On 21-Nov-2007, I set foot on Antarctica at Portal Point at 61-30 S - 61-46 W. What an amazing feeling it was when I first set foot on to Antarctica. I can only compare the moment to how Neil Armstrong must have felt when he set foot on the moon. Though I could not muster up any profound statements to mark this occasion, I just sat in the snow and freezing 20° F temperature with a smile on my face as big as a little kid who has free access to a candy store, and gave thanks to the Big Guy upstairs. After a few hours on land we boarded the zodiacs for a cruise around the bay and it was there that I saw my first penguins.
Late afternoon we made another continental landing and hiked up to the top of a glacier to see penguins. That evening, while sitting in the observation deck on the ship reflecting on the day’s events, I just smiled and gave thanks. I am now a member of a very small group of people (less then 200,000) who have ever set foot on 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.