Very few expeditions sail to the South Sandwich Islands located east of South Georgia. It is uninhabited archipelago of 11
volcanic islands. In the morning we approached one of them – Saunders Island. Already from the ship I saw large colonies of
chinstrap penguins. Slopes of centrally located cone – the Mt Michael are covered by ice. The glacier is almost touching the
sea. Between the cliff and the ocean is a narrow strip of the black beach occupied by chinstrap penguins. This was the place
where our boss decided to land. I jumped to the first zodiac. On the approach to the beach I found that it won’t be easy
landing. Once on the coast we stated to jump one by one to the water. I jumped too late – old lady with limited abilities
just blocked my way out. Then I got my first wave from the back. Finally I reached the beach in thr next minute via the
other side of the zodiac. Wet, wet,wet… But backpack is opened , camera taken from the plastic bag – I started to take
pictures of Chinstraps and the coast. After the quarter boss decided to stop landings and to evacuate us due to the
increasing wind. Jump to the zodiac! Yes, sir! I jumped in. But before the other did the same I got two strong waves, and
twice felt down in the zodiac. There were 40 cm of water when we get of the shore dancing on the waves. After 10 min I was
on the ship throwing off my wet stuff. Hot shower! Oh, yes – this is not a cruise! But what a adventure!
