Toasting “The Boss”

Saturday 2 March, 2013.

Arrived Grytviken, South Georgia, this afternoon which we reached by sailing through the stunningly beautiful East Cumberland Bay. I know that that sounds like so much repetition just as I know also that we are running out of ways to describe the magnificence of the scenery down here.

Grytviken is an important stop on our itinerary for lots of reasons. It has played a hugely important part in history of Antarctica particularly during the Heroic Age. Most of us have been reading descriptions of this former whaling station and looking at pictures of it ever since we first became interested in Antarctica. None of those descriptions and none of those photographs does the place justice. It is very unique and the old rusting buildings, whale-oil tanks and ship’s hulks only add to the beauty, charm and overwhelming sense of history it exudes.

And of course, Grytviken is where Sir Ernest Shackleton died and is now buried. And it was to his graveside we headed immediately we set foot ashore. This part of our trip was as much pilgrimage as holiday. Standing at the grave, we toasted ”The Boss”, one of the greatest heroes of Antarctic exploration with a glass of scotch we had each brought along for the occasion. And in keeping with tradition, we each saved our last dram for the man himself by emptying our glasses over his grave. We also remembered one of his staunchest comerades, Frank Wild, who’s remains are also buried in Grytviken graveyard, and all the great explorers of the Great White Continent.