Of Greykviten and Gluwein

We had a relax after our shore excursion. Well to be honest I had a snooze while DJ played with his remarkable images. He has been able to capture magnificent wildlife photos and I cannot wait for you to see them. The animals, similar to The Galapagos, simply sit and do what is natural for them. So in comparison [and I know that is not fair] to African wildlife image taking this offers more opportunities to obtain more photos.

We spent the whole afternoon in Greytviken – the whaling station. But before that we have officially seen our first ice-berg – larger than a grand piano. So we are officially [I suppose] in South Polar country.

A barbeque arranged for the evening turned into such fun. Arranged on the Lido deck [no swimming pool in sight]the view was as different from a South African braai that you could get. Icebergs on the horizon, steep cliffs nearby and a small museum whale village on shore. The staff is always so helpful and certainly full of fun. I have found a ‘fellow Indian’ who on making a chance remark about the area being similar to Kashmir, became an instant pal and when he mentioned that he lived just outside Dharamsala we were instantly related.

The staff began setting up the evening function on the deck early afternoon and as always everything was set and done for our return. Caribbean music played, more food than you can consume [anything from sausage to prawns] great salads. Gluwein was the drink of the evening which was quaffed by all the passengers.

The community of the Greykviten joined us [all fifteen of them] and preceded to enjoy themselves talking amongst the passengers and enjoying the companionship expedition ships provide – although apparently it is not a given that they are invited on board.

Many of the people on shore are contracted for more than two years. I suspect they find it extremely difficult to fit back into the humdrum home life in England. One young person is doing research on the breeding patterns of the King penguin – and hopes to return for a second term and stay on the even more remote Bird Island for a further two years.