2nd Jan 2012. Passed through the Antarctic convergence about 6am this morning. Water temp dropped quickly to 3 degs, air temp 6C. Some fog which is common at the convergence they tell us.
Morning talk a compulsory talk on the regulations for entry onto South Georgia. We have to vacuum clean all that we will wear or take on to the island. We need to treat our boots, walking sticks, camera tripods, vaccum our packs,, the velcro on the wet weather gear and all pockets. We then need to sign declaration that we have done so and this will be provided to the officals at Gryviken, the only place where there are few people during the summer. The officals will carry out spot checks on us to ensure we are clean. Luckily we don't have many Poms on board. This talk also covered the various but possible landings that will depend as always on the conditions. Weather is fine with little wind with some sunshine and you can walk on deck today in shirt sleeves. If all goes well we will all be up at 4.45am for a 5.15 departure on Zodiacs and then back for breakfast then on to two more spots for the day. Over three days we are hoping for a min. of 5 trips. The excitement is building and we all can't wait to get to South Georgia.
Second morning lecture was on the ecosystem below the Antarctic convergence, given by another biologist, Mark who is also the camera man. This was another mind blowing and amazing lecture. We are calling this trip The floating Antarctic University. The life down here is all about the sea, almost nothing lives off the land. Everything relies on the sea for food and the food chain starts with the plankton eaten by the Krill and nearly everything survives off the Krill. Someone has worked out that the krill of the world represents the largest mass of any living group on earth. This university is having some success with me so far.
After lunch the big vacuum cleaning job on our clothes, bags and boots in the mud room. Then onto the aftenoon lecture titled Birds in strange places by Brian, the most passionate naturalist/biologist. This guys has been everywhere in the world and under the sea looking at nature, even been to Aust a number of times. He is enthralling and informative and you cannot help but be swept up with his passion.
First sighting of whales today and of course we continue to be followed and entertained by many birds and in particular the albatross and Petrels.
Past Shag rock about 5 pm which is a milestone of the trip.
After dinner our leader, David, showed us pictures and described the commemoration that occured 5 weeks ago for the burial of Frank Wild. He may have been the greatest polar explorer of all as he is the only man to be awarded 4 polar medals and was the only explorer, in what was known as The Heroic period, to visit the Antarctic 5 times . He was not only Shackleton's right hand man but he was also used by Mawson, Scott and others. If it had not been for his leader ship on Elephant Island the 22 men would not have lived. He kept them alive for five months until Shackleton returned to save them after his epic performance.
As Shackleton died on the 5 Jan 1922 it is almost exactly 90 years since he died and we will be at his and Wild's new grave in a few days. We are emotional to be so privledged to be here at this time. Everyone is so looking forward to the next 3 days.
This is Shackleton's advertisement soliciting for crew.
MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY.SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL, HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.
Apparently he had 3000 applicants.
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