On a fantastic sunny day we set off up the Neumayer Channel, heading for Paradise Harbour on the mainland coast. We passed through this channel on the way south on a grey, misty day and now we had the chance to appreciate its true grandeur - soaring mountains, enormous glaciers and spectacular views up and down its length. Emerging at the north end we found there was about 15 knots of NE blowing and we were able to sail for a couple of hours, conserving a few more litres of valuable diesel. By the time we entered Paradise Harbour there was not a breath of wind and with the sun behind us we were treated to awe inspriring scenery, reflected mirror perfect in a motionless sea. We were motoring slowly, absorbing the sheer beauty and wildness, when an Antarctic Minke Whale surfaced just ahead of us and we throttled back in the hopes that we might get a better view. Although we have seen many Minkes in the last few weeks, the usual sighting is a brief glimpse of the dorsal fin as it slices the surface, then the whale is gone. So we were astounded when this whale approached the boat and played with us for over an hour. It was the most incredible and special encounter, an almost spiritual experience that seems impossible to describe. The whale was swimming so close to the boat at times that it appeared to be rubbing against the hull. Rolling onto its side as it passed alongside it stared up at us with an all-knowing eye and we stared back in wonder, lying on the deck just feet away. We felt an intimate rapport with this magnificent, gentle creature and it genuinely seemed to be interacting with us. On many occasions it spyhopped right beside us (see photo) thrusting its pointed head high up towards the rail, so close we could have reached out and touched it. We even had a close up view of coarse, short whiskers on the tip of its upper jaw. Every time it blew we were showered with spray and when it slid beneath the boat we got a great impression of its sleek and streamlined shape. The Antarctic Minke feeds mainly on krill, lunging into concentrations of prey and gulping great mouthfuls. It is thought that a single calf is born every one to two years. It is beyond belief that anyone could bear to harm such a wonderful creature but sadly Japan continues to hunt Antarctic Minkes, killing several hundred each year.