Paulet Island / Brown Bluff -- solid land and penguin poo
Our day started with a beautiful zodiac cruise around some unbelievable icebergs. The hues of blue are just spectacular! We landed on Paulet Island where several groups of juvenile Adelie Penguins patrolled the beach. It was a rocky beach, covered in pink penguin remnants, so slick and not somewhere you want to land face first. The smell was overwhelming, but the charming Adelies sported mohawks and fluffy wing puffs which made it all lighthearted. In addition, there was a small mountain literally covered in Blue-eyed Shags. Stunning landscape, but smelly and challenging! That afternoon we landed again for the first time on Antarctica proper, Brown Bluff! We took an obligatory group photo, including many of the crew, then set off in groups to explore the area. We found a Snow Petrel nest, and had many close encounters with funny Gentoo Penguins chasing each other around the beach. Seals also abounded. We had made it! We were finally in Antarctica!
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.