Our first morning of the expedition! After breakfast we started the day with the mandatory zodiac safety briefing to ensure all guests are familiar with how the zodiac operations work. This didn’t take long and by 9am the shuttling ashore began with hikers who were planning a longer walk from the far side of the bay to the settlement setting off first. The short and medium walkers were then taken nearer the settlement for their chances to stretch their legs and explore (before reaching the cake and coffee!). Although the day proved to be a little grey and overcast, there was very little wind and the sea was almost flat calm, which made a great start for those unfamiliar with the zodiacs.
We then returned to the ship for a buffet lunch, download photos and clear memory cards and allow the ship to reposition over to West Point Island. West Point Island is an active sheep farm and has remained so since the 1870s. It is also home to almost 15,000 breeding black-browed albatross and several hundred rockhopper penguins – a truly exceptional chance to get up close to some really spectacular wildlife! The afternoon remained overcast but the rain stayed off for the most part and no wind which for the Falklands is a miracle.
Our day ended with the briefing for the days ahead – 2 days at sea, followed by a welcome by Captain Oliver Krüβ along with drinks.
