Last day in S. Georgia. We had 2 excursions today. The first was a Zodiac landing at Gold Harbour, so called for its pyrite or “fools gold”. It was snowing and cold and since there was nothing new to be seen here I stayed in bed and watched a movie on my iPad. I just couldn’t face getting togged out in all the gear and tramping around amongst penguins and fur seals. I know this probably sounds ungracious, but penguin poo smells to high heaven and I could see the landing point from the boat. The beach was about 100 meters long so just didn’t seem worth the effort. Margaret on the other hand joined the indomitable kayakers. I don’t know where they get the energy from!

So, I took a couple of photos from the ship, and borrowed some of Margaret’s, to show you Gold Harbour.

Off go the kayakers

Taken from my cosy bunk.

Didn’t fancy scrambling over this lot to get ashore

Elephant Seal – I don’t think he is yawning!

You can’t have too many pictures of penguins. Can you?

On the hop! An Adelie penguin

The aptly named Chinstrap penguin

By the time the afternoon came around I had revived.  The afternoon excursion consisted of a Zodiac trip into Larsen Harbour, part the way up the Drygalski Fjord.  The fjord extends 14k into the island’s interior ending at the Risting Glacier.  Ships, if they can get up there at all, must maneuver a tight turnaround to get back out.  Our captain decided against going all the way up. The weather was closing in and thankfully he seems to be a cautious man. Larsen Harbour is about 4k up through the fjord.  It is like a mini fjord – if there is such a thing. Steep, snow covered sides, lots of bird life and very peaceful. It was a stunning trip.  Well worth getting out of bed for.

Antarctic Shags – a relative of our cormorants

Ice cave, kayakers were able to go in.

I was sad to leave S. Georgia behind.  But strangely enough, looked forward to a 2 day passage and a chance to catch up on some reading and socialising with other passengers.