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Day 8 Chronicle: 26 DEC - Fortuna and Grytviken South Georgia.pdf

Day 8 - Fortuna Bay and Grytviken, South Georgia Islands Our position has not changed from last night as we have been anchored in the bay as previously noted. The mist has lifted yielding some glaciers that were previously obscured. I have found reference to the Konig and Fortuna Glaciers. I'm not sure which it is.

Christmas dinner in The Restaurant included a special turkey dish as one of the mains. I was invited to join two other guests to dine with the assistant excursion team leader. Wonderful dinner experience with great conservation.

We just arrived in Fortuna Bay where we will anchor for the night in the shelter of the bay.

Daily briefing for tomorrow. Destination Fortuna Bay. Wet landing ashore! In the afternoon we sail down the coast to Grytviken. This will also be a wet landing but there are areas such as the whalers museum that is closed however the cemetery and some of the museum buildings beyond the whaler's area are open. Biosecurity inspection by the local authorities first.. Red area closed. Blue area open. After that...

This has been our day cruising up the coast of South Georgia Island. Destination unknown. Bertrab Glacier maybe? Some of the more interesting icebergs. Northern part of the Ross Glacier I think. This went zooming past pretty close. Our friend the Albatross bringing us good weather. Antarctic Prion. Weather has variable. It's sunny then it's not. Clear then misty. Where did that Albatross go?

I thought I saw a cruise ship in the distance. Nope. Just another iceberg. They are everywhere. Not going to bother taking pictures.

Some 360° camera photos from Cooper Bay. Cooper Bay 360 Photo #1 Cooper Bay 360 Photo #2

Perhaps the lead of our expedition team is setting the expectation of plan for the worst, hope for the best. I was simply passing along his remarks. Our zodiac driver eluded to a landing tomorrow. I'm sure we are all hoping for the best.

Day 7 Update: Due to the high winds and adverse weather this afternoon's planned visit to Royal Bay has been cancelled. A series of Enrichment Lectures have been scheduled.

Back on board I grabbed the map to show the location of our first stop at South Georgia Island. Looks like the icebergs are ganging up on us forming a blockade. I've heard when in Rome one should do as the Romans. In South Georgia I decided to do like the penguins and eat outside. Lunch at The Grill. As I sat there Bing Crosby came over the speakers singing "White Christmas". Then it started to snow. Well played Bing. Well played. The last of the zodiacs were coming back. Once everyone was back on board and with snow increasing they have announced there will be a change in the afternoon plans. Details coming at 14:00.

The experience lasted nearly 90 minutes. Giant Petrels seemed quite intrigued by us. This one was very curious and came right on over. Final photos. Time to head back to the mothership.

This is the first time kayaking has been a go. A Giant Petrel playing chicken with the kayakers.

We head over to the main beach. Where we find a motherlode of King penguins. ... and some Elephant seals. Some Chinstrap penguins shuffled in.

Of course fur seals and elephant seals abound as well. All of these animals coexist peacefully. More pups! Our zodiac driver tells us they are now much larger since his last visit a few weeks ago. Seal condominium.

A colony of Macaroni penguins. Similar looking to the Rockhopper penguins we saw in the Falklands but different. These little cuties are a big bigger. Penguins like to nest in the hills for safety so there was a penguin highway climbing the hillside. Too many to count.

After a rushed breakfast it was time to zodiac. I was in the second group called today as they mix up the order so the group #1 isn't always first. Ross glacier. Zodiacs always travel in pairs for safety so we had a short wait while the next zodiac was loaded with guests. Heading towards land it didn't take long to see our first greeter. Many young pups were everywhere.

As we got closer to Cooper Bay land was emerging through the mist. All around the ship marine life was seen. From seals, whales and penguins it was quite active. Of course more icebergs. Finally we were close enough that the mist faded and we could see the green land of South Georgia Island.

Day 7 Chronicle: 25 DEC - Cooper Bay and Will Point South Georgia.pdf

Having said that, this one is particularly close and is quite striking when looking out my balcony window. Easily taller than the ship.

At this point there are so many icebergs it's not worth taking any more pictures of them. They are everywhere.

Balcony observations: Most of the ship roll is gone now that we are in the shelter of South Georgia.

Day Seven - Cooper Bay, South Georgia Islands Merry Christmas! Position report: Almost there...

Meanwhile, waiting back in the suite...

I'm not one to take dinner pictures in a nice restaurant because, well, I feel it is a bit tacky. Tonight will be an exception. Hmmm. A song book. A hint of things to come? The recommendations for tonight, but not the full menu. The "Whole-roasted Christmas Goose": It was very good. Actually pretty great. Wait, what is this... Time to open that song book. Actually I knew all the songs already. But wait! Whale spotted to starboard! To the windows!