Sailing Antarctica Seas!: The Penguin Post

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

We motored a short distance early this morning to anchor near Wienke and Goudier Islands. Port Lockroy, on Goudier Island, is a station of historical importance as the earliest example of a British scientific research station in the Antarctic Peninsula region. It was in operation from 1944-1962. It now houses the (most southern!) post office, a lovely souvenir shop and a very nice museum. Laura, one of four summer residents there, came over to the ship to give us a little history about the site and to invite us to visit (and shop!!). The proceeds go to the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. (I did my part!!)

Antarctic Shag and chicks

But before going to spend money, a group of us went to Jougla Point on Wienke Island to see the nesting cormorants, the Antarctic Shags. The birds lay 2-3 eggs and many had two or three very large chicks! They nest among the penguins!

Port Lockroy

After a nice little hike, we took the short zodiac ride over to Port Lockroy and enjoyed the museum and shop. Bought a couple of post cards to send home, from the most southern post office in the world! Unfortunately, I did not think to bring anybody’s home address, so I just had to send one to me! LOL!!

In the museum

The most southern post box in the world!

The ship motored a short distance during lunch into Dorian Bay. There we went for a hike to see the Damoy Hut which was a summer transit station established in 1975. It was set up to support the airstrip on Damoy Point which had been in use since late 1973. The 400 meter ski-way was marked out on the spine of the glacier on which a twin otter aircraft was able to land (OMG!!). Then we trekked up to the “ski-way” (runway for crazy pilots!) Had incredible views from up there! Could see down to Wienke and Goudier Islands where we were in the morning!