rules exist, I did not witness one traffic incident in the 6 days I spent here. Hard to imagine any level of intoxicated driving could end well.
Typical street on the island. Notice the ample sidewalks. The other very stark contrast to Naples is the litter free streets here. While Naples had more than its share of litter and overflowing dumpsters, Procida had none.
These ebikes are the best way to get around on the island. This was my choice for transportation. The extra wide tires and extended battery packs were completely necessary for both the cobblestone roads and the hills on the island.
A typical beach on the island. I had a great swim and soak in the water before I took note that no one else was in the water beyond their ankles. That was because of jellyfish in the water this day.
Cala del Pozzo Vecchio, the beach featured in il Postino is very romantic indeed. Besides the beauty, I enjoyed the fact that while I was in the water I wasn’t worried about my cameras and gear on the beach being ripped-off. The primary beachgoers are young local families.
Another shot of this very beautiful beach.
It is not hard to imagine that this romantic spot plays host to numerous marriage proposals. Just check out this young couple. I shot this image with a 400mm zoom. It appeared as though she was proposing to him, and judging by their smiles he was saying yes in Italian.

Patagonia and the Chilean Fiords

Seeing some green again…

After 13 days in and getting to Antarctica, during which time the color green was non-existent, I began seeing the color green again.  It didn’t occur to me while I wasn’t seeing it how much I missed it.  While I was awestruck by the raw beauty of Antarctica, seeing the contrast of colors here is in a different way, its own beauty.  I went white water river rafting on the Petrohue’ River.  The river was really running.  In parts it appeared as though it was boiling.  

Rafting on the Petrohue’ River with the volcano known as Villarrica in the background.
Class 4 rapids as this is near the high season for river flows. This was a challenging and exhilarating rafting trip today.

Looks as though we lost a few.
Hold on.
Receding glacier. See these while they are still here. It is quite disturbing how quickly these are disappearing.
Melting glaciers.
Once glacier filled, this valley is now devoid of any such ice forms.
View to the stern during our AM sail through this beautiful area.
View of a bay in the “glacier alley” of the Beagle Channel.
Pictured above is the Santa Leonor which sank in March 1968, over 50 years ago. This ship was formerly known as the USS Riverside and was an American Bayfield-class attack ship that was built in 1944. It served during WWII fighting against Imperial Japan.
Just like the Neil Young & Crazy Horse album, “Rust never sleeps,” neither does this rust. Close up of the rusting hull.

Lemaire and Nuemayer Channels, Antarctica

Lemaire Channel has steep cliffs that hem in this iceberg-filled passage, which is only 7 miles long (11km) and only 1,600 meters wide. The surrounding formations also serve to protect the water, so much so, that it appears to be as still and tranquil as a lake.

The sunset was like fire and ice. The image falls short of just how amazing this actually was.
Surreal lighting at sunset (11:45 PM). Because it is summer here it never gets dark. The sunrise will occur in about 3 or 4 hours time (approximately 3:30 AM).
Nearby formations rising almost vertically from the water.
The pastel colors were amazing.
Crazy spectators taking in the moment. My hippie friend was from Germany. His personality was at least as big as it appears in this image.
Hot tub “selfies.” Why bother with capturing images of the incredible sunset, colors, rock formations, and ice forms when you can take “selfies?”

The following day we are on to the Neumayer Channel. These channels were about a one day sail apart from each other and almost as different as could be. No more clear skies, a lot more wind, as well as an uncountable amount of sailing hazards in the form of rock outcroppings, underwater rock spires, and icebergs. 

Hazards along the way. The Quest’s captain is required to be an “ice-master” before sailing to either the Arctic or the Antarctic. The qualification as an “ice-master” has absolutely nothing to do with the doomed 1913 voyage of the Karluk, which sank in the Arctic Ocean and taking with it more than half its crew.
More treacherous seas and a sizable iceberg looming in the background. That berg is more than enough to severely cripple or sink any ship colliding or grazing it.
Notice the Russian expedition ship in the foreground. Upon closer inspection with my binoculars it confirmed my feeling that this could be a tough way to travel to this part of the world. It’s probably not a stretch to also believe that the captain of the Russian ship is probably somewhat intoxicated for much of the journey.
Almost through the channel at this point. These spires are approximately 300-400 meters (1,000-1,250 feet) rising almost straight up from the water.
This is as far as we were able to go as the ice became too abundant. The Captain smartly decided to rotate our vessel 180 degrees and head back the way we entered the channel.

“Polar Plunge,” somewhere near the Antarctic Circle

Sea days aboard the Seabourn Quest are truly relaxing.  After 15 or so days into this voyage I have grown to relish the days which occur between stops at either ports or landings by zodiac. They are referred to “sea days” because no one leaves the ship.  On these days there is no schedule, and yet a plethora of things exist to do.  A good many memorable experiences happen on sea days.  Some of these activities involve some day drinking (as in alcohol), but none more so than Seabourn’s version of the “polar plunge.”  Also a memorable event.

Let me set the stage for this event which is depicted in the images below.  First, the pool is drained of the normally warm (86 degree F) water.   Second, frigid water is pumped from the sea to fill the pool.  In this case it is Antarctic sea water.  The water temperature of the freshly filled pool is now 35 degrees F, or 2 degrees C.  The skies were cloudy with a light flurry of snow.  The air temperature was 30 degrees F, and the drinks were flowing, especially the vodka shots.  

This is the scene prior to the big event. Note the two jacuzzi tubs on the far corners of the pool. These play a critical part of the polar plunge and after party. I believe that there would be far fewer participants if these were not available upon one’s exit from the frigid water in the pool.
One of the bar set ups on the pool deck. This one featuring many varieties of ice cold vodkas. The bottles are sitting in ice structures specially formed for this purpose. These Seabourn guys sure know how to throw a party.
Like lemmings to the frigid water so are some of my fellow shipmates. Many spectators are viewing and photographing from the Sky Bar on the above deck.
Here I am making my first of three plunges. Jumping into the deep-end and fully submerged I didn’t feel the cold for 3 or 4 seconds. Then it gripped me like a vice with teeth. My main motivation for participating in the plunge was that I always wanted to know what Kate and Leo felt like on that ill-fated night in April 1912.
Shots delivered to the jacuzzi, just in case you weren’t buzzed from the ice cold plunge. I overheard one of the gentlemen proclaim that he thought that due to the frigid water and his resulting shrinkage, that he wouldn’t be able to find his “junk” for an hour or so. Then I looked around for George Constanza.

Shots all around. My British friend apparently wishing cheers to the photographer capturing this image.
It seems the shots are now having an effect. She’s fully in the moment, as was everyone else participating in this crazy activity.

Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

Paradise Bay, also know as Paradise Harbor is a wide embayment behind the Lemaire and Bryde Islands in Antarctica. We were here on a particularly awesome weather day. The skies were almost cloudless, the air temperature a very comfortable 30 degrees F (-1 degree C), and the winds calm. This was just a great day for kayaking, whale watching and a bit of exploring. After taking in some impressive whale watching, we made our way to an island playing host to the chinstrap penguins, as well as elephant seals and other animal life.

Our group photo was taken by my friend Brian Doyle. Truly an amazing summer day Kayaking in the Antarctic peninsula. So much so that I didn’t need to make use of the neoprene hand sleeves on the kayak’s paddle. Because the wind was virtually nonexistent the water was like glass and mirrored almost all the surrounding land and ice forms.
Two hump-back whales are performing a synchronized swimming move just ahead of the kayak. So incredibly graceful are these creatures that the only thing one is able to hear as they pass by is their exhaling, which is quite loud. I am alluding to the whales of course, not the kayakers.
Two of my follow “Yakers” photographing the whales in the background. These animals have powerful sonar. If they get close enough to capsize a kayak, it is because they plan to, thus it’s never an accident. However, they are quite docile unless provoked.

This is a demonstration of how the whales wave “bye-bye.” It is the payoff, as well as a view of how these creatures are tracked and charted. The underside of their tail is analogous to a human fingerprint. These whales travel thousands of miles throughout the oceans and are tracked and recorded in this way.

After about an hour or so kayaking we arrived here. This tiny island plays home to 3,000 breeding pairs of Chinstrap penguins, as well as some elephant seals. The sharp craggy rock cliffs were quite stunning. Note all the chinstraps at the top left of the image.
Why the long face? This chinstrap penguin seems a bit down at the moment I captured the image.
Although I would love to claim this as my own, however my new pal Brian Doyle captured this image. Not sure how loud this was, but based upon my experiences that day I can’t believe he was able to get this close. Their diet consists mostly of fish, squid, small sharks and octopus. They have also been known to enjoy a small penguin or two from time to time.
This elephant seal is dwarfed by the whale rib in the foreground.
Pictured above is another chinstrap penguin. This penguin seamed much happier than his cousin above on the snow. Note the algae on the rocks. In addition to its very important function and role in the eco-system here, it lends a beautiful contrast of color to this image.
This water boat from the whaling days around the turn of the century (1900) is slowly decaying in the summer sun. Because of the severe cold here, the process of decomposition takes a bit longer. Again I am reminded of an industry that nearly made extinct the whale population in this part of the world.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island within Fiordland National Park. It is a World Heritage site. This area receives over 250 inches of rain annually. Waterfalls abound this entire area and there is much wildlife.

View from my vessel.

Waterfalls

Another image of the plunging coastline.

Another waterfall.

Interesting rock formations.

Seals just taking in the sun.

Close up of these seals as photographed from my zodiac.

Rare bird.

Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia

These are three of the four largest cities in Australia, with Sydney at 4.5 million being the largest and Brisbane being the smallest with a population of 2.4 million.  All three are practically litter free and modern.  They are also very walk friendly.

Brisbane cityscape.  Lot’s of cranes all along the skyline above boast a vibrant city below.

Brisbane from the Brisbane River.  This was a good way to take in a lot of the architecture.

Sydney Opera House at night.

Opera House at sunset.  The main part of Sydney Harbour where the Opera House is situated is off limits to commercial shipping.  Consequently, it is completely devoid of container ships and the like.

Just one more image of the Opera House.

Unless you know it’s there it is hard to find Mr. Wong because it is located in an otherwise quiet alleyway with no other commercial businesses.  It’s pretty easy to make a Wong turn and get lost.

Peking Duck is a house favorite and obviously very popular.  An entire area of the kitchen is devoted solely to the duck.  These people do duck right, not Wong.

Mr. Wong cantonese-inspired restaurant lower bar area.  I sat at this bar for lunch and was impressed not only by the cuisine, but the mixology taking place before my eyes.  These bartenders were cranking out some of the most complex and beautiful cocktails that I have ever seen.  Judging from the volume of drinks they were preparing, one might think it was spring break, and not a normal Tuesday afternoon.  You can’t go Wong eating and/or just drinking in this establishment.

Inscrutable dim sum personnel.  I really didn’t like the way she was looking at me.  Did I say something Wong?  Okay, no more Wong jokes except for this.  These two Wongs do make it right.

Art Deco carnival at Luna Park just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Great juxtaposition of buildings, bridges, and everything else.

Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Art Deco carnival on the lower right under the bridge.

Met my new friends on the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.  “Look Ma, no hands.”  This was a great adventure and unless you have a desire to commit suicide, completely safe.  After the climb we all engaged in an awesome evening of debauchery. They were from the “wild-side” of Japan.  Until I met these people, I was clueless as to the “wild-side” of Japan.

Approach to Sydney Harbour.

Melbourne skyline shot from the WW II Memorial.

Headed to New Zealand now.  That will be my last destination on the epic journey.

Moreton Island, Australia

I had to take a day to visit this place because it is rare that swimming in the Australian ocean is not fraught with potential danger or death. I wasn’t disappointed one bit. The island is located off the coast of south-east Queensland and is relatively tiny.  It is only 20 miles long and 5 miles wide.  Nearly all of this island is sand so there are no roads.  Consequently, 4wd is the only way of getting around.   People visit for all of the recreational activities which are available here.

Beach scene is relatively quiet here.

Great water temps too.  The temperature was a comfortable 82 degrees, or 28 celsius.

These sandy cliffs were apparent only because the vegetation had slid into the sea.

Coastline shot taken from the small boat I was able to charter in order to get to the island.

Great sign but I didn’t want to spend the time in order to check out the Smoking Management Plan.  So you’re good to smoke and get loaded here, but please no pistachios or nacho chips.

Next stop for me will be the big cities on the eastern coast of this so far incredible continent.