Plans of Grytviken
Unlike our previous landings there were no restrictions on the numbers of passengers who could go ashore. We were to land by the cemetery and leave at the small boat landing site just past two beached catcher boats.
Landing at Grytviken
We were taken by the Polar Circle boats to a landing just by the cemetery. After our briefing we joined the queue of to see Shackleton’s grave.
It is traditional to pour some whiskey on Shackleton’s grave and then finish the tot.
As we walked towards the buildings our path was once again between seal pups. Behind the hydro-electric building is where the hikers came down into Grytviken. This is also a viewpoint that overlooks Grytviken.
Next to it was a small boat propped up. As we passed there were seal pups sleeping around it.
This small boat is one of the iconic images of Grytviken when it has King penguins all around it. Here are the two that I found.
The Petrel – a catcher boat
Further along the path was a beached catcher boat- the Petrel.
New museum building
After the remains of the whaling station we came to a new building that was a museum with a replica of the boat that Shackleton sailed from Elephant Island to South Georgia.
For me even more remarkable was the stuffed Wandering Albatross by the door that showed just how big these birds are.
The SGHT museum itself was packed with fellow passengers so we left and went around the corner to the South Georgia Post Office. There we posted our King penguin post cards bought on Fram.
Grytviken’s church
The church at Grytviken sits back from the whaling station’s remains and has been restored.
Inside visitors can carefully ring the bells from the gallery at the back of the church. At the side of the alter was a door that leads to a small hallway with shields of visiting ships and a room with a small library.
