After lunch we prepare for our second outing to Saunders Island, the site of the first British settlement in 1765, at Falkland Island. Most of the current population of this privately owned island have spent their entire lives here!
Saunders Island is home to 4 species of penguins, however on this outing we will only see the Gentoo penguins.
While it is still a beautiful sunny day outside, looks 
can be deceptive in this part of the world. The wind has picked up and our Expedition Leader, Graham goes on a reconnaissance mission to determine if are able to go ashore safely. We can, but he makes an announcement that it will be a bumpy ride and asks anyone uneasy about it to stay behind. About 20 people do.
The zodiac ride is a lot more adventurous than this mornings and our landing is a wet one. We follow instructions carefully as the wind is rocking the boat quite a bit and we need to step into the icy cold ocean and walk ashore. Thankfully, our waterproof wellies keep us dry. Our time on ashore will be limited to 20 minutes as we need to get back to base before the wind picks up.
It is another beautiful experience with the Gentoo penguins, but this time we have to hurry back. We have got a taste for how quickly the weather can change in this part of the world, and how in tune with nature we need to be, to survive!
“Great opportunities come to all, but many don’t know they have met them. The only preparation to take advantage of them is simple fidelity to what each day brings.” A E Dunning
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