December 9th – German and British Outposts

During the night we sailed into another secluded bay to find a fully
operational German research station.  We landed our zodiacs on a rocky
shoreline and made our way up the snow path to the station.  After touring
the station and talking with the researchers we visited the nearby penguin
colonies and were able to grab our first glimps of a few eggs.  Returning to
the ship we sailed to the other side of the huge bay and visited yet another
outpost, this one run by the British and now a fully restored museum and
post office.  The visit was grand we toured the various rooms of the
station, bought and mailed postcards home, and once again enjoyed the
penguins colonies across a small inlet.  There we were able to get within a
few feet of a paid of leopard seals sunning themselves in the bright and
warm summer sun.

This evening we gathered on deck for the most magnificent sunset at midnight
you can imagine.  As we watched the sky turn from blue to yellow, to pink to
red we also watched 30 passengers take to the zodiacs for an overnight
camping adventure in the snow of a nearby island…yikes.  The temperature
during the day has never gotten above 34 and tonight will be well below
freezing.  I’m sure there will be stories to tell in the morning.