Gold HarBour, Cooper bay and NAFG

Up at 5.30am to fog and rain and darkness
Boarded zodiac at 6am to go ashore in Gold Harbour.
The rain was just a slight drizzle for 20 mins as we landed on shore to a welcome party of a heap of stinky male elephant seals.
The beach was full of fur seal pups, a huge king penguin colony and the odd Gentoo penguin waddling around.
The glaciers surrounding the bay cane and went as did the sun and the v low cloud. It definitely got colder as the sun came up.
Back to the boat at 8.30am for breakfast before a 10.15am zodiac cruise back around the jagged shoreline. The sun was now out and the sea was flat calm- it was glorious.
Back on the ship at 11.30am K and I hit the hot tub!! Sitting in the spa surrounded by imposing, hanging glaciers was quite something else.
Soon we were joined by Clare from Alice Springs and started a wave of others coming into the second hot tub including Sue and Glen from San Fran who got in as we got out.... just in time for lunch!!
We had lunch with Diane and John from Melbourne who were v nice.
Soon it was time for our afternoon zodiac cruise now we were anchored in Cooper Bay. Initially the sun was out but suddenly the sea fog came down and that was that.
We cruised around enjoying the little bays filled with fur seals, elephant seals, Macaroni penguins and Chinstraps. We also saw the pin tail ducks and the pippit.
Just before we were due back to the boat the sun came out and highlighted a big and beautiful iceberg. Vladimir our driver broke the rules and took us over for a closer look and some photos which was incredible and s lovely way to finish a lovely day.... or so we thought.
Back on the boat we settled up in the Observation Lounge expecting to head south into the open ocean towards the Antarctic Peninsula. However what we didn’t know was that South Georgia had one last jewel to reveal to us..... Drygalski Fjord.
OMG talk about stunning beauty- glacial blue waters framed the imposing narrow cliffs with their high hanging glaciers and the glacial waterfalls, long, low lying clouds and bright sunny blue skies. Most of the boat ( passengers and staff) were out at the bow of the boat in awe of the surroundings and the extremely unusual weather.
Reaching the end of the fjord the captain turned the boat around and into the icy winds within minutes everyone had disappeared downstairs!
6.45pm saw us in the cabin with the door open as we said goodbye to South Georgia watching the recap and briefing.
7.30pm saw us enjoying dinner again with Diane and John, talking rugby and Rural Australia before heading to bed at 10pm.
The clocks go back an hour tonight and everyone is looking forward to a sleep in during our next 2 days at sea. What was a little disconcerting was returning to our cabin after dinner and finding sick bags had been left on our bedside tables!!!
South Georgia you have exceeded all expectations beyond belief..... goodbye Ernest Shackleton- RIPもっと詳しく