The Approach to South Georgia

Here am I, up on deck early to get a first glimpse of my new island home! A beautiful day meant we were able to judge our progress by constant reference to the coastline and the maps on the ship's bridge as we coasted along the northwestern coastline towards the entrance to Cumberland Bay. The mountains reach nearly to 3000m at the maximum which occurs just behind our station.

Here, the ship approaches the entrance to Cumberland Bay - once inside the mouth of the bay, it splits into two - the one named East, we enter. That named West becomes separated by part of our local travel area in which we'll be able to walk and ski when conditions and work allow.

Getting close! The sea colour and the weather were incredibly beautiful.

Our welcome into the base! It's not that clear from this picture but we were welcomed in fancy dress as is customary... a strange sight it was to see our mooring lines secured by a clown, a hunchback and several characters of dubious gender. The base commander's beard stayed in place for a good hour before she removed it to get down to some more serious business...