Keep your seat-belts buckled - we are still sailing SOUTH!
Skiing the peninsulaToday's land excursions take us to Orne Harbor and Wilhelmina Bay. The skiers make landing in Orne Harbor, gear up and skin up a ridge line to the top of a small mountain. We can't believe it, but we watch as Gentoo Penguins waddle up the mountainside, making nests at the top of the ridge where the rock is exposed. They prefer to build their nests in these conditions, on more solid ground. We strip off our climbing skins and watch as each skier descends the mountain. When it's my turn, I drop in and make my way down. The snow is a bit heavy as the weather has been warm the past few days. Toward the end of my descent, I make a turn and hear a strange "pop" in my left knee. I immediately know something is wrong. Our expert Kiwi ski guides, Paul Aubrey & Sean Brooks, are by my side in a flash. Knee injuries are not to be underestimated when it comes to skiing, so I hobble off to the zodiac with Paul and head back to the ship. The doctor on board suggests no more skiing for me and I know he's right. At the time, we decide it might be a meniscus tear, but I find out when I return home that I tore the ACL, requiring surgery in a few months. Warning to all Antarctica travelers: BUY GOOD TRIP INSURANCE AND DO NOT SKIMP! It may seem expensive at the time, but it's worth every single penny when something goes wrong.
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.
