South Georgia & Environs

South Georgia looks like someone took the European Alps and plopped the in the Southern Ocean and then added all the wildlife of the Galapagos. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

It took us about two days to get to South Georgia from the Falklands/Malvinas. Again, we were blessed by sunny skies and calm seas.

Along the route, we were lucky to witness a couple of Orcas feeding. We were also lucky we didn’t have to see whatever the meal was.

Arriving in South Georgia is unforgetable. Mountains and sea with vistas unlike anywhere else on earth.

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Grytviken is the largest populated place (not really a town) in South Georgia. It used to be a whaling station in the 19th and early 20th centruries. Today is functions as a research station. There are about 12 people there year round and another 12 or so live there in the summer.

Grytviken is also the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackelton, famed explorer and saviour of his men. We visited the grave and gave a toast to “the boss”, as he is known. If you don’t know the story, google it. There’s also a pretty good movie about him.

Around the islands are different mamals and yes, MORE PENGUINS!

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One of the birds I just loved was the Tern. They were all over South Georgia and always made me smile.

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South Georgia is also the home of the worlds largest King Penguin colony. 500K Penguins all in one place! The pictures can neither show the vastness of the colony nor can they share the smell.

In addition to the majestic King Penguins, South Georgia also has a number of the super cute Macaroni Penguins. If you think they look like Rockhoppers, you are right, but there are differences (or at least I was told there were).

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And, it was in South Georgia that we were able to see the Chinstrap Penguin. It’s easy to see how he got his name.

After four days in South Georgia, we sailed onward to the Antarctic Continent. Stay tuned!