Off South Georgia
South Georgia has many sides, the wildlife is maybe the first striking adventure you encounter but after a few days the weather also becomes fascinating. To have all four seasons in an hour is something which stands out here at this isolated island located below the Antarctic Convergence and in the Southern Ocean. As you sail the Southern Ocean you cross through the roaring 40s, the howling 50s and the screaming 60s – winds are an important feature for the area and always creating adventures and challenges for anyone to travel here.
Over the night the captain and our Expedition Leader decided to keep the ship anchored at Jason Harbour to have shelter from some strong winds. In the early morning we sailed along the coastline towards Bay of Isles but now the anemometer showed 90 knots wind, hurricane wind force!
Not really any conditions for a Zodiac operation anywhere and not even on the more protected coastline on the eastern side of South Georgia. Luckily for us we were in shelter from the swell coming from the west and it was pleasant to come up to the bridge and watch the wind cut the tops of the waves. Spray flying in the air, and we were asked not to be out on deck. A “perfect storm” has now a meaning for anyone onboard but for sure it was pleasant to be able to have all meals and presentations onboard a very stable ship kept in shelter from the high seas!
Later on in late afternoon the wind started to drop and the captain and Expedition Leader decided to take the ship into Elsehul Bay, the most western point at South Georgia. This is a wildlife paradise and the core area for breeding fur seals and also large colonies with breeding macaroni penguins, and four species of albatross. From the bridge or decks we got close encounter of all theses creatures and it was time for us to say “Goodbye” to South Georgia. It is always hard to depart from here and we guess most of us promised this place we have to come back and explore more.
Right before dinner our Expedition Leader Tom Ritchie announced it was time for the great photo opportunity for the voyage. Hard to believe after all we have seen and encountered the last two weeks, since we have now spent time first at Antarctic Peninsula and later explored South Georgia. But he was correct! The captain took the ship close a huge iceberg grounded on the shallow shelf edge to South Georgia. The sun was about to set, huge breaking swell hammered the base of the iceberg, and the light was spectacular. Few icebergs have been better documented, and giant petrels and albatrosses flying in front helped us to get the size of the ice sculpture.
The low pressure we had been “fighting” for the last two days was now way east of us, and blue sky followed by a green flash ended this, our last day at South Georgia.
South Georgia has many sides, the wildlife is maybe the first striking adventure you encounter but after a few days the weather also becomes fascinating. To have all four seasons in an hour is something which stands out here at this isolated island located below the Antarctic Convergence and in the Southern Ocean. As you sail the Southern Ocean you cross through the roaring 40s, the howling 50s and the screaming 60s – winds are an important feature for the area and always creating adventures and challenges for anyone to travel here.
Over the night the captain and our Expedition Leader decided to keep the ship anchored at Jason Harbour to have shelter from some strong winds. In the early morning we sailed along the coastline towards Bay of Isles but now the anemometer showed 90 knots wind, hurricane wind force!
Not really any conditions for a Zodiac operation anywhere and not even on the more protected coastline on the eastern side of South Georgia. Luckily for us we were in shelter from the swell coming from the west and it was pleasant to come up to the bridge and watch the wind cut the tops of the waves. Spray flying in the air, and we were asked not to be out on deck. A “perfect storm” has now a meaning for anyone onboard but for sure it was pleasant to be able to have all meals and presentations onboard a very stable ship kept in shelter from the high seas!
Later on in late afternoon the wind started to drop and the captain and Expedition Leader decided to take the ship into Elsehul Bay, the most western point at South Georgia. This is a wildlife paradise and the core area for breeding fur seals and also large colonies with breeding macaroni penguins, and four species of albatross. From the bridge or decks we got close encounter of all theses creatures and it was time for us to say “Goodbye” to South Georgia. It is always hard to depart from here and we guess most of us promised this place we have to come back and explore more.
Right before dinner our Expedition Leader Tom Ritchie announced it was time for the great photo opportunity for the voyage. Hard to believe after all we have seen and encountered the last two weeks, since we have now spent time first at Antarctic Peninsula and later explored South Georgia. But he was correct! The captain took the ship close a huge iceberg grounded on the shallow shelf edge to South Georgia. The sun was about to set, huge breaking swell hammered the base of the iceberg, and the light was spectacular. Few icebergs have been better documented, and giant petrels and albatrosses flying in front helped us to get the size of the ice sculpture.
The low pressure we had been “fighting” for the last two days was now way east of us, and blue sky followed by a green flash ended this, our last day at South Georgia.
