Back to MS Fram
Boarding the Polar Circle boats was as difficult as getting out of them on this landing. The expedition team members stood on each side of the steps holding the boat in one hand and each giving us the seaman’s grip with the other. The bow of the boat sometimes was near the steps and sometimes was simply in mid-air.
As we boarded the Polar Circle boat the Able Seaman told us all to be ready to hold onto the central bar when commanded. I shielded my eyes from the snow as the boat sped back to Fram. The call to hold on came as we rounded Fram and the boat dipped sharply as we turned.
Deck 2 was empty and this made it easy to take off our Muck boots and life jackets off. Our Hurtigruten jackets had repelled all the snow but my fur lined waterproof trousers were soaked . They had a layer of black sand stuck around the trouser legs. As I was packing up I noticed that I didn’t have my lens cap and had no idea where it might be.
Dinner was again a buffet. We were some of the last passengers to leave the beach and by the time we were ready to eat at nearly 8 pm the restaurant was nearly empty.
Briefing for the next day on South Georgia
The briefing for our second day of landings on South Georgia hike over the hills. They were to be dropped at Maiviken and then walk over the hill to Grytviken to get there as Fram was landing everyone else.
This was to be our first landing where we would be met by government officials who would process everyone for both immigration and customs. They would be coming on board before anyone was able to leave the ship at Grytviken.
Before going to bed I took our clothes to the lobby of Deck 3 and vacuumed all the black sand off.