Rare Fletcher Posted March 16 #201 Share Posted March 16 Superb photos and video @highplanesdrifters. A very special place to visit and what incredible weather you had . . . 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare markandjie Posted March 16 #202 Share Posted March 16 On 3/14/2024 at 5:05 AM, highplanesdrifters said: Gough Island Part of the Tristan Archepelago. One of the most remote island groups in the world. People sometimes ask me why we travel so much. I always reply that it's a big amazing world and I want to see it all. Seeing this makes me realize it's even bigger and more amazing than I thought. Still want to see it all. <starts looking for cape to cape itineraries> 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 17 Author #203 Share Posted March 17 23 hours ago, Fletcher said: Superb photos and video @highplanesdrifters. A very special place to visit and what incredible weather you had . . . @Fletcher I am humbled. It's amazing what an amateur can do with a cell phone. Now about that spelling and punctuation.......🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 17 Author #204 Share Posted March 17 12 hours ago, markandjie said: People sometimes ask me why we travel so much. I always reply that it's a big amazing world and I want to see it all. Seeing this makes me realize it's even bigger and more amazing than I thought. Still want to see it all. <starts looking for cape to cape itineraries> I agree. There is always a place out there that I didn't known needed to see. The Tristan Archepelago and Gough were much more interesting than imagined. They are more than just a remote place. Yes to C2C! Let us know what you find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 17 Author #205 Share Posted March 17 Nightingale Island Calmer seas, no wind and bluebird skies made for another spectacular day. Nightingale here we come for a zodiac cruise. Overnight we had a long commute.😅 First up, some caves. Petral cruising for chow. 20240316_104318.mp4 Jackson Pollock was here. 20240316_112040.mp4 Some of the subantarctic fur seals have a mullet. This genetic mutation started in the 80's. Not happy about the Skua. 20240316_105934.mp4 And now the star of the show, Northern Rockhoppers. 20240316_103949.mp4 Look, @jpalbny you brought me luck. Seastack with Tristan in the background. 20240316_110418.mp4 More Rockhoppers, specially back-lit. 20240316_105015.mp4 WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO A few Petrals having a Rockhopper lunch. 20240316_113910.mp4 Remember all those supplies the ship unloaded on Tristan? Well guess who got treated to Lobster lunch. Quite possibly the best Lobster I have ever eaten. Simply steamed with a touch of butter. The way it should be! After we finished Mahomed came by and offered another round. Oh yes please! A glass of bubbly put us in heaven. And the promise of a landing this afternoon. Is all this really happening? 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fletcher Posted March 17 #206 Share Posted March 17 On our cruise about ten years ago we somehow managed to land on Nightingale. Our expedition team were so thrilled they raced ahead up the slippery slope and spent the next hour taking photos of the rockhoppers on the top of a cliff. Meanwhile, us passengers were let to fend for ourselves and only one expedition team member was left behind in a zodiac in the heavy swell. It was, shall we say, rather hairy but worth risking life and limb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisintime Posted March 17 #207 Share Posted March 17 "Dropping in" since we're on SS to Antarctica next year! How did the bird flu impact your trip and did they say anything about the expectations going forward? Thanks for your help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 19 Author #208 Share Posted March 19 On 3/17/2024 at 7:32 PM, Fletcher said: On our cruise about ten years ago we somehow managed to land on Nightingale. Our expedition team were so thrilled they raced ahead up the slippery slope and spent the next hour taking photos of the rockhoppers on the top of a cliff. Meanwhile, us passengers were let to fend for ourselves and only one expedition team member was left behind in a zodiac in the heavy swell. It was, shall we say, rather hairy but worth risking life and limb. Sounds exciting. On one of those risking life and limb hikes there were a few sprained ankles and a broken leg. We began passing on the slippery slope hikes. Glad you came out unscathed. Did you do a trip report? Were the Albatros nesting in the Tussock? There were a number of concerns about disturbing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 19 Author #209 Share Posted March 19 On 3/17/2024 at 7:45 PM, cruisintime said: "Dropping in" since we're on SS to Antarctica next year! How did the bird flu impact your trip and did they say anything about the expectations going forward? Thanks for your help. Will check in with a few of the bird guides to get the latest bird flu info. Opinions vary. Stay turned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 19 Author #210 Share Posted March 19 Nightingale Island Part 2 No landing this afternoon due to some fur seals with hate in their hearts blocking our path. Based on @Fletcher description perhaps a nice zodiac cruise is just what the doctor ordered. Rocks, rocks, and more amazing volcanic rocks. For the Birders. We saw numerous Nightingale Thrush and the equally rare Nightingale Finch. Not just a fleeting glance mind you. Lots of chirping, flitting about and other birdsy things. Sights along the trip were common. We also saw a few Sooty Albatrosses. So elegant soaring about, dropping things off at their nest. Even easy to spot and enjoy for an amateur. Major Finch and Thrush spot. Seal pup nursery area. 20240316_164333.mp4 Aw, what the heck, here's another seal pup video. 20240316_164333.mp4 20240316_163739.mp4 Cave time. Yes, these are the vibrant colors we saw. The Zuber drivers were crazy about this cave. As were we. We did a double zip through . Some did 5 passes. What a delight. The video does a good job of the insane colors coming to life as your eyes and lens adjust to the darkness. The smile on Sam's face at the end tells the tale. tale. 20240316_172100.mp4 @drron29. We learned today that touching rocks from a zodiac is considered a landing. I can neither confirm or deny that we landed.😁 20240316_164603.mp4 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 20 Author #211 Share Posted March 20 Inaccessible Island, Tristan Archepelago We searched for the Inaccessible Island Rail. It is the smallest extant flightless bird in the world. The ultimate Holy Grail of the trip for the Birders. It is dark brown and only 5-6 inches. We bobbed far from shore as the swell was, well, swelly! It was not easy to spot. No one did. We got a few Rockhoppers and a pleasant ride before our upcoming 4 sea days. The Swell 20240317_101143.mp4 This is 'Where The Pig Fell Off'. Seriously, it's a real place name. Some brilliant government bureaucrat forced some Tristans to start a farm on the top of this volcano. They did not succeed. Nor did the pig. The Tristans returned to Tristan. The Rockhoppers and seals had BLTs. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 21 Author #212 Share Posted March 21 @taxatty @cruisintime Avaian Flu I've talked to a few of the bird experts on board to try and get a sense of what has happened and the future for South Georgia and Antarctica. It is a challenge to predict exactly what will happen. I'll try and summarize. Avaian Flu seems to have a 2-3 year cycle. We are at the beginning of the cycle in Antarctica and beginning/middle in South Georgia. South Georgia There is hope that the King Penguin population will show some resistance. Seal pups in some areas were particularly hard hit. Fears about the Albatros persist. Much of Grytviken was closed including Shackleton's grave. The Post Office, museum and church were open, and a hike was offered. We had a zodiac cruise at Salisbury Plain which IMHO may have been better than a landing. At other sites there were multiple landings where we were surrounded by King Penguins and Seals, including hundreds of pups. Some site were closed and then re-opened once it was determined that Avian flu was not the cause of deaths. We were scheduled for 5 days in SG but left after 3 to outrun a storm. I did not feel like we missed out. Antarctica Two popular spots were closed. The Chilean Base and the British Post Office. They have gift shops. It is impossible to social distance with the critters there. I don't think you'll miss much by not going to them. As for the future there, it is anyone's guess. How and who will monitor the landing sites? How much resistance will be in the colonies there? There are many more sites in Antarctica vs SG. But there are also many more ships. It is hard to say given the unknown, but you are just as or more likely to miss landings due to weather, swell or hostile fur seals. I was worried that our trip would be overweighted with zodiac cruises. I found just the opposite. Except for missing out on a leg stretch the zodiac cruises offered a different perspective, the ability to see more, and sometimes were preferable. That being said, nothing compares to being part of the multi species interaction on land. Land vs Zodiac The Expedition team picks a landing spot based on how few critters are there. As the day progresses more and more of them gather around the spot out of curiosity and it becomes a happening attracting even more. King Penguins on icebergs with hundreds swimming about the berg and your zodiac. I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 21 Author #213 Share Posted March 21 Sea days, sea days, glorious sea days. I was worried there would be too many on the C2C. Please can I have a few more. Unheard of calm seas for the entire crossing. Rarely more than 2 meter swell. 20240318_093834.mp4 What's this? No chair hogs? May be more rare than the calm seas or the Inaccessible Rail. Let's throw a party to celebrate all the amazing, kind, witty, and wonderful people we have met. You know who you are. A quiet sunset dinner. An example of the plethora of activities should you need entertainment. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jpalbny Posted March 21 #214 Share Posted March 21 Loving your posts! Wish we were cruising together so we could share in the fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southerngoose Posted March 22 #215 Share Posted March 22 @jpalbny I'm sorry that his cruise is over! I've enjoyed it without even going on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 22 Author #216 Share Posted March 22 12 hours ago, jpalbny said: Loving your posts! Wish we were cruising together so we could share in the One of these days! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 22 Author #217 Share Posted March 22 10 hours ago, southerngoose said: @jpalbny I'm sorry that his cruise is over! I've enjoyed it without even going on it. It's not over yet. Still on ship for one day in Walvis Bay. Who wants to go on a little safari with us? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincslady Posted March 22 #218 Share Posted March 22 Yes please. This has been one of the most interesting cruises ever to enjoy from just sitting at the laptop. Many thanks. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Port Power Posted March 22 #219 Share Posted March 22 2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said: It's not over yet. Still on ship for one day in Walvis Bay. Who wants to go on a little safari with us? I hope you see the “small five” at Walvis Bay. Just don’t get too close to a death adder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 23 Author #220 Share Posted March 23 On 3/22/2024 at 4:12 AM, lincslady said: Yes please. This has been one of the most interesting cruises ever to enjoy from just sitting at the laptop. Many thanks. We are all armchair travelers when we're not traveling. Thanks for the encouragement. 😁 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 23 Author #221 Share Posted March 23 On 3/22/2024 at 5:10 AM, Port Power said: I hope you see the “small five” at Walvis Bay. Just don’t get too close to a death adder! Small five? I'm still trying to process what I just saw. TBH, I'll be happy to just relax for a few days. If more creatures happen to grace me with their presence it would be lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 23 Author #222 Share Posted March 23 Walvis Bay, Namibia And now for something completely different. Always a shocker to roll into an industrial port. And then.....immigration. We were bussed to a small government building for a 45 minute wait in a crowded airless hallway. Ugh! Don't worry, it gets better. We did not have to go into this room, whew. Our charming view. Now for the good fun. Dorob National Park. The dark part on the dunes is magnatite. First snake. Horned Viper - I think. Our guide photographing him, yikes. Action shot. 20240322_113127_1.mp4 Our guides did not wear shoes. Yikes. Check out this translucent Palmeto Gecko. He's a poser. His tail will grow back in a few months. Catch and release. 20240322_115759_1.mp4 Our guide regularly jumped out of the truck searching for all these little critters. 20240322_120517_1.mp4 This time she found a water Beetle. Stay tuned for Part 2. 20240322_120603.mp4 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Port Power Posted March 23 #223 Share Posted March 23 (edited) 2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said: Walvis Bay, Namibia And now for something completely different. Always a shocker to roll into an industrial port. And then.....immigration. We were bussed to a small government building for a 45 minute wait in a crowded airless hallway. Ugh! Don't worry, it gets better. We did not have to go into this room, whew Our charming view. Now for the good fun. Dorob National Park. The dark part on the dunes is magnatite. First snake. Horned Viper - I think. Our guide photographing him, yikes. Action shot. 20240322_113127_1.mp4 18.16 MB · 0 downloads Check out this translucent Palmeto Gecko. He's a poser. His tail will grow back in a few months. Catch and release. 20240322_115759_1.mp4 23.47 MB · 0 downloads Our guide regularly jumped out of the truck searching for all these little critters. 20240322_120517_1.mp4 13.41 MB · 0 downloads This time she found a water Beetle. Stay tuned for Part 2. 20240322_120603.mp4 Those are some of the “small five”. Horned viper aka death adder; chameleon; gecko; skink. So incredible how translucent the gecko is! Apart from immigration, I’m glad you enjoyed your tour. Now enjoy some relaxation down time. Edited March 23 by Port Power 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RyanJCanada Posted March 23 #224 Share Posted March 23 (edited) Such great posts - thanks so much! We were away in Morocco and Paris so just getting caught up now. Were there any children on either of the legs? And if so, did you have a sense of ages? Our kids had a great time hanging out with the adults on our 20 night Dublin-Greenland cruise last summer, but curious as to whether they’re likely to be the only under 18s for Antarctica and the Cape to Cape Edited March 23 by RyanJCanada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 23 Author #225 Share Posted March 23 8 hours ago, RyanJCanada said: Such great posts - thanks so much! We were away in Morocco and Paris so just getting caught up now. Were there any children on either of the legs? And if so, did you have a sense of ages? Our kids had a great time hanging out with the adults on our 20 night Dublin-Greenland cruise last summer, but curious as to whether they’re likely to be the only under 18s for Antarctica and the Cape to Cape Thanks for the kind words. No kids on either leg. Just adults acting like children. We had a particularly high ratio. But it was made up by all the fantastic people we met. There were kid's on our previous Antarctic trip. I'd say 8-14 years old, a total of maybe 5. There were also older teenagers lurking about. They were all great kids, spoiled by Expedition Staff and well loved by all crew. I wouldn't hesitate to give yours the gift of that amazing place. Paris Morocco sounds fab. Did you post anywhere? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now