As I walk up the flight of stairs to breakfast, the pressure has lessened. It somehow seems easier to walk in a zigzag pattern to my seat. Clanging of dishes can be heard as the boat takes a dip toward the sun already high in the eastern sky. Only four hours or less of night makes the sun rise ahead of even an early riser.
As of 0030 this morning, I am in the Antarctic Sea!!! Birds still follow, but not as many as before.
People are getting to know each other and laughter can be heard along with the clashing of silverware. It’s quite something to see tea sloughing for no apparent reason except for the tipping of the boat. I continue to study the art of the waiters and still don't know how they manage to serve on such uneven ground.
I am not quite sure why babies find comfort in the rocking back and forth motion. Maybe it is more of a steady rhythm than that of the sea which continues to shove and yank the boat. The ocean has triumphed over a few travelers who haven't been out of their cabins since yesterday. Poor Cedee...he's sick, but is still out and about. He's part of a group from Hong Kong filming a documentary on Antarctica. I guess two of the guys are famous, one an actor and the other a musician. They broadcast a show call “One Earth, One Life” and several have traveled all over the world. An innovative group, I love talking to them. Anyways, they all decided NOT to take any type of seasickness medications, and then proceeded to take bets on who would throw up first. Cedee lost. Beads of sweat on his forehead, he looked miserable behind the video camera. I’m grateful I took medicine and can enjoy the beauty of the water.
The ocean...
Cool, refreshing, full of life with shades of blue
Azure, cobalt, sapphire, indigo
Powerful, strong and unpredictable
Water...deep clear blue water..icy blue
Nothing around for miles...nothing but water
It's a desert.
It's seems like a contradiction, a barren desert of water? Poles apart from the stereotypical, but I fully agree with this term. How can you not? I look out and see nothing…nothing in any direction but water…water all the way to the horizon.
Its late now...11:13pm and still it is only the beginning of twilight. Half of the group from Hong Kong are being dropped off on one of the South Shetland Islands near Maxwell Bay, where they will stay at the Great Wall Chinese base. Yes that is right...there is land! Through the haze are ice-capped snow covered islands. I love land.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
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
4 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.