Antarctica - TRAVEL IS NOT FORGET TO THE END OF LIFE "After living on a deserted continent, civilization seems sad, narrow, pinched, superficial and empty" - told me a familiar photographer Frank Hurley, when we sailed with him on the ship " Sir Ernest Shackleton. I can not disagree that these words sound very plausible. As an elderly woman hit the road a long distance, I knew that I would have to begin to plan ahead, to explore all possibilities and options before you buy a ticket on a ship. At one time when I considered the possibility of such a trip, I did not know that when we come back, the comments of Frank Hurley forced to look at everything very differently. Pre-planning Everyone who is planning a similar trip, may be found in the internet sea of ??information. For example, the website offers a list of the best iexplore.com seven companies, organized sightseeing cruises to the Antarctic. A ship going to the southern continent, have a limited capacity for passengers. They can take on no more than 200 people and travel is only possible from mid-November to mid-February. Gentoo penguins and their chicks after a conversation with a woman who traveled to Antarctica a year ago, I decided to book a trip to the company Abercrombie and Kent. Glowing eyes with fire contented tourists and how she described the excellent service provided by Abercrombie and Kent, have convinced me completely. Another attractive aspect was that in the tour were scheduled stop in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Book tickets in advance allowed me to save as much as $ 500. I also could not choose a very expensive cabin. During the cruise you will spend little time in the cabin. Although it turned out that my temporary shelter was very comfortable furnished and furnished. BBQ in Argentina My journey began with a trip to Santiago, Chile. Employees' Abercrombie & Kent have met those of us who came to these aircraft, and carried out in four-star Hyatt Regency. A little later, we have already enjoyed the sights of the city. The program included a visit to the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the highest point of the Ferris city. Early the next morning we were supposed to be half of the ninth at the airport to catch a flight to the Argentine city of Ushuaia. There we go up the ladder of the Explorer II »and begin our journey to Antarctica. Iceberg Splendor flight from Santiago to Ushuaia takes three and a half hours. After passing the border and customs controls, we were invited to the Argentine barbecue lamb. As an added bonus, we entertained the troupe of dancers from the provincial ballet. Dancing six young men dressed as gauchos, and six beautiful young girls, very graceful in his thin white dresses. Our next stop was the National Park Tierra del Fuego. Here grows only five species of trees and wildlife is represented only foxes, rabbits, and beavers. Falklands By evening we were already on board the Explorer II », where the first thing we were introduced to the action plan in case of emergency, that is, life jackets, boats and everything else. We made a stop in the town of Stanley. Many of the Falklands are known as a former battleground, where Britain and Argentina fought, but we were told that these places were very popular among the miners in the era of gold fever. In Stanley, we were also able to view some of the sights. I purchased the audio guide with a story, so I had the opportunity to explore these places on their own, including a visit to the Globe Tavern. This place is very fond of members of numerous research vessels calling at the city's port. There is always noisy and crowded. Falls in the Bay of Stromness After we left Port Stanley, we headed for South Georgia. Within a few hours, we reached the Antarctic Convergence (this circle line encircling Antarctica, sometimes called the polar front), Scott took the sea, where there was a noticeable temperature drop. Here we saw a lot of albatrosses, petrels, which are circling around the ship. At some distance one could observe bursts of water from the tails of dolphins. In swimming, we had the opportunity to listen to the lectures, which were very informative and eclectic. We learned a lot about whales, seals and many species of fish, about the life of penguins, Ernest Shackleton, the tectonics of platforms and continental plates, as well as on global warming. This is just a few of the things that we could find during our travels. Every day, we left the ship and transferring to an inflatable boat, which transported us to our destination where you can walk, climb any peak or just sit and watch the penguins and seals. The crew did its job quietly and confidently, helping passengers get on an inflatable boat and get out of it. The most vivid impression of an unforgettable adventure of Salisbury Plain (northern coast of South Georgia), which lies between the mouths of two glaciers that met us, "the host delegation" of the king penguins and fur seal pups. Mature individuals basking in the sun, and something reminded huge boulders. Colony of fur seals and elephant seals, penguins intermittent Gent, living in complete harmony with the giants, are located in areas Elzehul. We passed the Gulf of Stromness Bay, where Shackleton arrived, putting a valiant effort to save his team, Grounded on Elephant Island, where the old whaling station stands empty and forgotten, where we climbed the ridge to the waterfall and where the white reindeer, brought kitolovami there are still wandering in the mountains. Seldyanye whales and killer whales were moving in graceful movements, accompanying ships. Icebergs with them seem to refract the light works of some unknown sculptor. Mountain or iceberg? We also looked at the same Elephant Island where Shackleton's team remained for four months, lived in a topsy-turvy lifeboats and waited for rescue. We liked the island Desershn where spring heats the water so that many high-risk passengers can change their jackets to bathing suits and splash in the water. Good views are in the valley Lemar Chanel, with its breathtaking scenery and two mountain peaks known as Una chest. They got the name in honor of the secretary, working in an organization that now bears the name of "British Antarctic Survey." We also met and Port Lokrou, home of Weddell seals and leopard seals, penguins and Gentoo. In the end, we examined the Paradise Bay, a haven and the last stop on the continent, where many of the passengers have enjoyed the last time skating with high ice slides. The most overwhelming impression we got to see many amazing and beautiful: two penguin performing his mating dance, the leopard seal, sleeping on a slowly drifting slab of ice. We heard the melting glacier and watched the incident with a deafening roar of ice. Seen as male and female Antarctic penguins, changing places "duty" protecting the offspring. Antarctic penguin what you can expect in these places is very likely a sudden and drastic change in the weather on any day. To overcome the distance between South Georgia and Antarctica, the ship may need two full days. In this case, you can watch for seasickness while crossing the Drake Passage, which is considered the most dangerous in the world. Possible changes in the route because of weather and ice conditions. That is why the Antarctic cruise passengers are asked in advance to be patient. Here are constantly strong winds blow, bringing cold air from the mountains. You'll have to walk a lot and climb mountains, and the camcorder batteries pretty quickly sit down. Do not forget that your camera should be in a special protective carrying case. Very early in the morning little incentive for older travelers majority of our fellow travelers on this trip has already exceeded 50, but many of them were physically well prepared and showed good stamina. I was amazed when she learned that many of them have ventured on a similar trip a second time. Here are the words of one of them: "Once is enough. You simply can not come back here. " However, I think that before deciding on a similar trip, is to visit your doctor and consult him about your decision. Maybe it turns out that such a cruise would not be quite good for your health. I was amazed and delighted when I heard from the crew that recently among their passengers was a 97-year-old grandfather! The author is in the journey And finally, I sincerely hope that this huge, extraordinarily beautiful continent will remain intact. In his book, "Terra Incognita" (unknown lands), Sara Wheeler wrote: "I do not know that can compare with it. I've never felt so far away from their worries. It's like God gave me a gift, once in his life off the planet for two months and listen to very different music. " With these words can not disagree. See also: Journey to the North Pole aboard the Russian icebreaker unapproachable beauty of the Antarctic Pleasures of sea cruises from the perspective of a family vacation
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