At sea, Southern Ocean
Last night we left South Georgia in our wake after four wonderful days. Fortunately the furious fifties are not living up to their epithet and the weather is benign – light winds, calm seas and occasional snow showers. Endeavour has set her course for the south-west and the isolated archipelago of the South Orkney Islands, some 400 miles distant. So, for the band of happy travelers on board, there is a day to recharge, mentally and physically, and reflect on the marvels of South Georgia.
Some attended the regular stretch and tone class in the morning, while others took a more leisurely approach to the day and made a late start. The lounge was full for a recap of our time in South Georgia, followed by a presentation on pinnipeds by Tom Smith.
Outside, a procession of prions and petrels kept the watchers on the bridge busy. A consort of pied pintado petrels endlessly circled the ship and two fin whales gave brief but good views.
In the afternoon, our underwater specialist David Cothran gave us a glimpse of the underwater world of South Georgia and provided the image for this account. This fish is a member of the Bathydraconidae (literally ‘deep water dragon’). This fish is about 45 cm long and is typically a deepwater species, but on this occasion was found in about 23 metres of water in Elsehul. Steve MacLean then entertained us with an account of the life of ‘The Boss,’ Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Drinks and dinner rounded off the day. We retired to our cabins refreshed and, having made good time in calm seas, ready for our encounter with the South Orkney Islands tomorrow.
Last night we left South Georgia in our wake after four wonderful days. Fortunately the furious fifties are not living up to their epithet and the weather is benign – light winds, calm seas and occasional snow showers. Endeavour has set her course for the south-west and the isolated archipelago of the South Orkney Islands, some 400 miles distant. So, for the band of happy travelers on board, there is a day to recharge, mentally and physically, and reflect on the marvels of South Georgia.
Some attended the regular stretch and tone class in the morning, while others took a more leisurely approach to the day and made a late start. The lounge was full for a recap of our time in South Georgia, followed by a presentation on pinnipeds by Tom Smith.
Outside, a procession of prions and petrels kept the watchers on the bridge busy. A consort of pied pintado petrels endlessly circled the ship and two fin whales gave brief but good views.
In the afternoon, our underwater specialist David Cothran gave us a glimpse of the underwater world of South Georgia and provided the image for this account. This fish is a member of the Bathydraconidae (literally ‘deep water dragon’). This fish is about 45 cm long and is typically a deepwater species, but on this occasion was found in about 23 metres of water in Elsehul. Steve MacLean then entertained us with an account of the life of ‘The Boss,’ Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Drinks and dinner rounded off the day. We retired to our cabins refreshed and, having made good time in calm seas, ready for our encounter with the South Orkney Islands tomorrow.
