Sunday, 9th January
TW left Grytviken at 4am and anchored in Fortuna Bay from 7am.
WG’s zodiac departure was at 8:10am so off to the beach we went.
What a morning it turned out to be again! Gorgeous weather again!
We saw lots of fur seals and pups close to the beach. This King Penguin colony was about 1,5km inland. We walked amidst very friendly and sociable penguins and chicks, specially the chicks constantly walked right up to us. Quite incredible to be so close to these gorgeous birds. The molting chicks provided a few laughs. It was as if they were trying to tell us ‘I’m beautiful too!!! Or at least I will be very soon!!!’
There was also a herd of reindeer running amongst the penguins.
If I have to pick a favorite landing in South Georgia, this one is it. The first one was special because it was the first one and because of the sunrise, but this one… being able to be so close to these amazing birds… takes the crown.
Around 13:00 Stephen and I joined the hikers for the ‘Shackleton Walk’, the last leg of his heroic journey to save his men, from Fortuna Bay to Stromness. We were dropped ashore and watched TW sail off – to Stromness where she would be waiting for us. I, like many others, left in my rubber boots for the landing and changed into my sorels for the hike. The 6km/4m hike was great: another opportunity to really stretch our legs, the weather wasn’t bad at all (bracing winds and some stingy sleet, but mostly sunny), the scenery was fabulous. Having Jonathan Shackleton with us added some extra meaning. At the view point over Stromness, about 1,5km from the latter, we saw The World sail into view. I am convinced it was ‘on cue’ as I overheard Rob McCallum talking to the Captain on the radio, telling him that we were in position. Very nicely done! And when TW sounded her horn 3x, to mimic the whistle from the whaling station that Shackleton heard, we were all clapping and laughing and waving.
Stephen then joined Alison on a shorter walk and I went back to TW. And when I got to the beach my rubber boots were waiting for me to change into.
Caroline.
Fortuna Bay
Shackleton Walk
