Antartica - South Georgia - Jan 2020
If Antarctica were music it would be Mozart. Art, and it would be Michelangelo. Literature and it would be Shakespeare. And yet it is something even greater; the only place on earth that is still as it should be. May we never tame it.
-Andrew Denton
Dear Friends and Family,
Over the New Year holidays, we embarked on an 18-night voyage to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica. The sojourn was a year in the planning, including much internet research and many visits to our friends at REI. After becoming experts on Merino wool and seasickness remedies we were finally ready to head south.
We traveled to Ushuaia, marking the southern tip of Argentina, via an overnight in Buenos Aires. Micheal, Yuka and Michele and I boarded the Silver Sea explorer with another 130 intrepid passengers for the trip of a lifetime.
On board we could not have been treated nicer by all of the expedition staff including the waiters, housekeepers, and our butler. Yes, we had a butler. There were a number of naturalists on board who gave us 360° of data about all of our upcoming destinations. There were experts in geology, history, ecology, meteorology, marine biology, ornithology, and global warming. We learned how critical it is to undertake a thorough biosecurity inspection (including meticulous scouring of our boots and clothes and bags for any seeds or other potential contaminating matter) to prevent any foreign infestation prior to any zodiac landing on these pristine shores.
We spent two days in the Falkland Islands learning about the United Kingdom’s ongoing conflict with nearby Argentina. Then three magical days in South Georgia Island highlighted by experiencing a rookery of 150,000 pairs of King Penguins on Saint Andrews Beach. This was awesome. The penguins combined with the seals and birds gave us a taste of what life could be like if humans didn't intervene. Epic!!!
Finally, we spent five days in Antarctica proper, mainly on the Antarctic peninsula. We learned about Shackleton's 1914 failed but dramatic attempt to reach the South Pole on the Endurance. We visited Elephant Island, where against all odds, Shackelton commandeered a rescue mission to reach the 22 men stranded on Cape Wild for 4 months. Not one sole perished.
From the ship’s decks, we were treated to amazing vistas of pristine glaciers and large tabular icebergs. We delighted in rafts of jumping penguins, fluking humpbacks, breaching dolphins, and pods of more than 20 playful Orca (killer) whales. There was serious excitement in identifying more than 50 species of birds. Whoever thought we could venture into “bird-nerd-om”?
We (even Michele went for it!!!) survived the “Polar Plunge” into the 29 degrees Antarctic Sea and the sojourn across drakes passage (only mildly turbulent seas). We arrived safely back on the South American mainland, feeling refreshed and renewed after having visited a part of the world few persons are treated to.
While away we celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah (lit the menorah), Micheal’s 34th birthday, and ushered in a beautiful New Year. We made many new friends from around the planet. We got a few ideas of where to travel next (Madagascar and Papua New Guinea). Mostly we were awed by everything we saw and experienced. So grateful and blessed for the opportunity.
Take a look. . .
Musical slideshow here
Photos here
Website ( http://www.sloyer.com) here
Yuka, Michael, Michele, and Alan
Read More-Andrew Denton
Dear Friends and Family,
Over the New Year holidays, we embarked on an 18-night voyage to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica. The sojourn was a year in the planning, including much internet research and many visits to our friends at REI. After becoming experts on Merino wool and seasickness remedies we were finally ready to head south.
We traveled to Ushuaia, marking the southern tip of Argentina, via an overnight in Buenos Aires. Micheal, Yuka and Michele and I boarded the Silver Sea explorer with another 130 intrepid passengers for the trip of a lifetime.
On board we could not have been treated nicer by all of the expedition staff including the waiters, housekeepers, and our butler. Yes, we had a butler. There were a number of naturalists on board who gave us 360° of data about all of our upcoming destinations. There were experts in geology, history, ecology, meteorology, marine biology, ornithology, and global warming. We learned how critical it is to undertake a thorough biosecurity inspection (including meticulous scouring of our boots and clothes and bags for any seeds or other potential contaminating matter) to prevent any foreign infestation prior to any zodiac landing on these pristine shores.
We spent two days in the Falkland Islands learning about the United Kingdom’s ongoing conflict with nearby Argentina. Then three magical days in South Georgia Island highlighted by experiencing a rookery of 150,000 pairs of King Penguins on Saint Andrews Beach. This was awesome. The penguins combined with the seals and birds gave us a taste of what life could be like if humans didn't intervene. Epic!!!
Finally, we spent five days in Antarctica proper, mainly on the Antarctic peninsula. We learned about Shackleton's 1914 failed but dramatic attempt to reach the South Pole on the Endurance. We visited Elephant Island, where against all odds, Shackelton commandeered a rescue mission to reach the 22 men stranded on Cape Wild for 4 months. Not one sole perished.
From the ship’s decks, we were treated to amazing vistas of pristine glaciers and large tabular icebergs. We delighted in rafts of jumping penguins, fluking humpbacks, breaching dolphins, and pods of more than 20 playful Orca (killer) whales. There was serious excitement in identifying more than 50 species of birds. Whoever thought we could venture into “bird-nerd-om”?
We (even Michele went for it!!!) survived the “Polar Plunge” into the 29 degrees Antarctic Sea and the sojourn across drakes passage (only mildly turbulent seas). We arrived safely back on the South American mainland, feeling refreshed and renewed after having visited a part of the world few persons are treated to.
While away we celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah (lit the menorah), Micheal’s 34th birthday, and ushered in a beautiful New Year. We made many new friends from around the planet. We got a few ideas of where to travel next (Madagascar and Papua New Guinea). Mostly we were awed by everything we saw and experienced. So grateful and blessed for the opportunity.
Take a look. . .
Musical slideshow here
Photos here
Website ( http://www.sloyer.com) here
Yuka, Michael, Michele, and Alan
