Today we have our first landings in Antarctica. I’m so excited to to touch land and see our first sightings of penguins and seals!
After breakfast, we have a brief safety and landing info meeting with our guides, Matthew and Beth. They point out what areas we can wander around in and what areas are closed off on a map they sketch on the whiteboard. At these sites, the IAATO and other organizations try their best to limit the ecological impact humans have on the area and to decrease any disturbance to the local wildlife and plant life (ie sparse grass, moss, etc).
Then there’s a flurry of activity as we all get our life vests on, gather our bags to go to shore, and climb into the zodiacs (small boats that take us to shore). As we get closer to shore, the smell of penguin poo is overwhelming. That smell is the most common memory that lingers in a tourist’s mind, long after they go home. 
Finally stepping foot on land — Greenwich Island — Land of the penguins
After putting away my life jacket, I start to explore. The beach is covered in fur seals and penguins! They’re everywhere we look. We have to be careful not to disturb the seals too much, because they will charge at you if you get too close. However, the seals usually will warn you first by becoming very vocal (kind of whimpering type noise) and swaying back and forth. It’s an obvious stress signal and easy to spot. If you’re paying attention to your surroundings (ie don’t stumble too near one while filming a penguin), then you’ll be safe.
In this landing, we were supposed to walk over a ridge area to the beach on the other side, but it’s blocked by four fur seals playing and “fighting”. All of us slowly make our way down the right side of the beach. Then we eventually cross to the other side of the isthmus/peninsula part. We’re allowed free reign to explore (ie don’t have to follow the guides closely). Most of us take our time photographing the penguins, seals, and sea birds around us. It’s fabulous!
I took so many photos/vids here, but these are some of the better shots. 
