Bill Gates visits Antarctica

Antarctica is proving to be a draw for the rich & famous - well, at least one particularly wealthy gentleman - Mr Bill Gates.  According to reports he's presently cruising around the white continent in his own private yacht (the US$250 million 'Octopus').  I do hope that he has some wildlife experts onboard and that the crew know how to handle the world's fourth largest yacht in all that ice!  Of course Antarctica isn't just for the Microsoft Billionaires of this world - the small ships (ex-research vessels carrying around 50 passengers) are definitely the way to go.  With Antarctic historians, glaciologist, naturalists, biologists, ornithologists (the most useful kind of '-ists' infact!) onboard, and a Russian crew who have years of experience in the Arctic as well as Antarctic waters under their belts, the onboard team provide a polar experience which is second to none.  After all, who wants to gaze at all that snow and ice from inside a plush lounge - you want to be out there in the fresh air experiencing it with the salt spray from a zodiac on your face, and penguin guano in your nostrils....!