This daily announcement brought pangs of jealousy to 95% of the passengers on our cruise, but for the lucky 5% who got to be a part of the special little clique than everyone else on board envied, it brought spikes of excitement and anticipation.
Kayaking in Antarctica is expensive - but it turns out it is worth every penny!
During our time in Antarctica, we were able to kayak for about half of our landings. Sure, there were days at the beginning when it was rough, and wet and cold
But then there were days like this
and they made it all worthwhile!
The second half of our trip was met by smooth seas and fantastic kayaking conditions. The water was like glass and the quiet of Antarctica is amazing. To hear literally nothing but the sound of your paddle hitting the water is so unreal. Then, all of a sudden, as you're making your way through the iceberg graveyard, you hear intense thunder rumbling all around you. As you search the sky for the storm rolling in, your guide informs you that it is just the sound of a glacier calving!
While everyone else was out exploring by zodiac, we had harbors and bays all to ourselves. We watched penguins try to hop up on icebergs and splash in the water all around us
and had contests to see who could hit the most "bergy bits" while making our way through Paradise Harbour
We usually stuck together as a team,
but we also had the chance to spread out on our own and just sit and take in Antarctica in a truly special way
Kayaking gave us the chance to encounter wildlife more closely than the rest of the people on the ship. We got up close and personal with seals (read more about this in my next blog)
and with whales.
Our last outing was unbelivable. The water was like glass and you could hear nothing but silence in every direction. Then, after the rumble of another glacier calving, you'd hear the sound of a whale breathing. We'd set off in the direction of the noise to find a humpback mother and calf logging (sleeping at the surface of the water).
We were able to get right up next to them - so close that we could actually smell their breath every time they exhaled! We just sat there watching them and listening to the breathe.
As they woke up and moved on, we would listen for another pair and set off to watch them for a while
It was such an amazing experience!
If you are going to Antarctica, and you have a chance to sign up for kayaking, do not miss out on this phenomenal opportunity!
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.