"From where, therefore, comes that peculiar lure of these polar regions that is so
powerful and tenacious that after having left one forgets all moral and physical
fatigue and thinks only of going back? ... Here is the sanctuary of sanctuaries,
where Nature reveals herself in all her formidable power.... The man who
penetrates his way into these regions feels his soul uplifted”.-Charcot
We were all anxious to get off the ship and get into a zodiac and make our way to the two landing spots this morning, Those of us that went to the base were greeted by Nikki, who welcomed us to their workplace to get a feeling of what life was like throughout the years at this British base.
We walked by the Gentoos and smiled as the Union Jack flew proudly on this Remembrance Day in such a remote part of the world. The gift store was hopping as the shoppers picked up souvenir gifts for friends and family and everyone was frantically writing out the post cards to be sent from the most southerly post office in the world.
The old cans of food and equipment that decorated the kitchen and the living areas,
created an atmosphere of life throughout the 40’s until its closing in 1962.
After a huge renovation in 1997 the base was re-opened for the ships to visit and admire the
museum and gift shop. After the visit to the base we went to our second landing spot at
Jugla point where we sat and watched again the hilarious antics of the gentoo penguin
as they went about their daily life, hoping for that snow to melt so they could start their
breeding cycle.
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