South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Favorites

  The Endurance
by MikeAtSea
 
  • The Endurance
      The Endurance
    by MikeAtSea
  • Sir Ernest Shackleton
      Sir Ernest Shackleton
    by MikeAtSea
  • Postage Stamps
      Postage Stamps
    by MikeAtSea
  •   Favorites
    by Ian_Bevan
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Postage Stamps

by MikeAtSea

It seems quiet odd to have postage stamps for a region that only accommodates a maximum of 20 or so inhabitants in summer and a handful in winter. But the post office in Grytivken sells stamps issued by South Georgia and Sandwich Islands - mail from here takes about two months to reach the rest of the world, since it is taken by patrol vessel to the Falklands and from there by Royal Air Force plane to the United Kingdom.

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Sir Ernest Shackleton

by MikeAtSea

This Irish explorer stands firm within the history of the South Georgia Islands. From 1914 to 1916 he tried to cross the Antarctic continent from the Weddell Sea, an arm of the South Atlantic Ocean, to the Ross Sea, however his ship the Endurance got stuck in the ice of Antarctica. After the crew had to abandon ship and make their way on foot, towing the life boats behind them an epic journey started. The entire crew rescued themselves onto Elephant Island a rocky outcrop of Antarctica and Shackleton crossed the rough Southern Ocean in one of the life boats to South Georgia. That they were able to cross the rough South Atlantic Ocean was one miracle, to find South Georgia was the second one. Upon their landing on South Georgia Shackleton had to cross the unchartered interior of the island, since the boat landed on the wrong side. A rescue mission collected all men left behind on Elephant...

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If you have the chance, then...

by Ian_Bevan

If you have the chance, then the best way to travel is by helicopter. Second choice is by sea, which will give you the chance to see glaciers up close. My best memory is of walking along a sandy beach in the sunshine, the temperature well below freezing, with a mountain on one side and lazing sealions at my feet.

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The Place

Reviews and photos of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands sightseeing.

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Questions and Answers

sarahwright21 profile photo

Q:  What are the sandwich islands also known as? It came up in a quiz and no-one knew the answer - I thought it was Hawaii 

leffe3 profile photo

A: 'Eighteenth-century British explorers renamed Hawaii the Sandwich Islands after the Earl of Sandwich in England, not to describe the dish made with two slices of bread. I... 

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