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What’s so Special about East Spitsbergen?
We’ve previously discussed our north Spitsbergen journeys and Spitsbergen circumnavigations, but the eastern parts of this incredible island have not received the attention they deserve. Despite the name, our east Spitsbergen voyages explore much more than just the eastern side of Spitsbergen.
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The Best Arctic and Antarctic Trips for Families
Polar expedition cruises are often enjoyed by couples and an increasing number of solo travelers, but they can also be a fantastic adventure for families. If you have the budget to bring the whole family along, there are various polar trips that will make everyone equally excited about the ice.
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Scenes from St. Andrews Bay: 12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More
If you ever find yourself exploring the breathtaking sub-Antarctic island chain of South Georgia, one of the most captivating spots you'll encounter is the picturesque shoreline of St. Andrews Bay.
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Greenlandic Inuit Beliefs
Greenland is the world’s largest island and with the northern tip around 740 kilometres from the North Pole it is the northernmost country on Earth. The island is around 2,670 kilometres long and is about 650 kilometres across at its widest point.
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Gough Island: Seabird Capital of the South Atlantic
Gough Island is a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, uninhabited except for a small party of meteorologists and (sometimes) biologists.
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“The polar bear will still be there”
For several hours, we had been navigating the pack ice in search of polar bears. Despite numerous binoculars scanning the ice, no bears were visible, and only a few tracks were found. This suggested we might be in an area with fewer bears. Later that morning, we decided to head a few miles east, suspecting a higher bear population there.
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Kayaking In Greenland
Think of Greenland and two images come to mind:
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Amazing Greenland
If you ever get the chance to take a trip to Greenland, you will be amazed by its coastlines, fjords, ice-covered peaks, and great expanse of snow-covered land. You will also notice that Greenland is a rugged area with a rich diversity of life, making it a dream location for scientists as well.
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15 Falkland Islands Bird Photos
The remote sub-Antarctic archipelago of the Falkland Islands is a haven for bird enthusiasts, offering a unique and abundant selection of birds, especially seabirds.
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The Wonderful Weddell Sea: Places, Pics, and Impressions
When we talk about Antarctica, it’s easy to slip into familiar words: amazing, astounding, extraordinary, exceptional. And though most Antarctic locations more than deserve these descriptions, some deserve them more than others.
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Port Lockroy: History, Post Office, and Resident Penguins
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the stunning coastlines, fjords, and other natural wonders of Antarctica, overlooking the man-made attractions nestled in between.
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The Small but Social Commerson’s Dolphin
Despite being one of the lesser-known Antarctic cetaceans, Commerson's dolphins are quite social and have been given various names over the years, including Piebald dolphins, skunk dolphins, and panda dolphins. These names have been in use since their discovery in 1767 by French naturalist Philibert Commerson.
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An igneous paradise: Franklin Island
In the most remote reaches of the world's oceans, those daring enough to embark on the Ortelius to the Ross Sea eagerly boarded zodiacs in the southernmost part of the Pacific Ocean.
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Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic
If they knew their way home, why not follow them? Equipped with GPS and compass, we approached the cliffs by zodiac. First, we heard the noise from the colony – the distinct calls of guillemots, kittiwakes, and Glaucous gulls. Then the cliffs gradually emerged from the mist.
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Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica
At first glance, the skuas you encounter in Antarctica may appear to be merely darker-feathered seagulls. But looks can be deceiving.
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Orcas (aka Killer Whales) of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic
Orcas are highly social and intelligent members of the dolphin family Delphinidae. They are sometimes referred to as killer whales, though this name has somewhat fallen out of fashion due to inaccurately characterizing orcas as ferocious predators.
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Guidelines for visitors to Antarctica
Activities in the Antarctic are governed by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and associated agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System. The Treaty established Antarctica as a zone dedicated to peace and science. In 1991, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties adopted the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, designating the Antarctic as a natural reserve.
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All things ice in the Antarctic
The first documented sighting of an iceberg in Antarctica occurred on February 1, 1700, when Edmond Halley was on an expedition to measure the Earth's magnetic field. He noted in his diary that he encountered "great Islands of Ice, of Soe Incredible a hight and Magnitude that I scare dare to write my thoughts on it."
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The Emperor Penguin of the Drake Passage
There are certain moments in life when a series of events combine to create an experience that is both unexpected and unforgettable. These are the times when you are reminded how fortunate you are to be a part of something that few people will ever have the opportunity to experience. This trip to Antarctica was full of these moments for me.
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Eight Antarctic Misconceptions
Antarctica has given rise to some pretty far-fetched rumors.