Blog
Lest we forget
There is always so much to ponder regarding Armistice Day. When I suggest speaking about the Anglo-Zulu War, folks often challenge me regarding the "glorification of war"? Rest assured, there is nothing glorious about war, in my opinion. Instead I believe there are...
Rerouting along the Garden Route
The Cape Garden Route is justifiably reknown all over the world, and our trip there this week reaffirmed her worthy reputation. Despite recent flood damage in many places, the countryside is looking beautiful. A very dear friend with terminal pancreatic cancer asked...
Last quarter of 2023
After two utterly magical trips to the Arctic this season, it could be argued that the weather there was better than this year’s Cape winter? Dramatic rain and winds have created havoc, tested homes’ rooves and seen some communities stranded on account of damaged...
North Western Greenland
After the extraordinary trip in July with A&K, to Norway, Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Scoresby Sound in Greenland and Iceland, awakening a deep interest to know more about the Arctic and its history.The past month has found me fortunate enough to be with EYOS expeditions...
Polar Bears
I am back in the Arctic; this time on the west coast of Greenland and Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. We are hoping to get up towards 80 degrees alongside Ellesmere Island, from whence so many early North Pole attempts originated.We have onboard a local Inuit,...
Greenland & Iceland
At sea off Greenland ~ 28 July 2023" People, perhaps, still exist who believe that it is of no importance to explore the unknown Polar regions. This, of course, shows ignorance. It is hardly necessary to mention here of what scientific importance it is that these...
Scoresby Sound ~ 27 July 2023
The plan today was to visit ITTOQQORTOOMIT, one of the youngest towns in Greenland. Scoresbysund is the Danish name, named after English whaler, William Scoresby, who first mapped the region in 1922. Home to around 500 people, and the largest permanent settlement in...
In Greenland ice pack ~ Wednesday 26 July 2023
Overnight we travelled from Jan Mayen to East Greenland, with the intention of cruising along the ice edge, hoping for Polar Bears and other marine wildlife. A slightly later start to the day as we moved our clocks back one hour last evening. Anna-Lena Ekeblad from...
Expedition day ~ 25 July 2023
"Every traveller knows the intense satisfaction and thrill such a moment brings; the joy of getting a first hazy view of wide new territory to be explored is not less than, and may often surpass, the joy of exploration itself" - Nino Tinbergen, Dutch Biologist,...
Sea day ~ Monday, 24 July 2023
"He is truly wise who's travelled far and knows the ways of the world. He who has travelled can tell what spirit governs the men he meets" - A viking saying.After the incredible past 4 days on Svalbard, most guests are somewhat weary, so a day at sea is most...
Days exploring the Arctic region
Kings Bay and 14th July Bay ~ Saturday, 22 July 2023Early today Le Boreal came alongside the tiny quay at Ny Alesund (New York), so named as the early coal mining was begun by a New York businessman. It is situated in Kongsfjorden (Kings Fjord) and most English...
Expeditioning at the top of the world
Friday, 21 July 2023"You are one with your skis and Nature. This is something that developes not only in the body but the soul as well, and it has a deeper meaning for a people than most of us perceive "- Fridtjof Nansen - Norwegian Polymath, Explorer, and a man whose...
Southern days are lengthening
The Cape winter nights are long, so we are delighted the Winter Solstice indicates the days are lengthening again. Rains this year over much of the country have been fantastic. The Karoo probably looking better than she has done in 50 years, and the Western Cape is...
Four Years From Falling
May 4 in 2019 found me in Matatiele, after a magnificent 5-day motorbike ride through the high passes and beautiful country of the Eastern Cape, with 9 friends. Most of the group departed for home the previous evening - their bikes on trailers. The R56 from Matatiele...
Those little white voices
Visiting Shackleton's grave again 5 days ago reminded me powerfully of just how the allure of the South never waned for men like he, Wild, Joyce, Macklin and many others.After my spectacular two months with A&K, I flew home for 19 Days in February. Home now being...
End of Antarctic journey
The last day of an extraordinary voyage such as this has been is always filled with mixed emotions. Guests are packing their bags to fly onwards from Ushuaia, despite a rolling sea for the morning. Paul Carter gave us our disembarkation briefing, between lectures by...
Leaving Antarctica
Fournier Bay and Danco Island ~ 29th January 2023 After last evening's blog had been completed, whales were found in Wilhelmina Bay, treating guests to a feast of feeding behaviours very close to the ship. Our ship eased into Fournier Bay this morning, seeking a...
Antarctic reflections
Port Charcot and Lemaire Channel ~ 27th January 2023 Today, thankfully, worked out exactly as planned! During the morning guests enjoyed a Zodiac tour in the Argentine Islands, named by Charcot in recognition of the support rendered by Argentina to his expedition...
South of Antarctic Circle
Debenham and Stonington Islands ~ 25th January 2023 Our intended landing today was to be at Red Rock Ridge, originally named on account of the reddish coloured ridge. Two factors prevented our doing so - tremendous swell at the marina and much ice along the landing...
Antarctica, Discovery: Beyond the Antarctic Circle January 20 – February 1, 2023
Ushuaia and Beagle Channel ~ 20th January 2023 The dawn has finally broken on the day many guests have dreamed about for years - going to Antarctica. For some, this voyage has been postponed twice due to the Covid pandemic. In true A&K style, our stay in Buenos...
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