January 10. We were anchored in sheltered Leith Harbor in Stromness Bay overnight. This morning we moved to anchor alongside Stromness Whaling Station at 6:30 am, which is when the expedition announcements began. This whaling station is the third one we have seen, which demonstrates the importance of the whaling industry on South Georgia Island in the first half of the 20th century. Despite a light rain, passengers set out to the seal filled beach where David and others headed out on the 2 km. hike to the waterfall made famous by Shackleton in 1916. Gentoo penguins were spotted nesting on a mountainside, unlike King penguins who incubate their egg on their feet. On the return, you were able to imagine what Shackleton may have felt after coming down the waterfall and seeing the whaling station (May 1916), hoping he could get help for his stranded crew.
During lunch the ship left Stromness Bay to return to Fortuna Bay, where we could not make a landing 2 days ago. Conditions were better today for a wet landing. Passengers were dispatched on the zodiacs in 3 groups from 3 pm to 6 pm for another intimate encounter with the wildlife.
For the next 2 days we will be in the Drake Passage on our way to Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Will we experience the Drake lake or the Drake washing machine? We’ll let you know. 🐧
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