A bit of wind wasn’t going to stop us from getting off the ship and onto Saunders Island for some exploration, birds, and incredible photography. Landing on a white sandy beach with a welcome party of penguins, we set off along the cliffs for a beautiful walk. The cliff was lined with nesting albatross, and we soon reached our final destination. Golden lichen-covered rocks surrounded a huge nesting colony of rockhopper penguins and imperial cormorants. So cool!
10/31/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Elsehul and Salisbury Plain, South Georgia
It was a memorable first day in South Georgia. The island emerged from the mist as dawn broke and we sailed into the beautifully sheltered cove of Elsehul. Our Zodiac cruise was an overload for the emotions as we explored the shoreline littered with an abundance of wildlife. Grey-headed and light-mantled albatross flew overhead, and the beaches were alive with the sounds of breeding elephant seals, hauled out fur seals, and nesting penguins. It was a short sail over lunch to our afternoon destination of Salisbury Plain. Home to over 70,000 pairs of king penguins. It is a spectacular sight. The beaches are overloaded with penguins and seals, and it is impossible to know where to look. Despite the howling wind coming off the nearby Grace Glacier, it was an unforgettable experience spending the afternoon amongst the birds and seals of Salisbury. The excitement did not end once the two excursions had finished, we were treated to a special Halloween dinner followed by an amazing performance by the ship’s band, The Shackletunes. Many of us got dressed up for the occasion and there was a competition for the best Halloween display and costume. The crew put on an incredible show, and we danced the night away as we sailed on to our next destination.
