Here are a few of my favorite photos from our days in Paradise Bay, Elephant Island and sailing around.
The Bikini Ladies
Emma and I decided to take a photo in Antarctica with the glaciers in the background in our bikinis, because why not?
When we reached Paradise Bay it was around 10am and Emma, Roeland and I had been watching us sail through the glaciers for a few hours, this also meant we were now very aware of just HOW COLD it was, we were in around 7 layovers of clothing our jackets sweatshirts and then very large blankets tied around us. But we were going to do this bikinis pic. Roeland at first seemed to think we were just crazy and decided to stay inside at a window with a view of the ice while Emma and I went off to change and get pictures. We put our bikinis on and bathrobes and ran through the boat to get to the top deck, that way nothing would be in the background other then ice. When we got up there in flip flops and bathrobes everyone started staring, when we took the robes off and stripped down to our bikinis everyone started pointing and calling out to us that we are "brave" "crazy". We ran to the edge to get photos, Emma with the go pro and I handed my phone to someone to take photos. Next thing we knew we turned around and there was maybe 20-30 people creating a semi circle around us, taking photos of us! Then different members of the crew came up to us asking if they could get a photo with us and following their lead other passengers asked for photos as well. After 20 maybe 30 minutes of this we were way to cold and convinced everyone to let us go inside, we very quickly found hundreds of layers and blankets and tea. Roeland then saw the pictures and of course now wanted one with us. As we had turned in the bay the front was facing totally different glaciers so we quickly changed back into our suits to grab photos with him, seeing lots more people along the way people began to call us the "bikini girls/ladies". However after taking photos for the second time it felt a lot colder, not only was there less adrenaline but the wind chill seemed to have increased. Once we knew we had at least one good photo of the three of us, Roeland, Emma and I ran into the indoor pool, appreciating the steam and warmth and then to the sauna, which has a huge port hole and view of the glaciers. Emma and I hung out in the sauna for a while enjoying being able to feel our toes and fingers and our private glacier show. After wards we dressed in more layers, more blankets to the point where we couldn't actually move our arms. Still everyone recognized us as being the bikini ladies, yelling at us for having clothes on now. Apparently the dancers on board saw us and decided to do the same and all put their swimsuits on to get a photo.
As just a few days before Roeland and I had participated in the marriage game show we became good friends with Rachel and Alejandro the cruise directors. Seeing them on deck we showed them the photos, Alejandro was insulted we hadn't waited to get a photo with him in our bikinis, but we told him no way we're we dong that again, maybe tomorrow. They told us that because it was snowing the "Antarctica dance class" might be cancelled because the decks were to slippery. Emma and I promised that if it wasn't canceled we would be there dancing. When the time for the dance class came about we saw Alejandro and Rachel literally on the ground with towers drying the decks and tons of people had showed up at least 50. Emma and I with our blankets tied tight and zero arm movement took a spot in the back, watching everyone on board attempt to dance to these Latino songs is almost as entertaining as the dance class itself. Roeland decided to sit and watch with Gilad. Just before Alejandro began we hear him stop the music, "how many of you guys on board today saw the bikini ladies?" Lots of cheers from the audience and Emma and I share an embarrassed side glance at each other. Then Alejandro continues "don't you think they should put their bikinis back on and come dance up here?" Which is met with responding cheers. "Now?" Emma and I ask in unison as the entire boat seems to be staring at us. They have no idea how long it took us to get warm before. But before we can think of a way out of this "Bikinis! Bikinis! Bikinis Ladies! Bikini Ladies" is being chanted from the upper decks and the main pool deck. With no other option Emma and I run off and change into our now cold and wet bikinis, we also put socks and tennis shoes on because our feet would never have recovered from that barefoot. Making our way back to the pool the class is in full swing and we strip out of our leggings and sweatshirts and Rachel pulls us on stage.... There we were on stage teaching the Latino dance class in Antarctica in our Bikinis, without knowing any of the dances. And in my case with absolutely no rhythm or dancing abilities, and Roeland stood smugly and warmly up on the top deck watching us embarrass our selfs for now the infinite time on this cruise. Luckily when dancing we were moving so much that we didn't have to worry to much about getting cold the only thing that was too cold was our hands. The class lasted a while, and at the end of it, Emma and I got a standing ovation from the boat, we also were roped into taking pictures with Alejandro, which turned into us taking pictures with 2000 of our best friends as every person on board started grabbing on to us and point at cameras for us to smile at. I never thought we would get away. If anyone reading this was on that boat and had photos of the Bikini Ladies feel free to send them to me!
That night was silent disco again, and of course the bikini ladies made one last appearance. However this was not the last time we were called the bikini ladies, that didn't end until even off the boat while I was in the Buenos Aires airport two days later someone in security recognized me as bikini lady. Three days later at lunch Emma and I sat at a large 8 person table and two of the couples both thought we were part of the cruise performers not guests and that our bikini dance class was our job, if any of you have seen the video of me dancing you should know that there is no way we were paid for that.
Not only was Antarctica the most beautiful and pristine place I have ever been but it was probably the most memorable and infamous experience of my trips so far.
