At sea to South Georgia
One major feature of this voyage is the days at sea. With long distances between the remote island groups we will be visiting, and more than 80° of latitude to cover, days at sea will outnumber days with landings. One question frequently asked by those thinking about joining this voyage is, "How do you fill so many days at sea?"
At the end of today there is no question that a day at sea can provide just as much interest as days with landings. Once more the weather was kind to us, moderate winds and a following sea would have been pleasant enough. Add to this blue skies and sunshine and the climate felt distinctly non-Antarctic as we headed towards the Antarctic Convergence. A series of presentations started the day, preparing us for our imminent arrival in South Georgia.
By early afternoon a series of distant whale sightings, a multitude of seabirds and the fine weather had enticed most people out onto the foredeck. Five species of albatrosses were seen among the diverse range of petrels on display. Macaroni and king penguins in the water gave us a taste of what awaits us in South Georgia. As we came into the shallower waters around the remote rock stacks known as Shag Rocks, we found whales. A large group of killer whales gave amazing views as they surrounded the vessel and even came in to bow ride like the oversize dolphins that they are. Not to be outdone, the baleen whales put on quite a show with blows in all directions, mostly from fin whales with a few humpback whales also seen.
The show staged today by the wildlife of the Southern Ocean set a very high standard and it will be a hard act to follow. Not all days at sea will be like this, but they might be, and we will keep searching with optimism.
One major feature of this voyage is the days at sea. With long distances between the remote island groups we will be visiting, and more than 80° of latitude to cover, days at sea will outnumber days with landings. One question frequently asked by those thinking about joining this voyage is, "How do you fill so many days at sea?"
At the end of today there is no question that a day at sea can provide just as much interest as days with landings. Once more the weather was kind to us, moderate winds and a following sea would have been pleasant enough. Add to this blue skies and sunshine and the climate felt distinctly non-Antarctic as we headed towards the Antarctic Convergence. A series of presentations started the day, preparing us for our imminent arrival in South Georgia.
By early afternoon a series of distant whale sightings, a multitude of seabirds and the fine weather had enticed most people out onto the foredeck. Five species of albatrosses were seen among the diverse range of petrels on display. Macaroni and king penguins in the water gave us a taste of what awaits us in South Georgia. As we came into the shallower waters around the remote rock stacks known as Shag Rocks, we found whales. A large group of killer whales gave amazing views as they surrounded the vessel and even came in to bow ride like the oversize dolphins that they are. Not to be outdone, the baleen whales put on quite a show with blows in all directions, mostly from fin whales with a few humpback whales also seen.
The show staged today by the wildlife of the Southern Ocean set a very high standard and it will be a hard act to follow. Not all days at sea will be like this, but they might be, and we will keep searching with optimism.
