Live from the Wind(s) of Antarctica. Dec. 19, 2023.

[twangster]

Our zodiac ride from the ship at anchor and the walk to the colony.

 

[silkismom]

I just want to wrap those babies up in a big towel and dry them off.

[highplanesdrifters]

So pleased to see you got some quality time with the Kings.

[Bluefish0]

You were all very fortunate. We got 4 zodiacs + Grytviken on the Cloud. We tried Fortuna this afternoon and they couldn’t make it work, so we’re leaving with 0 real landings which is a tremendous disappointment. 

[twangster]

 

Shackleton's 1916 route across South Georgia.  He too visited Fortuna Bay and Grytviken.

 

 

Folks from Grytviken came onboard upon our arrival and gave a short talk.

 

[twangster]

1 hour ago, Bluefish0 said:

You were all very fortunate. We got 4 zodiacs + Grytviken on the Cloud. We tried Fortuna this afternoon and they couldn’t make it work, so we’re leaving with 0 real landings which is a tremendous disappointment. 

 

Pretty sure I saw you sail past as we remain at anchor at Grytviken.

 

Iceberg, iceberg.  Wait, that's a cruise ship,

[Bluefish0]

Just now, twangster said:

 

Pretty sure I saw you sail past as we remain at anchor at Grytviken.

 

Iceberg, iceberg.  Wait, that's a cruise ship,

That’s probably likely as we just passed on our way to the Antarctic Peninsula!

[twangster]

Leaving Fortuna Bay was also a treat.

 

The scenery looked much better in person, these photos don't do it justice.

 

 

On a beach I spotted a large number of King penguins.

 

 

 

 

All around us seals and penguins were jumping in the water.  Many birds were flying around as well like this Imperial Cormorant.

 

 

 

 

 

Just as I was ready to come in off the balcony a massive tidewater glacier appeared.

 

 

 

 

 

Then in the snow it began to fade.

 

[twangster]

We arrived at Grytviken in a snow storm.

 

 

Soon the first group was called.

 

 

 

I could make out structures in the distance.

 

 

 

 

The Silversea highway of humans visiting Shackleton's grave.

 

 

Then it started to clear a bit more.

 

[drron29]

We were in South Georgia late in the season. By then the male seal pups were trying to assert themselves and they charged at most of us. I was extremely lucky and had a personal guide to shield me from the seals. And here he is-

     

 

I thought he was indicating that I should follow him so I did.He proceeded to move everyone out of the way including humans-

  

 

  

 

So for the next 500 metres he dealt with all the seals.He left when I was insight of the destination and seal free. An absolutely fabulous time.

[twangster]

Soon enough it was my group's time.

 

 

 

The weather was looking much better.

 

 

Wait... a crew member handing out whiskey?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tradition is to share a toast over Shackleton's grave.  Crew members were available to stand in if you were alone.  They enjoyed their job today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Next stop the museum.

 

The old whaling station was very clear now.  Maybe being in the last group was a good thing today.

 

 

 

 

Since the whaling station is closed we had a short zodiac ride over to the museum.  While we waited...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like it's hungry.

 

 

 

Christmas tree or snowman on the bow of the zodiac?

 

[twangster]

 

What a glorious day.  It's amazing how quickly the weather can change.

 

 

We start with a 15 minute guided walk with lots of historical information about the whaling station.

 

 

 

This elephant seal wanted to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

The Whaler's church:

 

 

 

You are allowed to ring the bells.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A restored residence hall for the workers:

 

[twangster]

Gallery:

 

 

 

The museum:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

The post office also has a store where you can buy postcards and mail them.  This was immensely popular and crowded.

 

 

 

 

Time to head back to the ship.

 

 

What a beautiful day!

 

 

 

Looks like we did get some snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a bad view as I sit here working on this post.

 

 

[twangster]

Short briefing just as we got back on the ship.

 

Two stops tomorrow, both zodiac tours only, no landings.

 

St Andrews Bay in the morning.

 

 

Gold Harbor in the afternoon.

 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by twangster

[twangster]

We are spending the night at anchor at Grytviken.  There no sense having the bridge team work all night dodging icebergs at slow speed.

 

Later in the evening I went topside.

 

 

I spotted several icebergs and... a cruise ship.

 

 

Silver Cloud I presume.  Only had my phone with me so no good pics.

 

[twangster]

We had a beautiful clear evening so I popped outside occasionally to capture some photos after sunset.  How often will you get a chance to see Grytviken at night?

 

As much of a sunset as we'll get today:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Day Nine - St Andrews Bay and Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island

 

Position report:

 

 

 

From the bridge cam channel:

 

[twangster]

Day 9 Chronicle:

 

27 DEC - St Andrews and Gold Harbour South Georgia.pdf

[twangster]

Pretty much live as we sail into St Andrews Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

There have been a couple of questions about my camera kit.  

 

We have a few sea days coming up.  I post about it on a sea day.  

 

Right now there are many photos to go through.

[twangster]

Great weather here in St Andrews Bay.

 

From my cabin as I wait for my group to be called.

 

 

You could see massive numbers of King penguins on the beach.

 

 

 

 

Weather improving.  It's turning into a beautiful day.

 

 

[twangster]

My number was up so off I went to the mud room to put on my boots then in line to board a zodiac.

 

 

Another glacier revealed itself from behind the corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then our zodiac driver Andrew spotted something.