The more interesting things happen, the more I want to share on the blog--but the less time I have to spend on the computer! Yes, I'm way behind on documenting all the fascinating developments of the past week. But I pledge to share all the good stuff in time.
The Penguin.
Rejoice: I have seen my first Antarctic penguin! The experience was a bit different than anticipated, because this penguin was neither cute nor cuddly. Nay, it was a 100-year-old carcass of mummified blubber.
(The penguin is in the middle--on the left is a mummified seal)
It seems the early explorers had a taste for penguin and seal in addition to biscuits and dog food. (Or more likely, they turned their furry friends into heating oil.) These leftovers are preserved for time immemorial in Scott's Discovery Hut. It was built in 1901 while Scott, his men, and their ship Discovery were stuck in the ice all winter. The men preferred to live aboard the stranded ship, but used the hut for storage and theatrical productions. The hut was later used by Shackleton, and Scott returned on his successful but fatal Pole attempt.
Discovery Hut in relation to McMurdo and Obs Hill (on the right):
Supplies and clothing left in the hut:
"CAPT SCOTT'S ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1910"
Toasting to the early explorers,
pepe
1 comment:
Some awesome pictures...its a bit eerie that this hut is so close to McMurdo (or is it that McMurdo is so close to the hut?)...
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