South Georgia – Godthul

The temperature is 5 degrees, wind 10 knots and it is sunny. 10 knot winds was a bit of a furphy as we found out on our cruise.

It was one exciting zodiac ride. Gusts of wind of 45 knots even sent willy willies across the water. When they came our way they really hit hard but then passed by. Very typical of South Georgia we are told. I am so glad I have the waterproof camera with me as with the amount of water that sprays into the zodiacs all the usual cameras have to be secured in the dry bags but I am able to take some whilst we are moving.

The smells and the noises are something we can’t capture well, though I have taken a video clip. Note the white pup in there too.

Also saw a lovely white male. So despite the colour disadvantage some do make it through.

We sat next to a rocky outcrop watching pups for a while.

Lots happening under the water too.

Saw a few Gentoo penguins but the seals, (and the wind gusts) were certainly the main events here.

We did see one sad sight and I thought about whether I even included here but it is the reality of the world we are choosing to live in. This poor boy is wrapped in fishing net. You can see the damage he is doing trying to remove it. It was reported and hopefully the South Georgia rescue team found him and were able to help. Plastic and rubbish even affecting Antarctica. Aarrgghh!

Loving the landscape here and the seals make use of every bit of it as you’ll see from the second photo.

A couple of shots of the spray we were covered in on the way back to the ship, then it’s onwards to St Andrew’s Bay – wind allowing this afternoon. Day three South Georgia off to a good start.