South Georgia - Avian Bird Flu

[Port Power]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Tough news. Any possibility of landings at Grytviken or Fortuna? I believe others have had landings there recently.

We will definitely be landing at Grytviken as the ship has to undergo mandatory immigration and customs.  Evidently 25% of the passengers are inspected.  Because Silversea has such a good rating is why they can go to other places before Grytviken.  I am not saying that passengers can go ashore.  I await further information from the expedition team.

 

Zodiak cruising in Cooper Bay was fantastic for the first group, but the weather came in quickly and the second group struggled to come back aboard.  Snow stinging their faces as it cam in sideways!

 

Tonight’s briefing will indicate if we are landing anywhere else, but of course that is also weather permitting.  
 

Bird specialists advise that it takes two years for this sort of illness to stabilise.  However, it seems that already certain bird populations have natural immunity.

 

Healthy Macaroni penguins.

 

 

Healthy birds.

 

 

Healthy king penguins.

 

And one of multiple huge icebergs!

 

 

We also saw Silver Cloud to port during lunch.

Edited December 25, 2023 by Port Power

[Port Power]

Silver Wind is anchored in Fortuna Bay overnight tonight.  It is a long, sheltered bay.  We will be landing by zodiac tomorrow morning to see king penguins up close.  About one hour on land in staggered groups .

 

In the afternoon the ship moves to Grytviken.  The authorities will come aboard to check passports. They will also check a sample of outer clothing for grass seeds, etc.  Once cleared, zodiacs will ferry passengers in three groups to the cemetery to see Shackleton’s grave, and Watson’s.  Zodiacs will then ferry passengers to the township to visit the museum, church and post office.  We are not allowed to walk through the old town. There is a strict demarcation line to keep any contaminants contained.

 

So, weather permitting, we will be going ashore.  Unless kayaking, of course.

[frantic36]

27 minutes ago, Port Power said:

 Once cleared, zodiacs will ferry passengers in three groups to the cemetery to see Shackleton’s grave

 

When we visited in February this year we weren't able to get closer then 50 metres to Shackleton's Grave because there was a large group of Elephant seals lying all around it. I still managed to get some good photos though. I hope you can get right up to the grave.

[Aussieflyer]

Hopefully the small gift shop will be open - credit card (or English pounds). Like an idiot I did not take mine when we were there 4 years ago so couldn't purchase anything.☹️

[Port Power]

5 hours ago, Aussieflyer said:

Hopefully the small gift shop will be open - credit card (or English pounds). Like an idiot I did not take mine when we were there 4 years ago so couldn't purchase anything.☹️

It will be.  Mention was made at last night’s briefing.  £, €, USD and credit card.

[highplanesdrifters]

15 hours ago, Port Power said:

Silver Wind is anchored in Fortuna Bay overnight tonight.  It is a long, sheltered bay.  We will be landing by zodiac tomorrow morning to see king penguins up close.  About one hour on land in staggered groups .

 

In the afternoon the ship moves to Grytviken.  The authorities will come aboard to check passports. They will also check a sample of outer clothing for grass seeds, etc.  Once cleared, zodiacs will ferry passengers in three groups to the cemetery to see Shackleton’s grave, and Watson’s.  Zodiacs will then ferry passengers to the township to visit the museum, church and post office.  We are not allowed to walk through the old town. There is a strict demarcation line to keep any contaminants contained.

 

So, weather permitting, we will be going ashore.  Unless kayaking, of course.

 

I am so happy for you!  Now that's a good Christmas present.  Dont forget to toast at Shackletons grave.

[CJL2]

Oh no! We are scheduled on the next sailing of the Silver Wind, leaving Puerto Williams on Jan. 6. We were in Antarctica in 2021 for a disastrous Solar Eclipse tour (one landing due to weather and no eclipse due to cloud cover), and booked Silversea to South Georgia and Antarctica this time, specifically to get the entire Southern Ocean experience - and now bird flu! 

 

Fingers crossed they're still allowed to go to South Georgia and get a couple of landings. I heard Ponant recently canceled South Georgia entirely.

 

Please keep us posted on your cruise!

 

On another note, how do you like the experience with Silversea? We went with Ponant last time and have mixed comments.

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by CJL2

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, CJL2 said:

I heard Ponant recently canceled South Georgia entirely.

 

It looks like Le Lyrial is on its way to South Georgia.

 

[CJL2]

That's a good sign! Fingers crossed.

[Port Power]

6 hours ago, CJL2 said:

Oh no! We are scheduled on the next sailing of the Silver Wind, leaving Puerto Williams on Jan. 6. We were in Antarctica in 2021 for a disastrous Solar Eclipse tour (one landing due to weather and no eclipse due to cloud cover), and booked Silversea to South Georgia and Antarctica this time, specifically to get the entire Southern Ocean experience - and now bird flu! 

 

Fingers crossed they're still allowed to go to South Georgia and get a couple of landings. I heard Ponant recently canceled South Georgia entirely.

 

Please keep us posted on your cruise!

 

On another note, how do you like the experience with Silversea? We went with Ponant last time and have mixed comments.

 

Well, as I have been posting, we are definitely at South Georgia, both landing and zodiac cruising.  Currently there are only three places where passengers are allowed to land, and we have done two of them.  I expect the next cruise will do the same.
 

Tomorrow is again zodiac cruising only, as well as kayaks.  St Andrew’s Bay in the morning, Gold Bay in the afternoon.

Edited December 27, 2023 by Port Power

[Familygoboston]

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

Well, as I have been posting, we are definitely at South Georgia, both landing and zodiac cruising.  Currently there are only three places where passengers are allowed to land, and we have done two of them.  I expect the next cruise will do the same.
 

Tomorrow is again zodiac cruising only, as well as kayaks.  St Andrew’s Bay in the morning, Gold Bay in the afternoon.

This is encouraging; we’ll be on silver seas Jan 15 and truly hoping things don’t turn for the worse (for lots of reasons including for the birds!) 

[highplanesdrifters]

15 hours ago, Port Power said:

Tomorrow is again zodiac cruising only, as well as kayaks.

 

Just wondering, do you know if the kayakers are allowed to go on a zodiac cruise in addition to the kayak?  

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

Just wondering, do you know if the kayakers are allowed to go on a zodiac cruise in addition to the kayak?  

Time wouldn’t permit you to kayak and return to the ship and then go out on a zodiac.  Kayaks tend to go out after the first zodiac groups, but before the second groups.  Last night I opted for the zodiac in St Andrew’s Bay in the morning, but kayak in Gold Harbour in the afternoon.  The kayaks cannot get as close to the beaches because of waves and surf, so take different routes.

 

I made the right choice this morning, because our zodiac saw a leopard seal catch and kill a king penguin, and then play around with it for half an hour before eating it.  Feathers were all over the water.  I was amazed at how small the feathers are, but obviously they need to be to provide such a waterproof covering.  The photographer’s zodiac was the only other one there, so there should be some good photos tonight!

 

I could see the kayaks over by the cliffs to our right.  There were some seals over that way.

 

Bad luck for me again as the afternoon kayaking was cancelled due to wind strength.  In that case there is still plenty of time to join your zodiac group.

 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Port Power

[Familygoboston]

8 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Time wouldn’t permit you to kayak and return to the ship and then go out on a zodiac.  Kayaks tend to go out after the first zodiac groups, but before the second groups.  Last night I opted for the zodiac in St Andrew’s Bay in the morning, but kayak in Gold Harbour in the afternoon.  The kayaks cannot get as close to the beaches because of waves and surf, so take different routes.

 

I made the right choice this morning, because our zodiac saw a leopard seal catch and kill a king penguin, and then play around with it for half an hour before eating it.  Feathers were all over the water.  I was amazed at how small the feathers are, but obviously they need to be to provide such a waterproof covering.  The photographer’s zodiac was the only other one there, so there should be some good photos tonight!

 

I could see the kayaks over by the cliffs to our right.  There were some seals over that way.

 

Bad luck for me again as the afternoon kayaking was cancelled due to wind strength.  In that case there is still plenty of time to join your zodiac group.

 

 

This is such helpful into! So if I’m reading right, if you choose to kayak and they decide it’s not safe, you can still get out on a zodiac. Also sounds like there’s a special zodiac for photographers? Does this mean there’s a bit more room for their gear? Or they have the photograph specialist on the zodiac? In curious about this! But enjoy your trip as priority one! My question can wait 🥰

[Port Power]

38 minutes ago, Familygoboston said:

This is such helpful into! So if I’m reading right, if you choose to kayak and they decide it’s not safe, you can still get out on a zodiac. Also sounds like there’s a special zodiac for photographers? Does this mean there’s a bit more room for their gear? Or they have the photograph specialist on the zodiac? In curious about this! But enjoy your trip as priority one! My question can wait 🥰

Absolutely correct.  Kayaking being cancelled is usually announced with 1-2 hours’ notice before zodiacs start leaving.

 

The ship’s specialist photographer always seems to go out by himself with driver, sometimes with one other expedition member.  At the end of the cruise passengers are given a USB with pictures from our expedition.  Out on the zodiac, the photographer can photograph us, as well as get up pretty close to shore.  They can also go back and forth to find just the right place, view or action.

 

There was also one zodiac with just two passengers.  We think this is a “private expedition experience” that can be purchased.  One passenger had a huge camera lens, the other a GoPro on a long stick.

Don’t you worry, I certainly am enjoying.  Definitely bring binoculars.  I find my so useful.

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Port Power

[Familygoboston]

10 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Absolutely correct.  Kayaking being cancelled is usually announced with 1-2 hours’ notice before zodiacs start leaving.

 

The ship’s specialist photographer always seems to go out by himself with driver, sometimes with one other expedition member.  At the end of the cruise passengers are given a USB with pictures from our expedition.  Out on the zodiac, the photographer can photograph us, as well as get up pretty close to shore.  They can also go back and forth to find just the right place, view or action.

 

There was also one zodiac with just two passengers.  We think this is a “private expedition experience” that can be purchased.  One passenger had a huge camera lens, the other a GoPro on a long stick.

Don’t you worry, I certainly am enjoying.  Definitely bring binoculars.  I find my so useful.

 

My big binoculars with my chest strap come in every wildlife Expedtion! Hubby has tricked out his photography kit so he can change lenses etc without needing to place anything in the ground. We’ve been trying to understand the rules so he knows what gear to bring and what’s permitted to do. He loves photographing wildlife and we can wait to see what’s out there! 

[Port Power]

6 minutes ago, Familygoboston said:

My big binoculars with my chest strap come in every wildlife Expedtion! Hubby has tricked out his photography kit so he can change lenses etc without needing to place anything in the ground. We’ve been trying to understand the rules so he knows what gear to bring and what’s permitted to do. He loves photographing wildlife and we can wait to see what’s out there! 

 

The included “backpack” is actually a large dry bag.  Mostly they are used by photographers during zodiac runs.  They can be left on the floor of the zodiac.

 

[Port Power]

7 hours ago, Familygoboston said:

This is such helpful into! So if I’m reading right, if you choose to kayak and they decide it’s not safe, you can still get out on a zodiac. Also sounds like there’s a special zodiac for photographers? Does this mean there’s a bit more room for their gear? Or they have the photograph specialist on the zodiac? In curious about this! But enjoy your trip as priority one! My question can wait 🥰

I was right, it is a private tour, for a price. ( I have no idea of that price though.) 

[Familygoboston]

56 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I was right, it is a private tour, for a price. ( I have no idea of that price though.) 

Good to know- we have a sizable OBC and nothing to spend on, this might be our move! 

[drron29]

Last week there were suspected cases of Avian flu in the South Orkney Islands. They are about half way between South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.

https://scar.org/scar-news/life-sciences/awhn-news/hpai-antarctic-treaty-area

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/South+Orkney+Islands/@-58.3547396,-60.9967184,4z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0xbbff1e86cc4c6591:0x130ae719f859b714!8m2!3d-60.6402942!4d-45.2419342!16zL20vMDJfcHFo?authuser=0&entry=ttu

 

If it gets to the Peninsula it will really affect Next seasons Antarctic cruises.

[highplanesdrifters]

@Port Power

Great intel, thanks.   I think it's your superpower. You always got to the bottom of things in the Kimberly's! 😃

 

Last time we were in Antarctica and South South Georgia we had 7 kayaks booked. Only 2 trips went. Not sure I'll book any for South Georgia this coming Feb/March.  Don't want to miss a possible landing there. 

 

Private zodiac for a fee, very interesting .  I bet it's a big number $$$.😉

[Familygoboston]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

@Port Power

Great intel, thanks.   I think it's your superpower. You always got to the bottom of things in the Kimberly's! 😃

 

Last time we were in Antarctica and South South Georgia we had 7 kayaks booked. Only 2 trips went. Not sure I'll book any for South Georgia this coming Feb/March.  Don't want to miss a possible landing there. 

 

Private zodiac for a fee, very interesting .  I bet it's a big number $$$.😉

I’m curious about that number too! 

[Port Power]

14 minutes ago, Familygoboston said:

I’m curious about that number too! 

I went along to speak to Bogdan in the photo studio.  (Couple/group price is per person.)  Please continue to read second message.  

 

 

The poster below is the same price for each excursion.  The first is booked through the expedition team and may or may not have a driver who is also a keen photographer.  Basically your private taxi.  At least it is still personal and away from the other zodiacs.

 

The second excursion, same price,  you book with the photographic studio and the photographer goes with you to provide expert advice, help, or just to take the photos for you.  Maximum four passengers for either excursion.

 

 

If this appeals to you, Bogdan recommends you see the photographic studio onboard as soon as you can to book.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Again, great intel. Thanks!

[Familygoboston]

Port power,  this is awesome! Thank you for sharing! This sounds like a way to use our credit! We have little interest in top shelf liquor or specialty dining and I haven’t been able to figure out what to use it on- this would be very cool! (Literally! 🤣😳)