In the morning our ship was drifting few hours at the bottom of the high cliff – near Entrecousteau Point. Helicopter was taking to the coast people and the supply to the little shelter ashore. The top of the cliff they call Grand Balcony. Endemic albatrosses are nesting there. Access is restricted to the scientists so we only enjoyed the view of the high cliff and birds flying around. Every second day in the Martin de Vivies base they launch meteo transmitter attached to the balloon. It is flying 25 kms up and sending accurate data about the temperature, winds etc. We assisted such a ceremony. Then a visit in the post office is obligatory for the postcards and stamps, the shop for the souvenir T-shirts. On the outskirts of the base we found little chapel of the Our Lady of the Ocean – very quiet place. In the afternoon we were ready for the next walk along the shore when the guide received via walkie-talkie the bad news: we have a seriously sick member of the crew on board who needs to be in the hospital as soon as possible (that’s what they say). Captain decided to shorten our stay in Amsterdam by one day and to depart immediately. Nearest hospital is four days and four nights of sailing away. “Miraculously” all the supply we brought to the Amsterdam Island Base is already delivered ashore. Before sunset we left Amsterdam Island behind.
