Godthul & Gold Harbor, 2/6/2018, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Antarctica
Our final day on South Georgia was a perfect close to a marvelous four days in “paradise!” After spending the night in the very protected harbor of Godhul, we went on a hike through the tussock grass to an elevated plateau, while other guests did a Zodiac cruise of the bay. In the afternoon National Geographic Orion repositioned to my favorite place on South Georgia, Gold Harbor, an amazingly beautiful beach filled with all kinds of wildlife, including a large King Penguin colony, with a backdrop of a hanging glacier!
Rich Kirchner has worked as a naturalist in Antarctica, Alaska, the Bering Sea, Baja and the High Arctic, including Svalbard, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic and Iceland, along with other destinations. His 33 years as a professional wildlife photograp...
Sarah was raised on a multi-generational family dairy farm, established circa 1815 in Lucas, Ohio. Consequently, her first paying job was milking cows! Rewarding as it was to get paid for the first time, she found her passion behind the lens of a cam...
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It was a memorable first day in South Georgia. The island emerged from the mist as dawn broke and we sailed into the beautifully sheltered cove of Elsehul. Our Zodiac cruise was an overload for the emotions as we explored the shoreline littered with an abundance of wildlife. Grey-headed and light-mantled albatross flew overhead, and the beaches were alive with the sounds of breeding elephant seals, hauled out fur seals, and nesting penguins. It was a short sail over lunch to our afternoon destination of Salisbury Plain. Home to over 70,000 pairs of king penguins. It is a spectacular sight. The beaches are overloaded with penguins and seals, and it is impossible to know where to look. Despite the howling wind coming off the nearby Grace Glacier, it was an unforgettable experience spending the afternoon amongst the birds and seals of Salisbury. The excitement did not end once the two excursions had finished, we were treated to a special Halloween dinner followed by an amazing performance by the ship’s band, The Shackletunes. Many of us got dressed up for the occasion and there was a competition for the best Halloween display and costume. The crew put on an incredible show, and we danced the night away as we sailed on to our next destination.
Today we continued our journey toward South Georgia. The wind from the last few days finally made its effects known with the sea swell significantly higher than the previous days. Some of the waves were reaching 25-feet, but with a following wind and swell and the stability of National Geographic Endurance , we were able to enjoy the conditions outside very comfortably. We were treated to a number of great presentations from the expedition team throughout the day, including an introduction to South Georgia from Josh and Gerard to begin the morning. Before and after another delicious lunch, Mike and Kelly shared stories about the wildlife of the Southern Ocean, particularly the penguins and the seals. Gerard took to the stage again in the late afternoon to tell the epic story of Shackleton and the Endurance expedition. It was not all lectures and presentations, with many of us enjoying the bird life outside and spending time up on the bridge. There was also the small matter of afternoon tea which, this time around, featured some beautiful ice cream! With a tasty dinner finished, we all headed back to our cabins in excited anticipation for our arrival in South Georgia tomorrow.
Today is our first of two sea days as we journey from the Falklands to South Georgia aboard National Geographic Endurance . Despite forecasts of heavy seas and strong winds, the ship’s ride has been remarkably smooth. This may be due to the vessel's X-BOW technology which minimizes wave impact, creating a stable experience even in rough conditions. Built for challenging waters, National Geographic Endurance showcases innovations for polar travel, allowing us to navigate comfortably through the often-unpredictable Southern Ocean. In addition to views of seabirds soaring around us, today’s activities included presentations by the expedition team and a thorough biosecurity check in preparation for our visit to South Georgia.
