Walking to Neptune’s Window
The wind was strong once we left the shelter of the whaling station and walked back past the landing site. Stretching away from the remains of the whaling station was a wide expanse of beach that lead all the way to the circle of hills that formed the caldera. Now we could could see the dip in the hills that was called Neptune’s Window.
This gap in the hills around Port Foster allows views out to sea. To get there meant a long walk alongside Whalers’Bay. As we walked long the beach we passed odd structures left behind that had somehow survived all the volcanic activity. We were walking across snow that was a couple of inches deep. The wind was blowing now straight into our faces.
The distance from the landing site to Neptune’s Window was deceptive.
Neptune’s Window
By the time we reached the base of the hill leading up to Neptune’s Window the climb looked a lot higher than back at the whaling station. Progress up the hill was made difficult by the loose surface and by the high winds that at times seemed to lift you off your feet. The view across across Whalers’ Bay was worth effort.
At the top, an expedition team member briefed us to stay behind the boulders and not to venture close to the edge.
It was hard to even stand up as the wind was so strong and even worse it was blowing out to sea. (My later image of Neptune’s Window taken as we left the island shows just how precarious our position was). The view over the sea was well worth the climb. This image was taken peeping over the boulders as we watched the waves crash into the cliffs below.
Back to the landing point
Coming back down was just as tricky as going up especially as now we had the wind blowing behind us. The footsteps made when going up were now useful as stepping stones when descending.
A closer look at Neptune’s Bellows.
I did try walking back along the beach rather than walking back on the snow further inland but found it was harder walking.
And there were even more bits left over from earlier times to examine.
The excursion to Neptune’s Window did make us a little late back to the landing site! Thankfully no-one seemed to mind.
The seals were again all around the landing site holding up proceedings when they ventured too close.
Views of Whalers’ Bay from Ms Fram
Out on deck after returning to Fram I went out on deck to take pictures of the structures and the buildings. From the ship the walk to Neptune’s Window looked a short walk with an easy climb.
