Zodiac cruisingI wake up to a winter wonderland. More than a foot of heavy powder has fallen on every surface of the ship. This bodes well for us skiers as we plan on making our first ascent tomorrow. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, fruit and anything else delicious that I can shove in my mouth, we learn that we will be making our first Antarctica landing today! The skiers meet in the lounge to discuss our first foray into the great white. We make sure we have all of our gear readied and wait with baited breath as the One Ocean Navigator pulls closer to shore. Then, we walk down the gang plank to where the zodiac awaits, full of our skis, poles and backpacks. We zip across the open water and pull the zodiac up on the ice. Everyone unpacks the zodiac and lays their gear out, going through the familiar backcountry skier routine of getting ready. We skin up to the top of a small mountain, dig a snow pit and assess snow stability. Everything looks good to go, so we make a few turns and ski down to where we left the zodiac. A few chinstrap penguins are inspecting our belongings at the landing site, wondering what the harnesses and ropes are. We make another lap or two and then we have to leave the ice to return to the ship for dinner. Life goal #714: (ski in Antarctica) is complete!
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.
