Xplore in So Georgia Island: 21 Nov. 2008

The weather gods have been kind. The lack of daily reports is totally due to the fact that everyone onboard has been awe-inspired by South Georgia: there is not another place like it in the world. And with the weather gods smiling kindly at us during these last four days, there hasn't been a moment to lose as each day we have been packing in shore walks, zodiac cruising, and wildlife experiences that just leave you speechless. The team ventured off for the last traverse of the famous Shackleton [Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton ] walk, which arrives into Stromness Bay where the disused whaling station lies. Shackleton's arrival there and first meeting with the whaling station manager was one of total disbelief as Shackleton and his men were unrecognisable due to the seal and penguin meat they were eating and the black grease that came from the cooking: looking more like the Yeti than human, they were slowly recognised. Other key highlights so far have been the massive King penguin colony at Salisbury Plains, the Macaroni penguin colony - with hundreds of thousands at the Welcome Islands - and the zodiac cruising around the bays of the disused stations of Prince Olav, including the last station to close, in 1967, at Leith Harbour. When it's calm and still you can close your eyes and imagine the turmoil and terror of those huge machines: tearing and destroying thousands and thousands of whales. Now situated at Gritviken station and the bay of King Edward point - which is the main British Antarctic Research station of the island - we all (including the crew) have had a day of R&R. Tonight the Curator and staff of the museum will join us onboard for some festive mingling (and a few drinks of course). More news coming as the adventure continues to unfold as we cruise on down to the SE corner of SG: I am sure no-one will be disappointed with Cape Disappointment ... Stephen