kdacharya
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 Antarctica - a dream come true, updated with correct numbers and pics | |
I had dreamt of visiting the 7th continent for the longest time, approximately 45 years and change. Following my retirement in September 2024, this dream was made real thru the help of 2 of my friends, Raj and Som. Thanks so much to the both of them. Usually, my wife does not accompany me for my wildlife trips, but I am so glad that she accompanied me to Antarctica.
How do I explain ANTARCTICA? It’s a feeling of excitement, solitude, awe, exhilaration, wonder, being one with nature, a privilege and a sense of achievement.
We were very lucky to have experienced all types of weather in the brief time that we were there, from sunny days, snow, rain, clouds, wind and some drama relating to the ever-changing conditions on the water with the potential danger of our Zodiac being crushed by the icefloes during our very first zodiac expedition when it was trapped by the constantly changing currents, wind and ice movements.
The wildlife we experienced was 3 types of penguins (gentoos adelies and chin straps), weddell and elephant seals (no, we did not get to see leopard seals), humpback whales and a variety of birds, such as the Antarctica shag, petrels, gulls, etc.
Glaciers, Icefloes and land formations were the other unique features of Antarctica, especially the tabular icefloes.
It was fun to be on the cruise ship, but the zodiac expeditions was equally or more amazing giving us the up close and personal experience of the real Antarctica.
The avian flu and the new directives of protecting the continent did have some effect on the enjoyment of the trip. I do not know if I will be able to go again, but given a chance I will most certainly gladly go.
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