Day 14 Wednesday 4 February Hercules Point South Georgia

We arrived at Fortuna Bay at about 8.00am. 

Fortuna Bay is the starting point for the Shackleton Walk, the last leg of an epic trek across South Georgia that would lead to the eventual rescue of all 22 members of the "Endurance's" remaining crew who were marooned on Elephant Island. 

This was to be a zodiac landing to look at the local wildlife.  All seemed well from our cabin window, even some sunshine.  However looks can be deceptive.  The crew had already been examining the landing conditions.  What we couldn't see from our cabin window were the strong gusty winds.  So strong that all landings were cancelled for the day.  It was decided to sail to another inlet at Hercules Point.

On the way, we had lunch at Mamsen's Cafe.  Stephen tried the lompe - a Norwegian hotdog.  It tasted the way it sounded.  We think the fancy design of sauce over the top is to distract from the flavour - which was so subtle, as to be completely absent.

While we had changed location, we were still to see fur seals, elephant seals and King penguins.  The bonus however was that Hercules Point was home to some Macaroni penguins.  These are flamboyant-looking penguins with dashing orange feathers above their eyes.  We also got to see gentoo penguins and a lone chinstrap penguin.  

We did not land, but a zodiac trip around the inlet showed us the wildlife.  We were lucky to have Christopher, the "birdman", pointing out the different species from our zodiac.

                                                     Christopher, the "Birdman"

                                                 Penguins nesting up the cliff face

                      Macaroni penguins - look for the orange feathers above their eyes.

       A Macaroni penguin.  Such a handsome fellow - and "he" knows it.  

He has Stephen's eyebrows !

                                       We are seated at the back of the zodiac.