On Friday, November 13, I woke up at 4:30 am for the arrival at Île de la Possession, the Crozet archipelago island where the scientific base is located.
I opend the door to go outside onto the deck and felt the wind on my face and the cold that was like a slap! An Albatross suddenly appeared right in front of me. It was very close! I took a few steps towards the edge of the deck, and I saw Possession island for the first time.
We are at Pointe Basse, in the north of the island, not at the Alfred Faure base, but at the level of one of the cabins used for scientific research, particularly for studying Albatross nests. This is about a 6-7 hour walk from the Alfred Faure base.
The helicopter dropped off some members of IPEV (Polar Institute) and enough supplies for the next 12 months.
Dawn slowly breaks, highlighting the pinkish colors of the clouds, the greenery of the island, the rocks of the cliffs and the snow in the heights.
We were greeted by about fifty King penguins, who came swimming around the boat and tapping the hull. I was thrilled to see all these penguins !! It was one of my life goals, and there they were, skipping and swirling in the water, looking at us curiously. We could see the bubbles of air they leave behind when they dive. It is the air trapped in their plumage, which insulates them from the cold and facilitates their movement in water. They have a cute little cry, which we soon began to imitate in an attempt to communicate with them. It was a failure. But to our great delight, they hopped around the Marion all morning.
Around 7:30 am, we left the site and headed east, in the direction of base Alfred Faure . The conditions are very good. There has been very little wind, which is amazing. Usually, navigation conditions are difficult here. In addition, a rainbow showed us the way.
Is that not magic?!!
After an hour, we saw the base! It is perched on the cliff, illuminated by the rainbow that followed us.
The Marion Dufresne advanced towards the base, and stopped at the entrance of Sailor's Bay where there was a larger colony of King penguins. Through the binoculars, I could see the thousands of penguins and chicks (so cute in their downy brown plumage) as well as large elephant seals (they looked like giant furry slugs).
The sky is always filled with different species of Albatrosses, Giant Petrels, Cape Petrels and other magnificent birds.
This species is a black-browed Albatross.
An Albatross Fuligineux
Subantarctique Giant Petrel
From 8:30 am, the Crozet winterers and summer workers were called to prepare for departure. There were 17 people who left the boat . It's strange to say goodbye to the VSCs with whom we spent all this time since leaving a month ago ..! The helicopter disembarked the passengers little by little. It's impressive to watch the back and forth of the helicopter, whether it be for people or the freight. A lot of logistics!
Albatrosses flying over the Alfred Faure base.
Albatross Fuligineux vs. helicopter...
We saw Killer whales in Marin's Bay, and by the cliffs ! They come to hunt penguins in the bay ...
Fortunately, I didn't witness a penguin slaughter, it seems these orcas had given up their hunt, or everything happened underwater and I didn't see anything ...
Whatever happens, I continue to observe the beautiful landscapes and the little penguins swimming around the boat. I have stars in my eyes!
A big day for the helicopter, which didn't stop making round trips.
In front of Possession island (where the Alfred Faure base is located) is Eastern island, which is inaccessible. We looked at it in the distance, observing its great cliffs.
We watched the sun set behind Possession island, and the clouds that followed the shape of the peaks.
What a day!!
We ended this beautiful day in Crozet with, on the dinner menu, a croziflette !
They certainly have a good sense of humour ... :)
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