The day started grey and very overcast as we approached Elephant Island where Shackleton left most of his crew. Shakleton’s story is quite a feat of leadership and seamanship. He sailed to Antarctica and was stuck in pack ice in the Weddell sea. They had to abandon ship once the ice began crushing the ship so they moved onto the ice. The entire group spent over a year on Antarctica until they decided to try to go north to try for rescue.
They left in 3 lifeboats and rowed hundreds of miles to Elephant Island which is the spot we visited. They made camp on a very small beach in a cove next to an iceberg which would be their water source. Shackleton realized that they would never be rescued from Elephant island because no ships went there. Shackleton left most of his crew on the tiny beach where they used overturned boats for shelter. Shackleton promised to return.
Shackleton set out with 4 crew to sail to South Georgia island a 700 mile journey( it was an incredible feat of navigation) They arrived in about 3 weeks on the south side of the island. Shackleton and 2 crew hiked over uncharted mountains to the whaling station on the other side of South Georgia.
Ultimately Shackleton was able to return to rescue his crew on Elephant island. Everyone had survived. The whole story is fascinating.
Our stop at Elephant island did not include a landing. Our ship pulled into the very small cove where we could see the tiny beach and the glacier. The winds whipped down the glacier so it appeared to be snowing intermittently. It was a very inhospitable spot in my view. It was too cold for me to go outside for a photo.
We left Elephant island to spend the rest of the day at sea. Our sea passages are filled with fascinating talks from the naturalists about wildlife, icebergs, effects of whaling on the population and descriptions of our next destination.
We have also met so many interesting people on board. Meals are available in two locations and seating is open so we try to connect with others we haven’t yet met.
Our evening ended with a movie about Shackleton with archival photos. Another great day.
The Adventures of Anne 
Hi Anne!! Alison is here in Bermuda with us and we are following your adventures. Photos are fantastic! Are you playing Rummikub? Alison knows how to play, so we have played in the evening. Looks like a trip of a lifetime! Enjoy;)
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Oh- And Happy Vanentine’s Day!!!
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Great photos! Especially the one with the rest of the iceberg under the clear water. We can see why one must give them a wide berth!
Elephant does look inhospitable…. we still think that Shackletons’s adventure of leaving his men there and sailing the James Caird to S Georgia is truly a miraculous story, not only because they even got there in those frigid waters with the southern ocean winds, but that they returned and they men were still alive!!!
Not sure whether people today would have that resilience.
Anne! good for you being able to contribute your medical expertise!!!!
Wish we were there!!!
K&S
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