February 16,

As we were getting around and at 0815 the Captain announced sighting of our first iceberg off of our port – left – side. We could see it from our balcony! So we rushed out to the bow – front – of the yacht. Yay!! So majestic! Once out of view we went to breakfast. I had a “croiffle,” which was a croissant/waffle with with cream cheese, Nordic cured salmon, pickled red onion, seasonal greens, and citrus. It was labeled as a popular South Korean fusion. Jeff had Shakshuka, a north African traditional culinary heritage, which was a tomato, bell pepper cassoulet with Ras el Hanout spice, poached eggs and artisanal bread. I had some coffee here and Jeff had some tea. We are taking Dramamine pretty much around the clock. The Captain had said earlier with the iceberg announcement that the storm has caught up with us and we are experiencing around twenty foot swells. But the swells are gentle, and with the medicine we seem okay. Walking though is a bit of a challenge.

We went to the auditorium and watched the lecture on climate ‘change in weather is reshaping our world’. Then we went back to our cabin to watch the whale lecture, but decided to just go to the dome. We just sat and watched the floating break-off icebergs floating by. They were becoming more frequent and were all shapes and sizes from little popcorn looking ones to larger ones. I thought one appeared to be a Sea Turtle, and another Devil’s Tower. We watched until around one then went to lunch. I had beef with bell peppers, onions, and cranberry sauce over roasted potatoes; and cream of broccoli soup. Jeff had Pork and Chorizo Cassoulet with risotto and cheese and nuts. We shared a scoop of chocolate ice cream.

Then back up to the Dome to watch the sea. Besides the icebergs there have been soaring Albatross. At 1500 we went for the lecture on a case study of South Georgia Biogeography. Around 1645 the Captain announced whale sightings. So we stayed in our cabin and watched them blowing out air, just breaching the surface enough to see their backs. So awesome. The Captain even slowed the boat some so we could watch. We watched the Wildlife Photography lecture from our room to finish watching the whales!!! (They left by around 1730.)

1815 we went for the Recap of the day and Briefing for tomorrow. We will be doing our first Zodiac excursions! First one in Godyhul (meaning Good Hollow) Harbor – a Zodiac cruise for an hour. Next the yacht will reposition in King Edward Cove, and an inspection of the yacht from South Georgia officials. Then the second excursion after lunch in the town of Grytviken. We will do a landing at Shackleton’s grave and walking one km to the old whaling station. YAHOO!!!

At 1930 we went to supper and was given a shrimp dumpling each as a starter- there was a dumpling making demonstration this afternoon…so probably a surplus. We ordered a Ribollita Soup- white beans, kale, pancetta, and pecorino in a beef broth;and a Double Ginger Salad with chickpeas and peanuts. Our mains were a Caraway Encrusted Stingray with two types of beetroot, & spinach in a red wine sauce; and a Veal Tenderloin Diane with potatoes, peas & carrots in a rich mushroom sauce. Then desserts were a Pistachio Tiramisu and a Baked Camembert cheese with dried cranberries, walnuts, and honey with thyme.

Back at our cabin, we settled in to get ready for tomorrow. I blogged and Jeff read. Bed by 2200.