Linda’s and my expectations were high as South Georgia came within sight. South Georgia is purported to be the crown jewel of the polar seas for wild life and scenery. At 103 by 22 miles at its widest points it is exceptionally mountainous, going from sea level to almost 10,000 feet in a few miles as well as being heavily glaciated. During the breeding season, December into January, there is more wildlife per square foot here than anywhere else on the planet. Estimates are up to 30 million breeding birds which include 7 million penguins and 250,000 albatross, over 2 ½ million seals and scores of whales including humpbacks, southern right whales, fin, siene and orcas to name a few. With no airfield it is exceptionally remote, the only way to access it is by a 5 day ship journey from South America.
We would spend 3 days exploring the island after a mandatory bio security check at South Georgia's only settlement Grytviken. All visitors to the island must go through extensive decontamination of any outer clothing and gear to prevent any foreign or invasive species from being introduced to it's unique enviroment. Grytviken was a prosperous whaling station for almost 60 years and processed almost 54,000 whales before shutting down in 1963. Now very little of the town is left and only the skeleton of the oil works remain.