Day 11 - South Orkney Islands

Date - 26 November, 2016

Weather - Overcast, max 2 degrees

Seas - Choppy with wind-whipped steady swells, strong winds

The large, choppy seas had us rolling around in our bunks last night. Thankfully, breakfast was at the later time of 8.00 o'clock as the seasickness tablets are making me and many fellow passengers feeling tired. Henk is feeling the same way as he has started taking the medication as well due to the increasing choppy seas. Fifteen minutes prior to breakfast the expedition's leader, Solan Jensen, broadcasts on the speaker system to make sure we are awake and gives us our position and forecast. This morning he reported that the winds were coming from the west at about a mighty 50 knots, the outside temperature was two degrees and visibility was relatively good.

At nine o'clock we started sailing close and down one side of the ice covered mountainous South Orkney Islands. It was a magnificent site with many large icebergs floating by as well.  Standing on deck to take photos now is freezing and we need our yellow coats to keep warm. During the morning we sailed down the side of Coronation Island. This is the largest of the South Orkney Islands at forty kilometres long with its highest peak at 1,256metres. 

We sailed around the top of the island and moored in a sheltered bay on the southern side called Shingle Bay. Only three of the crew have visited the island so there was much excitement seeing it with the potential of alanding. 

In the morning we were given a briefing on Antarctica and its political history. Tourism is highly regulated for the conservation of the Antarctic and once again we had to do a mandatory cleaning of our outer clothes with disinfectant and vacuuming our backpacks. This was followed by signing a declaration that we have undertaken the bio security measures.

After our mandatory briefing we had free time until lunch so I took the opportunity to just sit in the warm Nautilus Lounge in the aft looking at the passing scenery. One of the passengers played the grand piano so it was very pleasant. 

When we came into Shingle Bay in the early afternoon the wind was very strong and there was a lot of sea ice and icebergs, however, it was calm which was a welcome reprieve. It was also freezing and many of us who went out in all our gear didn't last long on the outer decks. The planned landings didn't take place due to the strong wind and swells as it was too risky. 

We anchored in the bay for a few hours to take in the views of the floating ice, the icebergs, glaciers and the snow capped mountains. The South Orkney Islands are stunning to look at but it is a most inhabitable place. 

At about five o'clock we left the relative calm of the bay and set out to the open ocean and headed westwards towards Elephant Island. It started to snow again and we started to see more and larger icebergs. They look spectacular. 

At our briefing prior to dinner we were told that we went through the Low about lunchtime and the seas should ease overnight. 

We gained an hour tonight as we turned back our watches.