Sunrising over the land and ice shelves of Antarctica. The colours and sounds are awesome! Spent the morning zodiac cruising Foyn Harbour, between Nansen and Enterprise Islands in Wilhelmina Bay 64'33' latitude south.
Saw many artifacts from whaling expeditions. Unfortunately there is a long history of whale, seal and even penguin hunters in these waters. Some of the descriptions sound inhumane. Explorers who have met with grueling adventure or death are among the tales told in Antarctica. Islands, bays, waters are named for past royalty, explorers and whalers.
Saw our first Minke and Humpback whales. Wow!!
Our first continent landing was made in the afternoon in Neko Harbour on the west coast of Graham Land on an inlet in Arvark Bay.
The experiences just kept getting better by the moment.
This landing was fantastic. It was a gorgeous sunny day. The Gentoo Penguins were entertaining; forget television, go for the real thing! Chicks chased parents. Gentoo were waddling up hill and sliding down on their bellies alone or together. They were paddling, porpoising, and diving in the water. They were having a great day.
Here there were chicks and adults molting. Chicks being fed. Skuas looking for krill and a Weddell seal laying on the shore.
We listened to the silence and sounds of Antarctica. The "thunder" of Antarctica are glaciers calving and snow avalanches.
It was easier to comprehend the thickness of untouched snow and ice shelves by seeing the crevasses.
A person could never take too many pictures here!!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.