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Published: February 14th 2020
Beautiful Penguins
Photo credit and copyright: Jim & Lisa MastroBy the time you read this we will be on our way. A plan long in the making....it is now time to visit the frozen continent. We could not be more excited! This is in celebration of a birthday milestone for Dave....he's not getting any younger.
Antarctica is sometimes referred to as the Seventh Continent. We hope you will come along to these enchanting lands. We’ve signed up for a trip called Epic Antarctica….. what more needs to be said.
But first....a bit of personal history from Dave.
As a young college student at The Ohio State University 1976 -81 working on a degree in journalism – my first assignment and article published in the school paper "The Lantern" was concerning Global Warming. I interviewed a professor from the school of Geodetic Sciences. He told of the massive use of fossil fuels and how it could affect global climates.....could it be true? All along... never thinking I would step foot on Antarctica .....where it reached almost 65 degrees F just last week.
And now here I am on my way to the land of melting ice. Eager to attend all the science lectures on Quark Expedition, experience
Antarctica
By Jim Mastro this frozen land and possibly learn more about global warming...and all the incredible wildlife and those who ventured here long ago....in the meantime, I am listening to a Lyle Lovett tune from 1994..."Penguins are so sensitive...to my needs." Appropriate...no?
A bit of personal history from Merry Jo.....
The National Science Foundation does some amazing research at the U.S. Antarctica Research station on the Ross Sea. From October of 1989 to February of 1990 I served as a shuttle bus driver at McMurdo station. When I was there the research station was supported by the Navy and a contractor who provided the civilian personnel- skilled and laborers. It was a blast and some day I hope to write several blogs describing my time on the ice. That will be for another day. Having done the Polar Swim on that trip it won't be repeated on this trip.
I've talked about Antarctica for years so now it is time to take Dave on this adventure. One of MJ's favorite songs from her time on the ice is "The Future's So Bright" by Timbuk 3.
We’ve chosen Quark Expeditions as it is one of the oldest companies leading trips
South Light
A Journey to the Last Continent by Michel Parfit to the Polar Regions. Expedition ships have navigation systems that are designed to detect icebergs at a safe distance and navigate the Polar waters. These vessels have a hull which was built for polar regions and strengthened to deal with the ice. Safety is their concern. These ships allow you to go where normal cruise ships cannot go.
Travel Blog We've been writing our blogs on Travel Blogs for more than a decade now. This website has allowed us to make many friends around the world. On this trip we will finally meet "The Crannster" of Travel Blog fame.
Crannster. He will be one of guides on our trip. We've been emailing for several years and couldn't be happier to finally meet. Could this be a more cool way to meet a fellow Travel Blogger?
"Dave moved to the Canadian Arctic almost a decade ago and now calls this wild region home. He has worked many years as an interpretive guide in prime polar bear country and regularly guides trips thought the Far North, be it on land or water. He has been involved in continuing Arctic research projects, including flora surveys, bird counts, snow sampling, ice coring,
Battle For The Falklands
by Max Hastings and Simon Jenkins and monitoring the polar bear populations. In his time with the Quark Expeditions family, Dave has completed many voyages through both the Arctic and Antarctica. A passionate naturalist, he loves the vastness and silence of these magical places. He has a great respect for the Far North, its fauna and flora, and is people, culture and climate. A big fan of the challenging conditions of polar winters, Dave always looks forward to being out on the land and sharing his antics through stories, exploration and an infectious enthusiasm."
Quark Expeditions Guide If you enjoy reading or are contemplating a trip to Antarctica you may want to do some reading. You'll want to grab some books about James Cook, Ernest Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, and Roald Amundesen. Over the years we've read a few of the books we've featured in our photos. Our three favorites are Antarctica by Jim Mastro, South Light by Michael Parfit and Icebound by Dr. Jerri Neilsen. MJ had the pleasure of working with Jim and his wife Lisa while at McMurdo. Check him out on Amazon as he has written several books including some clever children's book. MJ attended a lecture by Jerri Neilsen and
ICE BOUND
By Dr. Jerri Nielsen with Maryanne Vollers has an autographed copy of her book. South Light is one of our favorites. As for Greenpeace MJ does not care for the politics or methods. While in Antarctica she experienced negative side of their work. Details will come in her McMurdo blogs.
We will have internet on the ship but will not be able to post photos or blogs until we return. Please feel free to write.
Antarctica with Quark Expeditions The Ocean Endeavor. 199 passengers Epic Antarctica -23 days
Day 1: Bueson Aires, Argentina. Day 2: Ushuaia, Argentina and Embarkation.
Day 3: At Sea. Day 4: & 5: Falklands Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Day 6 & 7: At Sea. Day 8 to 11: South Georgia
Day 12 & 13: At Sea. Day 14 to 16: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Penisula
Day 17 & 18: The Antarctic Circle. Day 19 & 20: North along the Peninsula
Day 21 & 22: Crossing The Drake Passage. Day 23: Disembark in Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires
Land back in Florida: March 10th
Our travel agent has been to Antarctica 44 times..... yes an expert. She grew up in South
Epic Antarctic
by Quark Expeditions Africa and designed our trip in 2018 to Africa. If you want any contact information please let us know.
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Cilla Geldenhuys
non-member comment
Bon voyage
Looking forward to reading all about it when you get back.