It’s another milestone destination for Nordhavn 63 Ithaka which just arrived to South Georgia, a remote territory in the south Atlantic Ocean. Owners Ann and Andy Evans arrived Monday night after a six-day passage which originated in the Falkland Islands.“Twelve yachts have come to South Georgia this year,” said Ann Evans. “We are the only motor yacht. Yeah, Nordhavn!”

South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands lie approximately 2,000 nm north of Antarctica and are a popular spot for Antarctica-bound cruise ships. But, says Ann, “There’s just nothing like the experience of coming here on your own.”

“The experience, and the opportunity to participate and to immerse oneself in the culture and environment is completely different when you travel on your own vessel. The cruise ship does exactly that—cruises through. So, the Nordhavn experience is not just flexibility and visiting places. It actually enables you to participate in the experience in a way that no tour or expedition allows.”

Ann’s full report to PAE staff about Ithaka’s time in Grytviken, South Georgia, is below:

Tuesday, March 9, 2016
We arrived at Grytviken yesterday. The winds were whipping about at 30 to 40 knots as we docked. Three king penguins stood at attention as we tied up, and then marched away in single file. They’re are so funny! Hundreds of fur seals here.

We used a bit more fuel getting here than we anticipated, but all is good. We are eliminating a few destinations to the south to cut back on the miles.

We dived on the boat this morning to double check the set screws in the stern tube, and it is as it should be 🙂

12 yachts have come to South G. this year. We are the only motor yacht. Yeah Nordhavn!

Tonight we are anchored in a very small cove, surrounding by high ridges. Fur seals and a few penguins on the beach. Tomorrow we will climb up and over to the next cove to hang out with the only Macaroni Penguin colony on the island. We should have a great shot of the boat in the cove.

If I were to do this over (and I just may!), I would come with a fuel bladder in order to spend more time here. It’s so amazing.

It’s ironic that my older brother is here in South Georgia at the same time, on a very ritzy cruise ship which is relatively small…125 passengers. But there’s just nothing like the experience of coming here on your own.

Not only the accomplishment. But, today we hung out with the Grytviken staff sitting in the sun and having tea and cookies. We will return to Grytviken to help them do the 3rd seal pup weighing on Sunday. Four years ago, 5 pups were born in the base area in Grytviken. This year there were 55 pups born. They weigh them to see how they are developing.

Tonight we are in a cove that only has enough room for one yacht. The fur seals are playing in the small surf, and you hear the mothers and pups calling one another. The gentoo penguins, which have a colony up the hill by a lake, are marching up a trail and over the hill. Time to go home for the night.

The experience, and the opportunity to participate and to immerse oneself in the culture and environment is completely different when you travel on your own vessel. The cruise ship does exactly that—cruises through. So, the Nordhavn experience is not just flexibility and visiting places. It actually enables you to participate in the experience in a way that no tour or expedition allows.

Said PAE Vice President Jim Leishman: “We’re all really proud of Ann and Andy. It’s not only an accomplishment to figure out a plan, but to have the ambition and courage to pursue the adventure – and then achieve it – is extremely admirable. They have done something they’ll never forget.”

The Evans reached cruising royalty status earlier this year when they doubled around Cape Horn becoming the third Nordhavn to do so.