An audience of 200,000

Antarctica November 28, 2009

Woke up in Gold Harbor on South Georgia Island. The crew has been excited from the start to be here because of its mild weather and it’s abundance of land and sea creatures. We are talking LOADED with King penguins and their young, giant Elephant seals, Fur seals, birds of all kinds and beautiful landscape and even a waterfall.

This afternoon we are headed for St. Andrew’s Bay where I will get my opportunity to play the flugelhorn for the penguins AND have a well dressed audience to boot. Will report later in this note. My song selection is “Georgia on my Mind”

Also got an invitation to the private dinning room by noted National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin and friends. (google him) will report later…

JUST returned from St. Andrews where I play for 200,000 King penguins from a hilltop. No one new what the reaction might be. Just like the clubs I play, they kept on talking. It was extraordinary to look over the bell of my horn and see thousands of these beautiful creatures. The on looking guests shot & taped away as the National Geographic videographer and photographer documented the concert. The crowd asked for another tune so I played “Alone Together” which I thought was an appropriate title.

Off to the recap of the day and dinner.

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A face that a mother could only love

Antarctica November 27, 2009

King Haakon Bay… South Georgia

We have gone northeast from mainland Antarctica to now visit the Islands of this region. Following now in the footsteps of Shackleton, Worsley and other notable explorers. The ship pulled over to see the landing site of Ernest Shackleton called Cape Rosa. This was a moment of great courage for this team of wearied men. When you’re looking off the edge of your luxury cabin, its unimaginable.

Played a mini concert before dinner last evening and it was well attended and well received. Now I’m the man to be seated at your dinner table:) The guests had kind words and curious questions about the flugelhorn, including the art of jazz improvisation.

We are off to the Zodiacs in 10 min.

Just returned from shore… Loaded with Elephant and Fur seals, all kinds of birds and King penguins. Lively and a bit risky. The seals can turn on you in a dime. I’m told if it is mating season, look out.

Just had dinner and I might be getting tired of 3 meals a day with people. The conversations are getting a bit tired for me. Back in Santa Fe, I often eat with my two doggies and the TV. I’m tired and off to bed. There is a wake up call for 4:30 am to photograph the sunrise.

A whale of a time

Antarctica November 25, 2009

Last evening we set sail for Elephant Island, made famous by Sir Ernest Shackleton the great British explorer. You may have seen several films of his trials and tribulations exploring this new territory of the world and about his infamous ship, the Endurance. There are photographs in the Bistro area of this ship stuck and sinking in the Artic ice. What they endured is beyond my comprehension. We hope to touch land on Point Wild, the north coast of Elephant Island in about and hour. The ship is charging through ice and is rocking back and fort. They have ropes up for the passengers to travel throughout the interior.

Last night I did a sound check to prepare to play for the guests in the lounge where the main events are held. Keep you posted… After that I walked down one fight and jammed with Victor. We had a full crowd with included Neil Armstrong and his wife Carol. He used to play the baritone horn, the brass one that is seen in marching bands… a three-value instrument that looks like a trumpet but with a BIG bell. He spoke to me of playing classical, wind ensemble, and marching band music in his early days. It was a nice exchange.

Tonight we will have another presentation on “ To be a Penguin” followed by a premier of a new National Geographic film called “Counting Penguins”.

Just returned from the bridge, an area when the captain and his crew navigate the ship. The guests are allowed in this area. We saw two humpback whales feeding in krill rising above the sea line to view them in all their splenor while the various petrels fed on the aftermath.

We will not be going the Elephant Island because of the weather. headed for Georgia Island…

More whales… now Fin whales are at the bow of the boat. These babies are one of the largest species of its kind. Very impressive in an unending sea environment.

Had a conversation with a gentleman named David who used to work for GE. He was in sales with a number of people working for him. He was so successful that he retired at 53. He wants me to coach is daughter who is in a ruff patch.

Don't slip

Antarctica November 24, 2009

We are in the Weddell Sea.

After literally forging through the thick ice, we came to grand halt at dinner. This was our destination into a shelf of ice that connected a few local Islands. The good news is this morning we all were hiking on the sea ice look at Crab seals. One came about 4 feet away from me, curious what and who I was. They are sweet creatures but don’t be their dinner… it is ferocious. Also we saw our one and only Emperor penguin last evening.

Added to today’s events was an Arctic plunge. I thought only a few brave soles would jump in but and many as 25 folks took a leap into 26 degree water. It was cold watching. I do have this on video.

As mentioned, we have ecological experts, biologists, naturalists, underwater sea specialists and others giving lectures a couple of times a day to inform us on where we are and how this place works… fascinating.

The afternoon is free. I may place with Victor tonight.

Like walking on the moon

Antarctica November 23, 2009

“Swans of weird shape pecked at out planks, a gondola steered by a giraffe ran foul of us, which much amused a duck sitting on a crocodile’s head… All the strange fantastic shapes rose and fell in stately cadence with a rustling, whispering sound hollow echoes to the thudding seas”

Frank Worsley, captain of Endurance, describing icebergs

We are now in the Weddell Sea and moving north… dodging massive icebergs.  The shapes do lend itself to the imagination like looking up into the clouds.

Last evening I played in the Bistro Lounge with Victor Grines on piano. As mentioned, he is from Russia but we found a common language, music. We discovered a few tunes we both new so we let it rip. He is a dramatic player with much bravado. It was entertaining for the guests.

Now on to a talk on the penguins and their importance to the environment.

Just returned from my first steps on to mainland Antarctica!!!!!!!!!!

Spent the late afternoon walking uphill to a vista to view the vastness of this wilderness… WOW. There was a playful time with the guests including the making of a little snowman. The temperature was 40 degrees and very sunny… sunscreen big time.

Back in my cabin to rest and go to dinner.

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On the sunny side of the street

Antarctica November 22, 2009

“We gazed with feelings of indescribable delight upon a scene of grandeur and magnificence far beyond anything we had before seen or could have conceived”         captain James Clark Ross

Had a gentle wake up call this morning with our expedition leader Lisa Trotter whispering good morning, good morning… and the plan of the day. This is not a ship of tourists but a group of inquisitive adventurers who continue to seek knowledge and growth.

After again embarking to another Island, we all found ourselves not snapping photos but finding our own nests, taking in the immense beauty and grandeur of our surroundings. All of my senses were activated and I was lifted to a higher ground.

Back in the Zodiacs, we toured the many forms of ice in the frigid waters. I never knew how many kinds of ice existed. How small we all are on this vast planet. It was the coldest moment of the trip so far.

Lunch has been served and we are off to Port Lockroy. It was used as a whaling site back in 1944 and then an established Base. It is now a museum.

I’m planning on playing for the guests in the lounge where all the lectures are done. I’ll hook up my computer and play a few tunes. Should go pretty well although my lips are very dryL

I am slowly recovering from some trauma because I’m focusing on the present… (will explain) at another time. It does slip back on occasions like observing the loving couples of the penguins.