Iony Island, Sea of Okhostk- Stellar Sea Lions

I've had an incredible experience today, paddling around little known Iony Island, amongst myriads of birds and Stellar sea lions. We set off NE through the fog, finding our way by compass, enjoying the thrill of sighting the island by navigation. Those expeditioners in the zodiacs made their presence known after we'd caught sight of land so didn't show us the way.

The bird life was phenomenal; little auks, guillemots, crested puffins, fulmars, harlequin ducks . . . . . I'm sure I've left some out! And the sea lion smell and noise had to be experienced to be believed. You could hear the roar and smell the odour before you caught sight of them. Hundreds and hundreds, in the water and on the shore. Any thought of landing was quickly erased; it simply wouldn't have been safe. The one-ton grandmasters were patrolling their harems, mothers were giving birth and playful and capricious teenagers were cavorting in the water around our kayaks. Some got way too close for my comfort too and the sight of teeth being bared up towards me as one surfaced a foot or so away was scarey! Fortunately they decided to go and follow a zodiac after a while. The one building on the island, high up a boulder-filled gully, looked forlorn and ramshackle. It must have been a source of comfort in a storm but a lonely one at that.

A fabulous place to visit; a wonderful place to remember.