Towards the Antarctic Peninsular
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The weather deteriorated so the restaurant and lounge were once more
somewhat empty. With stabilisers and heating we were more than
comfortable. The waves pounding sent spray which froze on the
windows and deck creating a magical picture of clumps and sheets of
frozen rime. After about 30 hours everything calmed down and we
sailed onwards through fantastic icebergs and sea ice.
Our next stop was Elephant Island where 23 of Shackleton's men were stranded for 4½ months in the most appalling conditions. 5 books were shared between them, but 2 were cook books, for personal hygiene each man had a poo sock. Everyone knew which was theirs and they were washed after each use. Their only shelter was upturned wooden rowing boats. The chef, Charles Green, had a speciality prawn cocktail: krill squeezed out of the stomach of dead seal served on a bed of seaweed. In 1916 they renamed Point Wild, Point Bloody Wild. We had arrived at a bleak forlorn spot and were just able to land on Elephant Island, making us members of a select group. Elephant Island has a bust of Captain Pardo, the ultimate rescuer of Shackleton's men. We are here in late spring, so these are really good conditions. The pictures say everything about the bleak landscape.
Point Wild and Icebergs
Elephant Island area 
The little black dots show how high these chinstrap penguins climb.
Elephant Island landing
Capitan Pardo
chinstrap penguin
chinstraps Yet another walk in the footsteps of the Endurance crew. |
