Outside Decks of the Silver Cloud

I took the opportunity of being "confined" to the ship, on a beautiful day off Tristan da Cunha, to take some photos of the excellent Deck 8 public areas and the great serving staff.

On Pool Deck 8, looking up at Observation Deck 9

Looking down on the "windshield" of the bridge.

Tristan da Cunha

From Silversea Daily Chronicles: "Tristan da Cunha is the main island of an archipelago with the same name. The Tristan da Cunha island group is home to fewer than 300 hardy residents and is recognized as the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world. Its closest neighboring landmass is the island of St. Helena some 2,430 km (over 1500 miles) away."

We were scheduled to go ashore there, and were looking forward to doing so, but the island council forbid it, fearing that their medical facilities would be unable to handle a virus outbreak if one should occur. So we compensated by cruising for several hours around the island, viewing some striking scenery along the way.

From this viewpoint the town looks like a pleasant Swiss village.

Moving to the right and pointing back to the left, we see the threatening cliffs that loom over the town on this volcanic island. The islanders had to be evacuated during a 1961 lava flow. The three photos below show some of the huge landslides that have occurred on these steep cliffs.

From the Observation Deck of the Silver Cloud we could look at the endlessly fascinating water and the albatrosses and petrels that escorted our ship.

Zodiac Driver and Silver Cloud

A couple of photos that exemplify the pleasure and grandeur of a zodiac ride offshore Inaccessible Island. 

Northern Rockhopper on Inaccessible Island

Even a rockhopper has to consider its way carefully on Inaccessible Island.

Inaccessible Island

March 12, afternoon. We anchored off Inaccessible Island, the aptly named volcanic island that is another part of the Tristan da Cunha complex. The pictures of the "coastline" show that the name is quite appropriate. However, that's only for us feeble humans -- rockhoppers and seals can manage nicely.

Rockhoppers, Geology, and a glimpse of Tristan da Cunha

A couple of photos of a Northern Rockhopper community, summer cabins, some interesting rocks, and an imposing Tristan da Cunha in the distance.

The rope at the top of the photo descends from "summer cabins" like those below.

Zodiac Rides with Kelp

Around Nightingale Island

Nightingale Island Cave and Colors

Nightingale Island Rock Art

March 12. Nightingale Island is another in the Tristan da Cunha complex of volcanic islands, close to our overnight anchor on St. Helena. Another colorful abstract expressionist exhibit, with even more inviting caves.