an iceberg is beneath us, which is why the water looks like a swimming pool. He stays with us for at least 20 minutes, darting and diving beneath the zodiac from one side to the other.

Sun finally comes out on the Polar Star

This is a close-up of the sailboat we had seen sail by at Pleneau Island. They have reached their destination for the night, the Argentine Islands.

Our first sign of civilization since we left Ushuaia is Vernadsky Research Station on the Argentine Islands.

This was a British research station, Faraday, operated by the British Antarctic Survey from 1954 to 1997, and was sold to Ukraine for 1 British Pound.

The site was responsible for discovering the hole in the Ozone layer with Doppler equipment, and still measures and transmits readings today.

This is Igor, Ukrainian research scientist who will be our tour guide through the very small, very manly center.

Long days are filled with carving penguins and adding limpet shells as hats...

...or mending holey tee shirts with an antique sewing machine.

..or skiing, snowshoeing, or playing football on the frozen pond outside.

...or the favorite activity of all, distilling vodka!!

Shots are available for $3 USD, or.....