Today we awoke to the familiar "Good Morning" from our expedition leader, Matt Drennan. He informed us that we were now approaching Cuverville Island. As people slowly emerged from their cabins, the Caledonian Star made its way around the larger icebergs that stood like soldiers guarding the bay. Those at breakfast had a spectacular view, as the icebergs passed at eye level, seeming so close you could reach out and touch them.

Suddenly the waiting was over, and it was time to disembark for the morning's activities. Some of the guests on board lent Ron Naveen of Oceanites a hand in counting the nesting Gentoos on the island. Some guests took a walk along the shoreline, stopping to snap a few pictures of the now teenage penguin chicks, or to sit and watch the comical routines of our penguin friends. Today also marked the first kayaking trip of the expedition. Many guests donned their waterproof clothing, and paddled their way along the picturesque shoreline.

Cuverville Island is particularly special for one of our naturalists, Bernard Stonehouse. For three seasons, parties of students under his direction stayed on the island doing research. The purpose of the project was to study the impact of tourists on the wildlife of the island, especially the Gentoo penguins and Skuas. In their study, the researchers tried to determine how different cruise ships handled their guests ashore, and if the guidelines set up by IAATO were valid and useful.

Guests on board the Caledonian Star have a unique opportunity. Not only do they see a virtually untouched part of the world, and absorb all of its superb scenery and wildlife, but they also have access to the vast knowledge and experience of the naturalist staff to enhance the expedition from an intellectual standpoint as well.