Penguin-People, Seals, and Meals

A Note from Sam Prouty:

Hi all,

This morning, the Prince Albert II anchored off the coast of South Georgia Island, and we were all treated to our first adventure aboard the Zodiak boats. Dressed in layer after layer, we all looked and moved an awful lot like the penguins we headed out to see! We toured the coastline, heading in and out of several coves; we did not yet step on land, but that comes later today when we anchor again off the Salisbury Plain, where we will make our first Zodiak landing.

The sheer numbers of wildlife are incredible. We saw literally hundreds--perhaps thousands--of penguins and seals this morning (and a number of birds, mostly petrils and albatrosses), including many different species of all. The beaches are literally full. The giant elephant seals lounge around not doing much, and when they do muster up the energy to go somewhere, they look like "giant slugs," according to one student in my Zodiak. The fur seals, by contrast, are far more active, with adult males ruling their breeding beaches, fighting rivals, climbing bluffs, following the boats in the water, and generally monitoring their pups. The pups are adorable as they explore the water and the land, learning their surroundings and how to do what they need to do. Some of the seals come right up to the boat to give us a look--one even splashed us with his flapper! We all took far too many photos, so as a group we will have tens of thousands of seal shots for you all back home. We're braving numb fingers to get these terrific shots, so you all had better appreciate our photo journals when we come back home!

The penguins, too, are a hoot to watch as they hang out on their beaches and watch after their young. The whole place was far more noisy and odorous then you might assume from the pictures you will have seen.

We are now seeing our first icebergs, and are sure to see more and larger bergs as we continue. We're also seeing some fishing vessels which use South Georgia as their base of operations. We are told that a few other cruise ships are in the area, but we have yet to spot those.

Now that we are south of the Antarctic Convergence (where the oceans meet), the air is a full 10 degrees colder, as is the water. To be on deck or in the Zodiaks, we certainly need our many layers and our waterproof and windproof outer shells. Today started out overcast, but the sun is now shining brilliantly. It's about 37 degrees with a calm wind and calm seas. Quite a day for exploring. The seasickness which ruined life for many of us 2 days ago seems to have passed.

Back on the PAII, we continue to live in style, eating luxuriously (pizza for lunch today, with lots of other choices and innumerable chocolate options for dessert), exercising, enjoying the live piano music in the evenings, journaling, reading, and bonding with one another. One student, Alejandro Poggi, is especially pleased that he beat a certain English teacher (who shall remain unnamed) at Scrabble. A rematch is imminent, and Alejandro should not expect his win to become a winning streak.

We all miss our family and friends, and wish that we could share this experience with you all.

Love,

Sam