On the last day of 2016, our cruise ship the Seabourn Quest, anchored just off Waterboat Point in Paradise Bay.
Here is Chile’s Antarctic Base which was active from 1951-58 and again briefly in the early 1980’s. The base was named after Chilean president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla who in the 1940’s became the first head of state of any nation, to visit Antarctica.
Waterboat Point is an official historic site under the Antarctic Treaty and this sign honours the smallest ever wintering-over party of just two men, who spent a year and a day in 1921-22 in a shelter they made out of an old whaling boat they found on the site. Maxime Lester and Thomas Bagshawe, 22 and 19-years-old respectively, were junior members of the British Imperial Expedition, and when their particular project was aborted because of lack of funds, they and two others hitched a ride on a Norwegian Whaling ship. Against the advice of the whalers, these two opted to stay over in Antarctica for a year. They survived the Antarctic winter ‘against the odds’ by extending the hulk of the old boat with packing cases, sacks and timber. This small, uncomfortable but almost weatherproof hut became their base, and they supplemented their meager supply of biscuits, baked beans, pemmican, sweets and crème-de-menthe sweets aand a little alcohol, with seal and penguin meat, as well as penguin eggs. They used seal blubber for heating and cooking fuel. When the two whaling Captains returned for them on the 18th December, they sent them away again, refusing to leave until they’d spent a full year there and completed their research. They left on the 13th January, 1922. Theirs is an incredible story of ‘survival against the odds’.
Whilst there, they did daily metrological measurements and conducted detailed studies of the wildlife. Bagshawe wrote the first scientific study of penguins and their development, and today the Gentoo penguins, the descendants of the ones he studied, nest in the ruins of the whaleboat shelter.
If you’re a penguin hugger, this is the place to go. You can really get up close and personal with the gorgeous Gentoos. This Mama-to-be even stood up from her nest to proudly show us her eggs. (I told her you’d like to see what she was sitting on.)
Here is Marilyn, the blondest and most glamorous of these red-beaked creatures. Our expedition leader told us that she’s very popular and never without a partner.
This jolly pair were most cooperative and posed very happily for their photo shoot.
We only had about an hour to explore, as there’s a limit to how many people are allowed on land at any one time. Passengers on our expedition cruise were split up into five groups, and as one lot left to rejoin the ship, the next ones were arriving.
At this point, we had travelled just over 3.500 km from our starting point in Valparaiso.
We still had another two weeks to go, so I have lots more to share with you.
Tonight we’re going out for dinner with friends to a restaurant who’s motto is “Eat, drink and be comfy.” It gets great reviews, so I’m looking forward to it very much. Hope you’re having a relaxing and fun weekend.
A.Maze.Ing!
Thanks, Jaspa. It was an amazing trip. 🙂
Ohhhh … I love the penguins. They always look like their dressed for a festivity of some kind. This looks like it was a spectacular place to visit. Thank you for posting these. It adds to my Bucket List.
Issy 😎
Thanks so much, Issy. I do hope you get to see them in person one day. 🙂
Love the photos…especially the one of the two penguins posing on the rock. 😀
Thanks, Karen. They were so cute. 🙂
Fascinating story about the two expeditioners, and what incredible photos you snapped Sylvia, love the history. What an incredible place to spend the last day of 2016. Marylin looks very pleased with life doesn’t she? 😉 But your first photo…stunning… xx
Thanks so much, Sherri. Yes, Marilyn looked very contented with life. 🙂 xx
🙂 xx
I ‘travelled’ with you on Facebook and must say this is one trip I would love to do 🙂
Thanks, Tandy. You’d love this trip, and the food on the Seabourn is first class. 🙂
I love learning through beautiful blogs and photos like yours. The human spirit is a miraculous thing. I can’t imagine how these two young men survived, and yet they lived and explored and gave to us all.
And the penguins – oh, how it makes the heart sing. What a trip!!
ZThanks so much, Pamela. I’m happy you enjoyed this post. 😘
Thanks for this great, beautifully illustrated story, Sylvia. Especially loved the Gentoo Mama and Marilyn. XX
Thanks so much, Helen. 😘
When you think of the horribly cold weather and the elements being quite frightening, I was proud of those two young men saying “no” to the shortened term and staying on to complete their amazing and compete research study. Thanks so much, Sylvia for sharing “the rest of the story!” The blonde Marilyn and the other penguins were precious.
I always enjoy your sense of humor. 🙂 Animals feel comfortable around you, even sharing the egg they are keeping warm. ❤
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Robin. I’m happy that you enjoyed the photos as well as the story. xx
What an exciting trip you’re on. Loving your penguin photos. Enjoy!
It was very exciting and included two attempted muggings in South America; not by penguins though. 🙂
Oh my. I hope you weren’t hurt. I see you still have your sense of humour.
Yes, that, fortunately can’t be stolen.
Fascinating story and trip
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
il tuo magnifico viaggio stata una vera e propria avventura che ti ha concesso di vivere una grande esperienza e di condividerla con il tuoi lettori ed amici
grazie cara Sylvia un bacione
Thanks so much, dear Annalisa. It really was an amazing experience. A big kiss to you too. 🙂 xx
Incredible survival story, how brave those two men were! Oh, and love the happy couple capture, so cute!
Thanks so much, Donna. 🙂
Amazing story! This place looks gorgeous, so does the photos!
Thanks, Agnes. 🙂
We’re glad the penguin showed her eggs, Sylvia. That was very special 🙂 Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday 🙂 ❤
Thanks, Binky and granny, I think it was very sporting of her. 🙂
Really enjoying your posts on this fascinating trip!
Thank you so much. I guess there will be a few more. 🙂
Fascinating, with excellent shots
Thanks, Derrick. 🙂
I love those km posts, I’d be a very long way form home. Happy Sunday Sylvia and I hope last nights dinner was good 🙂
Me too, Gilly. Dinner last night was fabulous. We enjoyed every bite and sip, as well as the company and the live music.
Oh my goodness, I would love to visit – but a year in those conditions? No thanks! Love the penguins, especially the jolly pair who look quite loved up.
Thanks, Anabel. Those were two very hardy guys. 🙂
What an incredible story of those two young men….makes me shiver just thinking about being alone in such a remote place…. Loved the Penguins!
Thanks, Sue. I can’t imagine spending so long in such a remote and cold place, either. Thank goodness they both made it through. It would be too dreadful to be completely on one’s own. 😕
Indeed
What an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes, it was, Ruth. 🙂
Terrific story and magnificent penguin photos. Love it.
Peta
Thanks so much, Peta.
I just love those penguins!!
Thanks so much, Lisa. Those penguins are adorable to watch. 🙂
Very interesting story and your photo are stunning, Sylvia. I love the penguins nuzzling! ❤
Thanks so much, Jill. They were so precious. 😍
This is an interesting story. It hard to imagine two men lived in such place and survived for a year.
Seeing the pictures of those penguins, I think I can turn into a penguin huger. I first thought they really let you touch them. But getting that close and they stay put for you to take pictures are amazing. I guess they get use to people already. I am wondering any tourists feed them as well?
I really enjoy the post!
No food is allowed to be taken ashore. The are very strict about not touching the wildlife.
Hope you were nice and comfy, and well fed too 🙂 I do love the ‘happy pair’!
Just about to leave for dinner. I’ll report back. 😘
Good lass! 🙂
Oh, this sounds even more wonderful…and I adore those penguins. they seem just as friendly and easy to come close to as the animals on Galapagos. Great shots!
Thanks, Ann Christine. I think the animals are so used to seeing boatloads of people coming and going, that it doesn’t phase them in the least. 🙂
Amazing post with awesome pictures…
Very interesting reportage, too!
You ought to feel at home , with all those feathered creatures to photograph!
Thanks so much, Anna. Yes, I did feel at home, although it was a lot colder than home. 🙂
eat drink and be comfy…. ahhh sounds good – enjoy your meal
and love this post- especially when the peng stood up to show us the egg
Thanks so much, Yvette. I’m happy you enjoyed that sweet momma penguin.
🙂
Brilliant reportage of your cruise with the seaboum
Thanks so much, Marylou.
Such a privilege to visit this place. I can’t imagine spending a whole year there and making it through the winter. Well done to those two young men.
Yes, it was, Carol. I think those two young men deserved a medal. 🙂
To have braved the elements for the sake of discovery and exploration, That is an amazing trial in life for sure! Beautiful photos! Especially the penguin couple 🙂 sweet!
Thanks, Andy. Yes, those two youngsters were very dedicated, for sure.