The results are out, revealing the winners of Travel Photographer of the Year 2019.
The awards were judged by an
international panel of imaging experts which included Panamanian double
Pulitzer Prize-winner Essdras M Suarez and Lawrence Jackson, a former official
White House photographer under the Obama Administration.
Travel Photographer of the
Year co-founder Chris Coe said: “Judging these awards, whilst arduous with so
many excellent images to choose from, is always a joy and it is both
exhilarating and stimulating to see the wealth of creativity evident from
around the world. This year’s winning entries are outstanding in all
categories, elegant and sometimes thought-provoking and gritty. The portfolio
from the overall winner Katy Gomez Catalina is beautiful, sensitive and
diverse. Only the second-ever female overall winner of Travel Photographer of
the Year, Katy is an amateur photographer and a very, very worthy winner.”
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil A lonely tree survives the elements among the sand dunes. This image was shot from a light plane with the doors off. D850, Nikon 70-200mm, f8, 1/1250, 400
Winner’s Biography
When it comes to photography and travel, few can rival Ignacio Palacios’ experience, skill, and passion. A third-generation photographer, Ignacio has been honoured with over 100 prestigious photography prizes and awards from around the world and has travelled to over 90 countries in his 22 years career. Born in Spain, Ignacio now calls Sydney Australia home – through his unmistakable Spanish spirit continues to influence his work and define his signature style. Combining his love of travel and photography has proved a powerful combination, and today Ignacio leads photography tours to incredible destinations around the world. As an AIPP double Master of Photography, Ignacio shares his insight, experience, and technique with his clients to help them find their own success and joy on their photographic journey.
Ignacio’s distinct, award-winning style can be defined by his mastery of composition, colour, and light. With his minimalistic style and unique ability to connect with his audience through storytelling. Through his images, Ignacio invites his audience to experience the subject not as how he captured, but how he experienced it, evoking an emotional connection between the viewer, subject and artist. Photography and travel will always be Ignacio’s passion, and he is dedicated to helping others ignite their passion too.
Runner up: David Alpert
Aegean Sea, Island of Skiathos, Greece My son and two of his friends decided to do a bit of free diving. I set them a task and enjoyed the youthful banter as they set about trying to co-ordinate their efforts. It was amazing the good time we had – doing something so simple – no gadgets, electronics or high value spend. Just fun… Canon 5D Mkiii, Sigma 15mm fisheye, f/8, 1/1600sec, ISO-1600
Highly Commended: Paul McKenzie
Lake Logipi, Kenya I made this image from a light aircraft with the doors removed on one side. It shows a huge grouping of Flamingos standing and feeding in the shallow water lake. Canon 1DX MK 2, 100-400mm lens, f5, 1/8000s, ISO 200
Highly Commended: Nicola Young
Inle Lake, Nyaungshwe, Burma I took this shot from a boat and was fascinated at that moment of attention five Intha fishermen were paying to their task, surrounded by the beauty of the lake. Nikon D600, 150mm lens, f6.3, 1/2500s, ISO 200
Unlike most other wildlife
destinations, in The Galapagos has few migratory species, so the same animals can be seen all year round
and being on the equator, the weather is more than pleasant throughout the year.
But the
truly astounding thing about the Galapagos is the human connection with
wildlife. Evolving without seeing man as a predator, the wildlife have little
fear of humans. This leads to closer, more intimate wildlife encounters and
endless photo opportunities.
Although there is never a bad
time to visit the Galapagos, animal behaviour varies according to the season so
if there is a particular wildlife spectacle you’d like to witness, it’s best to
pick your time accordingly.
The two long, yet distinct seasons in The Galapagos are the warm/wet season and the cold/dry season.
The warm, wet season (Late December to June)
The warm and wet season stretches from Late December to June, with March and April usually being the hottest and wettest months. The trade winds fall and the air temperature rises.
The rising warm air results in daily
afternoon showers. Which can be most welcome as the temperature regularly
reaches 30oC and above.
The water temperature is warmer and
the sea tends to be calmer, making this an ideal time for snorkelling where a
rich variety of exciting marine life can be seen all year round.
The start of the year is when the
turtles lay their eggs. As a result, December to March is considered to be one
of the best times to visit.
For bird lovers, February to May is
packed with mating rituals and new birth for the many species of impressive
birds.
If you want to see albatrosses, late
March to early April should give you a good chance of seeing their spectacular
courtship ritual.
Another natural spectacle on the Galapagos is the famous courtship dance of the Blue Footed Boobie, which happens in May and makes a truly unforgettable sight.
The cool, dry season (Late June to December)
The cool season runs from late June to December, when you can expect it to be relatively cool and dry with more overcast skies and occasional drizzle or mist.
August is the coolest month. But to put The Galapagos ‘chilly’ weather into perspective, you can expect day-time temperatures to range from 19-26 oC
In the cool season, the sea comes
into its own. The annual plankton bloom makes it an ideal choice for divers. If
you are hardy enough to take on the lower water temperatures, you’re likely to
be treated to an impressive underwater display including sea lions, penguins,
whale sharks and diving sea birds.
This annual plankton bloom also
attract whales. Between June and September there are possible sightings of all
kinds of whales including blues whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, orca and
of course you can always expect to be joined by the occasional pod of playful
dolphins
Because the temperature is not too
hot during this season, it is also the breeding period for many sea birds and shore
birds, marine iguanas, sea lions and fur seals.
In August the unbelievably cute baby
sea lions are born November sees the young sea lions take to the water for the
first time and swimming with these playful, inquisitive animals is a true
delight.
Visit The Galapagos In Your Own Way
We have vessels the Galapagos, ranging from as small as 12 passengers right up to 200. But rest assured, which ever ship you choose, you will always be accompanied by an experienced and qualified guide.
Whether you want to enjoy a truly memorable family adventure or a wildlife holiday with other adults, we can find the perfect Galapagos cruise for you.
Now you have a few ideas of what time to go and what to see, feel free to give us a call and chat through your plans. Our travel experts will be happy to give you a few pointers or suggestions to help get the most out of your Galapagos adventutre.
Michael Gardiner, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Wildfoot Travel explains how you can decide whether an animal attraction or experience is operating in an ethical and responsible manner.
As a travel provider, at Wildfoot Travel we have a duty to enlighten and educate our clients. To help them understand the importance of supporting and encouraging fair animal attractions and experiences.
The travel industry has been working hard to combat animal welfare for many years but there is still a huge amount of ambiguity and misunderstanding surrounding these issues. So, we’ve put together a simple set of guidelines, to help you decide whether or not to pay to visit to, or participate in, an animal attraction or experience on your next trip.
Can You Touch?
Can you physically touch the animal? Facilities which allow the touching of non-domesticated animals by the public should be viewed with extreme skepticism. Wild animals do not naturally seek out the company of humans unless conditioned to do so.
Are They Performing Tasks Or Tricks?
Is the animal required to perform tasks which are not part of their natural behaviour? Training animals to behave unnaturally can involve punishment or withholding of food.
Are the animals performing unnatural tasks? In a confined space?
Is There Enough space?
If animals are in an enclosure, does it provide significant space and
enrichment and are there areas of privacy? Size can be difficult to judge but
enclosures should offer a varied environment for the animal to interact with
while areas of privacy allow them retreat to safety if anxious or stressed.
Do they Have A Choice?
Is the animal in a position to make a choice if they want to interact or not? Even animals that have been raised in captivity and are habituated to humans can feel stressed if they are not able to leave. The best animal encounters will operate on the basis of the animal coming to the visitor if they’re interested and leaving when they’ve had enough.
Are There Set Feeding Times?
A responsible facility will have a set time at which they feed the
animals in their care. If this time is dictated, changed or supplemented to
suit visitors, the welfare of the animals is not their primary concern.
How Regularly Do The Animal Experiences Take Place?
If visitors can arrive at random times and take part in the
experience then, as with feeding times, the concerns of the guests are being
placed above those of the animal.
How Old Are The Animals?
How old is the animal concerned, particularly if it is the young of a predator species? Assuming they are otherwise in good health, young animals can be rehabilitated and released into the wild but not if they have been habituated to humans. By handling or petting a healthy juvenile you ensure its long-term captivity.
Whilst this is far from the perfect checklist, it does give you a quick-reference guide to help you identify and avoid unscrupulous operators. The same set of rules should help you discover, support and enjoy the more ethical and conscientious wildlife attractions or experiences.
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world
It is 277 miles long and, at its widest, 18 miles across.
At its narrowest point, the canyon is around 550 metres across
It is NOT the deepest or longest canyon in the world. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet plummets to a depth of 17,567 feet, making it more than 2-miles deeper than the Grand. The Tibetan canyon is also about 30 miles longer than the USA’s Grand Canyon.
An expedition in 1871 led by John Wesley Powell lead to the first reliable maps of the Colorado River being created. Powell is also responsible for coining the name we use today – the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919
The Gran Canyon is host to a vast array of wildlife. 373 species of bird call the Grand Canyon home along with 91 different mammals and 58 species of amphibians and reptiles
Three threatened species survive in the Grand Canyon. The Mexican Spotted Owl, The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo and The Desert Tortoise.
There are thought to be around 1,000 caves in the canyon, but only 335 have been recorded. Only one of these caves is open to the public – the Cave of the Domes on Horseshoe Mesa.
The Grand Canyon National Park is home to six species of rattlesnakes including the Grand Canyon Pink Rattlesnake. The most common of the rattlesnakes in the park, the snake’s striking pink colour allows it to blend in seamlessly with the canyon’s rocks.
Official records state that there has only ever been one fatal snake bite in the history of canyon.
Wildfoot Travel Ambassador Gay Walker took a long awaited trip to Africa recently, bound initially for the stunning Safari destination of Camp Moremi. Here, in our latest ‘Traveller’s Tale’, Gay give us a first hand account of her adventure along with some stunning photographs.
Thank you again for putting together a trip to Africa that was so much more than we could ever have imagined. It was the best vacation we’ve ever had (and we didn’t think we would ever top Switzerland!), and we’re already dreaming of a return. Our favorite of the safari camps was Camp Moremi, due to the setting, the fabulous camp staff, and most notably, due to our guide, Aaron. Our last evening at Moremi, we saw three leopards within 30 minutes (photographing leopards is difficult since they blend so well with their surroundings . I won’t include our sorry attempts with iPhones and a Nikon CoolPix camera. I’m sure the other couple in our vehicle did better with their fancy rented set-up). We didn’t radio in one of the leopards because it was “Grandpa” — the oldest leopard in the area. He was sound asleep on the ground in the tall grasses, and could easily have been injured if he wasn’t spotted. (He must have been deaf because he didn’t seem at all aware that we were there.) Aaron had spotted his tracks. Leopard spotting was followed by sundowners by the water, in the company of elephants, who were just far enough away to be safe.
We would have been satisfied with our day if it ended there, but it didn’t. On the way back to camp, we first passed a giraffe who gave us a picture-perfect pose in the evening light and held it long enough for us to take his photo.
Then, we saw our first wild dogs of the trip — and not just running in the distance. They were right next to our truck. First, they stood staring at something, and then they took off at a run, moving right past us. Then, we saw what had spooked them: they had been standing between a herd of elephants and the elephants’ watering hole. It was a sight to see! (No photo of the elephants, sadly. Once the dogs passed, Aaron was bouncing us along the roads at Mach speed to make it back to the camp gate by curfew. We made it, but with just about 30 seconds to spare.)
The best day of the entire trip, though, was our final day at Camp Moremi, in the few hours before we left for the Chobe Game Lodge. A pair of lions, whom the guides believed to be brothers, had killed a cape buffalo right outside the camp gate two nights before and had kept watch over their kill. One of the lions was having seconds.
We were among several vehicles watching when our guide spotted leopard tracks out of the corner of his eye. We followed them and found a female leopard hiding within 50 meters of the lion, watching and waiting. When she saw us, she used our vehicle as cover to move closer.
The drama got even better when a wild dog, intent on chasing an impala with his herd, stumbled upon the scene. He didn’t notice either the leopard (who certainly noticed him) nor the lion until he was almost on top of the lion. He yelped when he saw the lion, then abruptly changed course. There was no sign that he ever saw the leopard.
When the lion finished eating, he moved off to take a nap, and the leopard cautiously moved in. She took a few bites, then freed what looked like a piece of the liver that she ran off with before she got caught, which was probably smart, since the other lion could have returned at any time.
This last photo is us, at Victoria Falls, just after we swam in the Devil’s Pool. We’re not big selfie people, so we don’t have a lot of photos of the two of us.
In an exciting new development at Wildfoot Travel, we’ve teamed up with top photographer John Beatty, to bring you a new kind of adventure travel experience.
John is a highly accomplished professional photographer and public speaker with a life-long passion for adventure travel and wildlife. For thirty years, John has traveled to remotest corners of the world, taking stunning photographs and gathering jaw dropping stories along the way.
From the biting cold of Antarctica to the searing heat of the
Kalahari, John has documented the fascinating people and beautiful wildlife in many
of the most isolated locations on the planet.
With a particular passion for dramatic landscapes, carved and
shaped by the hand of time, John is drawn to wild places and the ferocious
extremes mother nature creates there. Places and conditions most would go out of their way
to avoid.
In the coming year, working with Wildfoot Travel, John will be leading a series of small groups on bespoke adventures to some of his favourite photographic locations round the world.
With each trip’s
itinerary carefully designed by John himself, to maximise the richness of the adventure,
they will use handpicked accommodation and methods of travel to ensure every
moment of the trip adds to the experience.
This ambitious series of adventures will launch with a trip to experience
the hidden gems of the Grand Canyon, already in planning for September 2021.
Each one of these
is the trip of a lifetime and an unrivalled opportunity to further your knowledge
and experience. Which is precisely why they will be highly sought after.
So this is your chance to be among the first few to find out about each new adventure as soon it is added to John’s list.
If you would like to receive details of these unique wildlife-travel adventures the moment they are released, contact e-mail Simon Rowland on [email protected] or call Simon on 0800 195 3385 and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as each special event is launched.
An incredible wildlife adventure taking in five continents over four months.
We have launched a brand new wildlife adventure for 2020, inspired by the legendary natural historian Sir David Attenborough.
If
you’re a fan of the iconic documentary makers’ work you’ll definitely want to
find out more about our incredible new itinerary, focusing on the fascinating
destinations and wildlife featured across the popular documentaries.
This
brand new itinerary for 2020 combines a selection of our greatest wildlife
adventures across five different continents to take in some of the most
fascinating scenery and species which have been the star of the show in
Attenborough’s recent works.
Starting
in Antarctica in February and ending in the Arctic in June, passing through
South America, Africa, and Asia along the way, this intrepid itinerary offers
the chance to see everything from pumas to polar bears, painted wolves and
penguins.
Read the full itinerary below.
Antarctica – February 2020 (14
Nights)
Our
intrepid wildlife itinerary begins in Antarctica with an epic 14-night polar
adventure in the Falklands. Our Falklands Birds and Wildlife tour takes in the remote
wilderness of the Falkland Islands, offering the opportunity to see the most
spectacular wildlife this region has to offer, including albatross, 5 different
species of penguin, seals, dolphins, orcas and a myriad of birdlife – many of
which have played a star part in Attenborough’s documentaries.
South America
Costa Rica – March 2020 (11 nights)
The
tour continues to Costa Rica with our incredible 11-night scuba diving
experience in the Coco Islands. This underwater adventure offers the chance to
explore one of the most impressive diving destinations in the world, home to
over 300 different species of fish. Other fascinating creatures to witness here
include turtles, dolphins and sailfish – all which have featured in
Attenborough’s documentaries.
Ecuador – March 2020 (9 Nights)
The
next leg of the tour is our 9-night Galapagos
adventure, which takes in the west, central and east islands. The wildlife journey
includes the opportunity to see the largest colony of marine iguanas on
Fernandina Islands, a visit to a nesting site for the flightless cormorant on
Isabela Island and pelican spotting on Rabida Island.
Argentina – March/April 2020 (11
Nights)
Next
up is Argentina, for our brand new Patagonia, Pumas and
Glaciers tour. This 11-day tour offers the chance to see pumas in the wild in the
very location where Attenborough filmed his unforgettable Seven Worlds One Planet episode. This thrilling tour also includes
a visit to Los Glaciares National Park
and a hike along the Southern Glacier.
Brazil – April 2020 (11 Nights)
Africa
Zimbabwe – April 2020 (6 Nights)
Concluding
our time in South America, we head to Brazil for our Amazon, Pantanal and Savannah
tour.
This trip offers a unique opportunity to see the maned wolf in the wild, as
well as the jaguars and anteaters which have featured in Attenborough’s
documentaries. This tour includes accommodation in eco-lodges set among the
incredible nature, as you visit each of these three fascinating areas of varied
terrain.
Our
first Africa leg of this itinerary is in Zimbabwe, where you can visit the Mana
Pools National Park which was featured in Attenborough’s Dynasties documentary. This 7-day Super Sensory Safari is a first of its kind and
provides a truly immersive safari experience, with activities specifically
designed to engage all of the senses, including a walking safari led by expert
professional guides.
Botswana – April/May 2020 (12 Nights)
The
second African safari stop is in Botswana where you can see the beauty of the
African elephants in the wild at Chobe Riverfront, home to the largest density
of African elephants. This Wild Botswana tour also visits Okavango
Delta, known as one of the best destinations in all of Africa for wildlife
lovers.
Asia
India – May/June 2020 (12 Nights)
In
Asia, take in our Wildlife Special focusing on leopards, tigers
and rhinos. This 12-night tour includes tiger viewing in two of India’s best
tiger reserves and a safari in Kaziranga Park – home to the world’s largest
population of one-horned rhinoceros.
Arctic – June 2020 (10 Nights)
This
magnificent wildlife itinerary ends in the Arctic with our Introduction to
Spitsbergen tour. This 10-night polar expedition will encounter polar bears, arctic
foxes, whales and walruses in the wild as you explore the very best of what
Spitsbergen has to offer.
This incredible 4-month itinerary taking in five different continents costs from £40,411pp. This doesn’t include transfers between countries. All internal transport within each leg of the trip, accommodation, and excursions are included as stated in each individual tour itinerary.
The dilemma we all currently face is that of our personal environmental impact when traveling.
Staying at home and going nowhere is the radical and obvious solution. But for most of us that is an extreme and unrealistic expectation. We’re only here once and we’d like to see as much of the word as we can, while we are here.
So, assuming we continue to explore, how can we what steps can we take as individuals to reduce our impact and ensure there are as many beautiful places and species for future generations to enjoy?
Traveling is an opportunity to learn more about our environment, conservation and wildlife protection and to deliver important messages from remote areas. Messages which can help raise awareness, support and funds to help protect and sustain these beautiful, places and their wildlife.
Here are just a few suggestions to help you reduce your personal impact on your adventures
Choose Your Airline Carefully
Make your choice of airline a deliberate and considered one. A little online research will give you a very good idea which ones are leading the way in environmentally sustainable travel.
Fly Direct
Fly direct where possible instead of connecting indirect services which far less efficient.
Although it is rarely the least expensive way to do things, Flying direct reduces your impact in many ways.
Stay A little longer.
Travel for a longer duration when traveling long haul, instead of flying more times.
Stay in the right places.
Choose environmentally friendly lodges and accommodation which are fully or at least partially sustainable.
Community Spirit
Make sure the accommodation you choose, is either run by the local community, or that it embraces and employs the local community.
Choose Adventures That Help
Chose adventures which have a positive impact on wildlife and local cultural population.
Research your trips carefully, and those who run them. Support those who show along term commitment to the environment and wildlife.
Show Your Support While You Are Away
Choose to support conservation and enviro-friendly projects during your stay. Re-wilding ventures, community projects, conservation movements and other schemes which support local wildlife and conservation.
Show Your Support While After You Return
Support conservation and enviro-friendly projects after you return home. Small donations, multiplied by many people can have a huge impact.
At Wildfoot Travel our team are always happy to chat to you and offer their specialist help and first-hand expertise on environmental and sustainable choices.
Wildfoot Travel ambassador and good friend, Cynthia Bressani went on a wildlife adventure in Chile recently, in search of the illusive Puma. Here Cynthia treats us to a first hand account of her experience, along with a few lovely photographsand some incredible video footage.
I left Punta Arenas, and after a lunch (spit-roasted lamb) at Cerro Negro Ranch and a sheep shearing demonstration on the way, I approached Torres del Paine National Park. My excitement mounted as the spectacular mountains came into view. The peaks were partially covered by cloud, but it was evident how high and dramatic they were.
Las Torres
Hotel
At the base of the mountains, the hotel was outstanding, consisting of a series of wooden buildings – two-storied blocks of rooms, a central bar and separate restaurant with delicious menus. I had a spacious superior room, and the all-inclusive rate, with free WiFi, meant my 4 night stay was extremely comfortable.
Puma
Encounter Programme – our Guides
I was joined
by an English couple on the programme, and we had a guide, Filipe, a driver, Josue,
and the spotter, Roberto, who always left in his own car before us to find the
puma. I found out from talking to him
that Roberto had been the puma spotter for the BBC “Seven Worlds One Planet”.
On this three-day programme into Torres del Paine National Park and Cerro Paine Reserve we set off each morning at 6am in the minibus, with our ample breakfast in a cloth bag. We stayed out until midday when we returned to the hotel for lunch. At 4pm we set off again until about 8pm. During each session Filipe took out of his rucksack a flask of hot coffee, and boxes containing slices of cake, biscuits and fruit to sustain us as we searched for or watched pumas.
Puma
Sightings
Day one
On the first morning Roberto was already on the mountain, and within the first hour, he radioed us with a sighting of a puma. In the far distance was a puma and as it moved onto the skyline, we saw its small outline – our first puma! The weather was cloudless with blue skies, giving us superb mountain photographs. We enjoyed short walks while looking at the birds and flowers.
Our afternoon excursion gave us the exciting views of a mother and two cubs. At first they were resting in trees and we watched them from above. As they moved, we too moved our position to get better views. It was difficult walking for me on the mountainside, even with my walking pole, but Filipe gave me a lot of help, (he was determined that I should not miss anything). We watched this family for three and a half hours. What a privilege!
Day 2
On the second day, again no sooner had we set off than Roberto radioed that he had found a puma. It was heading downhill to the road. Josue drove as fast as he could on the narrow road, and we arrived as the puma had crossed the road and was now crossing the river. We watched it climb up the far bank and walk into the trees. The weather again was superb. We drove further around the park, stopping frequently. We enjoyed watching grey fox, then guanacos and admired the dramatic scenery. We came across a marvellous reflection of the mountain Torres (towers) in a lake.
In the afternoon we thought we were going to be disappointed. But after two hours, under a cloudy sky, a puma was spotted sitting on a rocky ledge in bushes. We left it still sitting there.
Day 3
Day three took us to an area where, on the hillside, was a freshly killed guanaco. Not far away was a juvenile puma, looking very well fed, resting beside a rock and bushes. We left it, to drive along the road, where we found a large group of guanacos playing and chasing each other. Then hearing from Roberto that the puma was on the move, we drove to a position where we could watch it moving downhill. As it reached the road in front of us it went into a culvert under the road and then passed quickly into the trees. Here we managed a short video of the close encounter.
Our afternoon took us to a mountainside within sight of the hotel. It was a very difficult climb for me, but worth it, as eventually a puma headed downhill not too far from us, crossed the road and walked along a grassy trail beside the road.
Success on each outing. How incredible! An unforgettable experience!
A trip of a lifetime: the spectacular Greg Mortimer and Kayaking in Antarctica
Wildfoot Travel Advisor Debbie Grainger boarded an expedition cruise to Antarctica recently. Here, she gives us a first hand account of her Antarctica adventure – complete with kayaking.
I have just returned from the most amazing trip to the Antarctic peninsula. Friends and family asked me why I was so excited to be travelling to this far-away frozen planet. My answer? I loved the Arctic and all it has to offer, but people tell me daily that Antarctica is the most impressive, emotion-evoking continent you can only vaguely imagine. If you’ve been there, then you’ll know exactly what I mean – if you haven’t, then what are you waiting for? An Antarctica adventure is everything it promises to be and so much more. There wasn’t one day that I didn’t gasp in awe at the beauty, the wilderness and the wildlife.
Following a night in Buenos Aires and another in Ushuaia, our adventure really began as we stepped onboard the Greg Mortimer. My daughter, who was travelling with me, suggested at 6am on the morning of embarkation, that we go for a run from our hotel down to the port, to get our first glimpse of this much-talked about ship. So, we threw our running gear on and ran the 5km to the port and there she was. All shiny and white and sparkling in the early morning sunshine, standing in her glory against the backwash of blue skies and snowy, white mountain peaks in the background.
When we boarded later that day to begin our Antarctica adventure, we were greeted individually by a member of staff and shown to the cabin. Ours was a porthole cabin on Deck 3, which can take three passengers in either a large double bed and a single sofa bed, or two single beds plus the sofa bed. The cabin was tastefully decorated and had great storage options; with a triple wardrobe and bedside cabinets, storage under the beds, plus two more cupboards and four more drawers. There is also a desk area with a mirror, and a large smart TV where you can access the daily programme, view what the bridge can see or simply watch TV.
What I would like to focus on are the “green” credentials of the Greg Mortimer. Most people these days are aware of climate control and carbon emissions. Aurora, the company who permanently charters the Greg Mortimer, takes every opportunity to explain the fragile ecosystems you will encounter on an Antarctica adventure. Passengers are fully briefed on environmental guidelines, and the scientific reasons behind them, right at the start of the voyage. Their experienced guides demonstrate how to observe wildlife in ways that cause minimum impact. The environmental education continues on shore, as the more that these remote area specialists share their knowledge about the natural environments we encounter, the more rewarding an Antarctica adventure will be.
The Greg Mortimer gives off 80% less emissions into the air and sea with her Tier 3 engine using lower energy consumption. She has high fuel efficiency, reduced light pollution for minimal wildlife disruption, and lower on-board plastic use. Furthermore, the ship has state-of-the-art virtual anchoring technology, meaning it can hold its position using its own propellers and thrusters, while launching Zodiacs and kayaks without disturbing the sea floor. Virtual anchoring technology means no more anchors and chains dropping to the sea floor.
Water filtration is done on board, cleaning products are biodegradable and phosphate-free, and seafood is sustainably sourced and meets Marine Stewardship Council Fisheries standards. Elsewhere, the line’s sustainability record is good. In Svalbard, for example, participation in annual clean-ups has helped remove 20 tons of waste from beaches.
Kayaking
During our first day of crossing the Drake Passage, the kayakers were asked to stay behind after the IAATO guidelines talk that was given during the afternoon session. Al, the kayak team leader, ran through the list of outerwear that they provide, and the base layers they suggest you wear each day. I was surprised as to how many layers they suggested and was a bit worried that I hadn’t taken enough clothes with me. However, I needn’t have worried. The suggestion is that you wear two base layer tops and three base layer bottoms, plus two pairs of socks, a warm hat, a neck warmer, sunglasses and sunblock. I only wore two bottoms and I was warm enough, but I wore merino wool next to my skin on both upper and lower body. I really think this helped me to keep warm, as I didn’t suffer from the cold.
The following day we had another announcement, asking us to be in the mud room for 10am. We were kitted out with our drysuits and all the other equipment that we were going to need over the next few days – red and black suits for the men, and green and black for the ladies. I had expected to wear ski gloves whilst kayaking in Antarctica, so I had taken two pairs with me, plus some liner gloves so that I had at least one dry pair. However, the poggies that were supplied were fantastic. Even on the coldest days, these kept my hands lovely and warm. I did take a pair of gloves in my dry bag though, as when you went ashore, your hands got cold very quickly.
The mudroom and kayak room were to become my second home for the next six or seven days of our Antarctica adventure. They are located at the very back of the ship on Deck 3, although you access them via Deck 4 and down some steps. The mudroom has plenty of lockers where you hang your outside clothes and mud boots – you are allocated your locker by cabin number. Anyone that is going to go out on the zodiacs also uses the same mud room, so to avoid the congestion of 120 passengers all getting changed at the same time, you are called down in groups. The activities people were called first, followed by either portside or starboard for the zodiacs.
Passengers going out by zodiacs swipe their cabin card with one of the members of crew and leave the ship from one of the side openings. The opening isn’t quite level with the sea, so you have a couple of steps to descend onto a narrow, solid platform and then slide into the zodiac and off you go. It’s important to remember to wash and disinfect your boots when you get back onboard and swipe your card to say that you’re back on the ship.
For kayakers, we exit through the very back of the ship. There is a room beyond the mudroom where all the kayaks are neatly and safely tied up and stored away until they are needed. This is where you hang your drysuit, kayak skirt and PFD (personal flotation device). Your paddles and poggies (light, neoprene mitts which attach to your paddles via Velcro) are also stored here.
Tuesday November 12th was to be our first kayaking outing. That morning we had been up on deck watching Captain Oleg navigate his ship through the MacFarlane Strait, arriving into the South Shetland Islands just before lunch. Very few of the crew had sailed through this narrow strait before, so everyone was up on deck watching the ship being expertly guided.
Once we had eaten lunch, we made our way to the mudroom to force ourselves into our drysuits. We all waited rather nervously, not really knowing what we were supposed to do next, and therefore it took some time to get us all into kayaks. We watched as each kayak was lowered into the sea from the back of the ship and, individually, we made our way out of the mudroom into the kayak room.
We already knew who we were kayaking with and which kayaks we had been assigned to, so when it was our turn we grabbed our paddles and poggies and made our way down the steps and into the zodiac. Whilst we waited, the kayak was lowered over the zodiac and into the water. We then sat astride the seat, before lowering ourselves into the kayak. Now, I have never done this in open water before, so I was a bit apprehensive about falling into the freezing cold sea, but the guides hold the kayak steady for you and it’s really easy to slide yourself in. Getting the skirt on took a little bit of getting used to, as you are floating in the sea, but we soon got the hang of it and it just became second nature after a couple of goes.
Half Moon Island was our destination and I was so excited to see my first chinstrap penguins swimming and porpoising around us in the waters. There were many skuas and shags flying above our heads, but we needed to concentrate on our paddling as the sea was fairly choppy. After about 90 minutes of paddling, we made a landing on Half Moon Island. Pulling our kayaks out of the water, we went for a little stroll in the deep snow, whilst sipping our much appreciated hot chocolate and eating our cookies.
We had only been on land for about 10 minutes when Al got a message from the bridge advising that bad weather was coming in quickly, so we immediately headed back to our kayaks, put our gear back on, and started paddling back towards the ship. Unfortunately, the wind became super strong within just a few minutes of leaving the shore and the waves got higher, which made paddling extremely difficult. To make matters worse, my paddling partner became exhausted and stopped paddling. After a few minutes of struggling to paddle a double kayak alone, one of the support kayaks pulled alongside us and asked if we were OK. My partner requested that we return to the ship in his kayak so, much to my disappointment, we clambered into the zodiac from our kayak, pulled it onboard, and set off towards the ship.
Just 300 metres from the ship the zodiac broke down! Ben called for assistance from the bridge but nobody was immediately available. We were now in a snow blizzard and the other kayakers, although finding the paddling extremely tough, were at least making progress. Then the wind turned against us, pushing the zodiac and the kayakers further from the ship. As we drifted away from the ship, another zodiac came to our rescue and towed us back. As quickly as the wind got up, it dropped again, and the kayakers eventually made it back to the ship absolutely exhausted.
That evening, Al told us that this had been the toughest “first day” outing that he had experienced in 20 years of kayak guiding!
Luckily, that was the only day we experienced rough seas and wind on our Antarctic adventure. The following kayak excursions were perfect – flat seas, sometimes blue skies and sunshine, sometimes fresh snow.
Over the next few days, we kayaked around Hydrurga Rock, Portal Point – our first continental landing. Then Cuverville Island, Plenau, Paradise Harbour – our second continental landing. We had penguins swimming around our kayaks on every excursion that we went out on. At Portal Point we had a wonderful afternoon paddling as snow fell all around us. I was soaking up the scenery and enjoying the peace and quiet that surrounded us, when all of a sudden a leopard seal popped its head out of the water, eyed us all watching in awe, and then just slipped back under the water as quickly as he had appeared.
During our fantastic days of kayaking, we were privileged to witness crabeater seals and Weddel seals bathing on ice floes, Gentoo penguins dancing their courtship dances whilst floating on the ice floats, and I never got tired of watching the penguins porpoising through the water with such ease. We learned how to navigate our kayaks through the ice and around the most stunning glaciers and ice sculptures, and listened to the ice crackling and popping all around as we slid our kayaks over. In the far distance we could hear calvings taking place, although we didn’t witness any, and saw the snowshoers and skiers hiking their way up the mountains.
This extra activity that I opted to do on my Antarctica adventure was worth every single penny, and I urge anyone with the slightest inkling of kayaking to give it a go. You really won’t be disappointed.
People are already asking me how I feel after my trip to Antarctica. Well, this place stole my heart. It shook me to the core with its beauty, its serenity and its wildlife. It turned my life upside down and made me wish that I was 30 years younger so that I could plan my career all over again and work on one of these expedition ships.
As we sailed back towards Ushuaia over the Drake Passage, I was already planning how I could get to visit this magical continent again. I really hope I will be back for another Antarctica adventure one day.
Our Favourite Holidays for Kayaking
Inspired by hearing about this incredible Antarctica adventure? Here are some of our favourite itineraries.
Inspired by Shackleton’s legend, this itinerary delivers the best of this magnificent region, departing from Montevideo and sailing through the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Encounter penguins, seals and much more in this extraordinarily biodiverse region.
Soak up incredible scenery and outstanding wildlife as you journey through these three iconic regions on a luxury vessel. Departing from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, this unforgettable trip offers a new adventure at every turn.
Come aboard a custom-built polar vessel for a thrilling adventure taking you through the pristine wilderness to encounter unique and abundant wildlife and an awe-inspiring landscape of towering icebergs. Enjoy a host of optional extra activities like Zodiac excursions and visits to historic sites.
An absolutely epic expedition through the region, departing from and returning to Ushuaia. You’ll sail the famous Drake Passage and follow Shacketon’s path to encounter truly jaw-dropping scenery and a proliferation of wildlife like nowhere else on the planet.
