Around 2 000 kilometres southeast of Cape Town, in the southern Indian Ocean, you’ll find Marion Island, which is one of the two Prince Edward Islands.

Discovered in 1663 by Barent Barentzoon Lam of the Dutch East India Company, it wasn’t until 100 years later that the islands were revisited, this time by a French naval officer named M. M. Marion du Fresne.

In the late 1940s, South Africa annexed and occupied the Prince Edward Islands. The UK officially transferred ownership to South Africa in 1950, making them the country’s first and only remote territory.

On it, you’ll find two meteorological stations maintained by the South African National Antarctic Programme, which are responsible for a great deal of the weather forecasts we get.

It’s also South Africa’s only Special Marine Protected Area (SMPA), where hundreds of thousands of birds and seals live undisturbed. These include Southern Elephant Seals, two species of fur seals, four penguin, and five albatross species, and several other Southern Ocean birds like petrels, gulls, and skuas.

Image: Sean Evans/ Terbodore

A team of between 10 and 12 meteorologists, technicians and researchers live permanently on Marion, with up to 80 people visiting during the summer months. The visiting teams spend just over a year on the island before they’re collected by a ship.

Image: Sean Evans/ Terbodore

Last year Terbodore Coffee Roasters received an email from marine scientist Sean Evans, who was about to head on over to the island to study and photograph the seals and birds.

Sean had the foresight to know that the only thing a researcher needs more than the perfect place to conduct and document his studies, is excellent coffee.

Image: Sean Evans/ Terbodore

Terbodore was happy to help out, making sure he was well stocked with a range of their blends, including their signature Lazy Bones, alongside their single origin coffees, to warm up the freezing cold days.

As you can see, that coffee has taken in some great views since it arrived on the island:

Other than the freezing temperatures, that looks rather enjoyable.

Those in pursuit of the perfect cuppa don’t have to venture quite as far south, and you can stock up with your own haul of Terbodore coffees via their online shop, with the goodies delivered to your door.

And, if you want to enjoy it in style, Terbodore has also partnered with Le Creuset for a superb giveaway.

Head here to find out more.