First Carbon-Neutral Polar Voyages Announced
We're very proud to announce that our long-term polar voyage partners Quark Expeditions are now offering carbon neutral Antarctic voyages, the first vessel operator to do so in polar travel history. Quark will be offsetting the emissions of their newest ship, the Ocean Diamond, with select hydro, wind power and reforestation CarbonNeutral® projects around the world.
Although of course there is almost always an environmental price to pay for travel, it remains one of life’s ultimate experiences and can also bring tremendous good to the world. Here at Discover the World we believe it's about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and yet not losing the ability to open minds through new experiences and shared understanding. As Hans Lagerweij, president of Quark Expeditions, explains “by operating the Ocean Diamond Antarctica voyages as carbon-neutral, we show it’s possible to visit incredible places and preserve them for future generations.”
The Ocean Diamond's inaugural voyage departs on 3 November 2012, on a memorable itinerary taking in the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands & South Georgia. And if you want to be among the first to sail on a ground-breaking carbon-neutral voyage then why not join this or any of our other Ocean Diamond 2012/13 season voyages - book by 30 April and SAVE 25%
Posted on April 18, 2012 in Antarctica , Current Affairs , Environment , Science , Ships , Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
100 Years since Scott's Death - Service to Commemorate the 'Terra Nova' Expedition
Guest blog by Nikki Rickett, former Base Leader at Port Lockroy (UK Antarctic Heritage Trust), The Antarctic Peninsula:
Yesterday I had the great honour of attending a service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, commemorating 100 years since the death of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions, on the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-13. It is just incredible to think that around a century ago, this great man, together with Dr Edward Wilson, Capt Lawrence ('Titus') Oates, Lt Henry Bowers and Petty Officer Edgar Evans were struggling in the freezing cold and in incredibly difficult conditions on their return from the South Pole. I had the great privilege of standing in Scott's hut at Cape Evans just earlier this year, on 30 Jan 2012. What an incredible place - having read so much about Scott and his companions, it seemed like a dream being there. On a clear blue-sky sunshine day, the hut was remarkably dark and cool inside. It has been beautifully restored and continues to be preserved thanks to the ongoing painstaking restoration and care by the NZ Antarctic Heritage Trust. From the open tins of tea and provisions, to the newly restored packing boxes dividing the officers from the men, the multitude of instruments and bottles lining the shelves, the ancient piles of blubber, and of course Scott's bunk itself, standing there was possibly one of the most intense and surreal experiences one could imagine. It was hard to take it all in, and I could have happily spent hours absorbing it all...
The memory of being at Cape Evans is one of my most cherished, and yesterday, I revisited my time in the hut over and over again during the service, imagining the men on the ice, longing for the protection and safety of that fragile building and to see their friends again, to sit at the dining table and share stories of endurance and to lay in the warm comfort of their bunks.
Before the service St Paul's echoed with music from the State Trumpeters of the Band of the Blues and Royals, as well as the Royal Dragoon Guards Pipe and Drum Band, as the cathedral was filled with over 2,000 people, paying their respects and in remembrance of the incredible achievements and hardships endured by these courageous explorers. The hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers' had been Robert Falcon Scott's favourite, and was sung over the bodies of Wilson, Bowers and Scott when they were discovered on the 12 November 1912, after Surgeon-Commander Atkinson had read from the Burial Service and a chapter from Corinthians.
Further readings, lessons and hymns followed, with a Litany of Praise and Prayer led, amongst others, by Princess Anne (Patron of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust), the Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute Prof Julian Dowdeswell, and descendants of the expedition. Perhaps however the most stirring part of the service was Sir David Attenborough's reading from Scott's last diary entry from 29 March 1912:
'We arrived within 11 miles of our One Ton Camp with fuel for one last meal and food for two days. For four days we have been unable to leave the tent - the gale howling about us. We are weak, writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last. But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the good of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for. Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for'.
Message to the Public, Robert Scott (1868-1912).
Antarctica is truly an immensely special place; a harsh but beautiful environment that has to be seen to be truly believed. Collections were made for the Royal Dragoons Regimental Association, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, and the Scott Polar Research Institute.
Posted on March 30, 2012 in Antarctica , Current Affairs , events , History , Religion | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Antarctica on the small screen: In Memory of Scott & Wild
As we commemorate the centenary of the death of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who perished on his return from the South Pole along with Oates, Bowers, Wilson and Evans, this Friday offers the chance to hear Scott’s epic story in his own words. Using a mixture of archive footage and photos, ITV’s unique documentary ‘Words of Captain Scott’ also features readings of diary extracts and letters home written by Scott, his team and his rival, Amundsen. This is a rare chance to gain a real insight into the mens’ private and emotional reactions to the dramatic events and surroundings of that unforgettable expedition.
Another moving tribute from the other side of the Antarctic Continent can be viewed on BBC2 on 22 April. ‘Antarctica’s Forgotten Hero’ tells the incredible story of Frank Wild, best known as Shackleton’s second-in-command although he also joined Antarctic expeditions with Scott and Mawson. Wild’s wish was to be buried alongside his ‘Boss’, Shackleton, but it was not until November 2011 that this wish finally came true when his ashes were tracked down and carried on the Akademik Ioffe to South Georgia, to be laid alongside the grave of Shackleton.
‘Words of Captain Scott’ airs on ITV this Friday, 30 March at 10.35pm
‘Frank Wild: Antarctica’s Forgotten Hero’ airs on BBC2 on 22 April – but if you can’t wait that long, enjoy this sneak-preview clip on BBC iplayer!
Posted on March 26, 2012 in Antarctica , Current Affairs , events , History , Science , Ships , Television , Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Tales from the Ice: An Antarctic Adventure (part 2!)
After an incredible week exploring the Great White Continent, Jo looks back on her experiences as the MS Expedition starts its journey north - back to 'civilisation'."This has certainly been an adventure to remember and we have been incredibly lucky with several days of sunshine, blue skies and calm seas... We've seen plenty of Antarctic wildlife: fluffy gentoo chicks running after their Mums for more food; minke, fin and humpback whales really close to the ship; chinstrap penguins; fur seals and weddell seals, crabeater and leopard seals sunning themselves on icebergs... We also had an amazing zodiac cruise through the icebergs, the mountains are just stunning and we visited Port Lockroy yesterday too!
Today we landed at the volcanic caldera of Deception Island, where a few brave people tested the geothermal waters - watched by some bemused gentoo penguins! There were a couple of chinstrap penguins wandering between us, the penguins have no fear of people and their innate curiosity means they usually keen to come up for a closer look at their human visitors. I even had some gentoo chicks nibbling on my wellies - very, very cute! They are hilarious to watch, we could spend hours just laughing at their antics!
We're heading back to the Drake Passage tonight but nobody really wants to head north again just yet - it's certainly been a trip of a lifetime."
Posted on February 25, 2012 in Antarctica , Client Stories , Travel , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Tales from the Ice: An Antarctic Adventure
As our very own intrepid explorer, Jo Cooper, sets sail for Antarctica, she shares with us her initial experiences in Argentina and her first day at sea. Yes, I admit it was a little cruel, timing it so that she would be spending her birthday heading out onto the world's roughest stretch of water, but we just like to call that 'character-building...!'
"Buenos Aires was fascinating; the city tour was really good and the guide was great, very informative. With only a day to explore Argentina's capital city this is a great way to get a taste of the main attractions. We visited Plaza de Mayo, the cathedral, Recoleta, and we also went to see Evita's grave, which is in a huge cemetery full of incredible tombs, like a city of the dead. My favourite part of Buenos Aires was La Boca - I loved the brightly coloured houses and shops and the stalls selling all sorts of creative wares! I ended my day in fitting fashion with an excellent Tango Show - we had a delicious meal (including the famous Argentine beef of course) and then enjoyed the dancing and singing. Their outfits were beautiful and they swung round so fast sometimes it was a total blur!
From Buenos Aires it was a short flight to Ushuaia, also known as the end of the world... Here we finally boarded the MS Expedition, ready to set off to Antarctica. The ship is really spacious and I haven't yet finished exploring it all, but after boarding we had a safety drill and then, amid great excitement, slowly left Ushuaia and headed down the Beagle Channel. Dinner was full of happy chatter as we started to get to know our fellow-passengers - and as today was my birthday I even had cake and champagne to celebrate in style!
I may have slightly regretted the champagne later though - we hit the infamous Drake Passage at around 2am but so far, although fairly rough, this hasn't been as bad as seas I experienced around Greenland! So today I had had breakfast, slept, went to a lecture on Scott and Amundsen, slept, went for lunch, slept, went for another lecture on penguins, slept and it seems that the drugs are keeping sea-sickness at bay. Maybe making me slightly drowsy though...! We're expecting another day of the same tomorrow, and then we should be approaching the South Shetland Islands the following day in preparation for our first landing in Antarctica!"
More to follow from our roving reporter soon...
Posted on February 22, 2012 in Antarctica , Client Stories , Ships , Travel , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this
Whale Watching in Antarctica
As our very own Jo Cooper heads south this week for Antarctica on board the MS Expedition, we’ve been whetting her appetite with this amazing footage of humpback whales.
Taken by one of our clients, Rosie Moed, on her own recent Antarctic voyage on the very same ship, this film perfectly captures the excitement of seeing these incredible creatures up close. Rosie travelled on our Peninsula, Falklands and South Georgia voyage in January and was lucky enough to see these early-season whales in addition to countless penguins, seals and marine birds. The reaction of the passengers on board the ship says it all!
Jo’s hoping for a similar encounter – and will be telling us all about it when she gets back!
Posted on February 13, 2012 in Antarctica , Client Stories , Ships , Travel , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Doug Allan: Filming the Frozen Planet
We’re very excited to see cameraman Doug Allan about to embark on a series of talks about his ‘life behind the lens’. Responsible for bringing the incredible sights of the polar regions into our homes, Allan is the man behind a number of ground-breaking wildlife sequences filmed for the BBC including series such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet.
Allan will be sharing a wealth of stories based on his many years of filming, photography and unique wildlife encounters, with a ‘behind the scenes’ look at how his team were able to capture rare footage such as this fantastic clip from Antarctica for Frozen Planet:
The 'Life Behind the Lens' talks kick off in Henley on 19th February, and continue around the UK throughout February and March. Tickets start from £15 and the complete list of venues and dates can be found here
Posted on February 2, 2012 in Antarctica , Arctic , Current Affairs , Film , Photography , Television , Travel , Wildlife | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
Antarctica in Pictures: The Heart of the Great Alone
Having blogged about it on more than one occasion last year, last weekend I finally made it to the excellent Heart of the Great Alone photography exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. If like me you’ve been procrastinating, click here and book your ticket today! Although many of the images are already very familiar, having seen countless reproductions in various books, brochures and magazine articles, it is an altogether different experience to see them together as a complete collection, providing a full visual narrative of what were arguably among two of the greatest journeys ever undertaken by man.
First is Ponting’s stunning record of the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-13, which details the daily lives of Scott’s men as they prepared for the race to the South Pole. The final poignant images were taken by Bowers and Wilson, having been trained by Ponting to ensure the arrival at the South Pole was captured on film. These images show Scott and his dejected men at the Pole, an amazing achievement in itself yet undermined by the presence of Amundsen’s own tent and the Norwegian flag which were waiting to greet them. The pictures taken here clearly show the five men were beaten physically, mentally and emotionally, and the tragic end to their journey seems almost inevitable from that point.
Shackleton’s Endurance expedition of 1914-16 was photographed by Frank Hurley. Whereas Ponting wanted to create artistic images to show the scale and grandeur of the Great White Continent, Hurley’s aim was to record a more practical documentary-style collection that would give the world an insight into life in the Antarctic. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t take some equally spectacular images – it would be hard not to when surrounded by such breathtaking icy landscapes. Again, to see all these photos in sequence, to watch bit by bit the destruction and final sinking of the Endurance as it was crushed by pack ice, and the deterioration of the men as they made their way to Elephant Island, really brings this incredible story to life. Sadly Hurley had to destroy a vast number of his images as the men could only carry limited equipment with them after the ship was lost; the fact that any of these incredible pictures survived at all is a miracle and a testament to the sheer determination of these men who refused to give up hope despite the bleak situation in which they found themselves.
The exhibition ends in a very fitting manner, with Scott’s last words spoken against a backdrop of the Union Jack that travelled to the South Pole and was found in the tent with the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers. Overall the exhibition is a surprisingly moving experience, and one I can’t recommend enough – and especially now, during the Centenary of Scott’s journey to the South Pole.
'The Heart of the Great Alone' exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, runs until 15 April 2012. Tickets from £7.50 per adult.
Posted on January 9, 2012 in Antarctica , culture , Current Affairs , events , History , Photography , Science , Ships , Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this
