Explorer Expedition
Explorer Expedition
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US $50.00
Is Expedition Cruising For You?
In December 1985, as part of my new position with an expedition cruise company, I was put on a three week cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula, including the South Georgia group of Islands. Previous to that, my only cruise experience had been on a Holland America ship which brought me to my new home America in 1967.
We had a stopover in Santiago where we visited a wonderful hacienda, several miles outside of the city for a Chilean meal accompanied by a choice of Chilean wines and observing a number of riders on beautiful horses prancing around. The next day of our adventure, our chartered aircraft landed, quite close to the most southern trip of Chile, where we embarked the World Discoverer, forever my most favorite small ship. That ship, is no longer in service
As our cruise took place over the Christmas Holidays, there were only 70 or so passengers on board the ship, which normally had the capacity to carry 140 passengers. Our cabins were not luxurious, but certainly adequate, the public rooms comfortable and cozy and our lecturers were definitely top of the class. But what made the experience so exceptional is the ability of the smaller ships, of course in Antarctica with ice breaking capabilities, to come closer to shore. Thus with a pair of good binoculars, you are able to stay outside all day and night, if you prefer to cast your eyes upon the Antarctic's incredible landscape.
The second attraction of cruising expedition style is the ambiance on board. Within a few days you have met almost every one, sat with them in the lounge or in the zodiac during a landing, or enjoyed a lecture together, and shared a table in the dining room which offered open seating. There is an exchange of experiences, knowledge and plain old camaraderie.
Stops no matter where they were or what they were i.e. landings ashore or zodiac expeditions, carry with them the sense that everyone turns into an explorer. Sights are shared, enthusiasm is easily created, and the excitement of landing on a shore with thousands of foul smelling, yet exquisitely beautiful penguins, creates a forever picture, in your mind.
There is no sitting around on a cruise like that, there is always something happening. The fact that most of the time, the bridge is open, gives people a change to also get to know the officers and the crew a bit better. Never mind about the fun of forbidden participation in crew parties.
At present, I have cruised on various expedition vessels, three months through Indonesia as a part of the expedition team, through the Panama Canal, and also often over a period of six years in the Russian Far East, as a leader of expedition cruise development. In Indonesia and the South Pacific we landed almost at every small island crossing our route. On board of our cruises through Indonesia, we had the wonderful team of the Blair Brothers who had lived and explored Indonesia extensively, and shared with us, the essence of what Indonesia was all about, its people in small villages, warm, open and hospitable and obviously quite spiritual.
Two of my experiences though have stayed with me stronger than others. One was when we landed on an island that had never been visited before. Our expedition leader had gone ashore to ask for permission to land, which was given. Upon landing we were brought to the center of the small village, where they put on a dance performance at the spur of the moment, which they told us later was the first time they have performed in the last forty years. There were tears in their eyes, as well as in ours.
The other happened on a small isolated island, when I was walking back to the ship, and I heard some footsteps behind me. I turned around and an excited little man asked me if I was Dutch. When I agreed he put his arms around me and said, it has been such a long time, since I have seen Dutch people and I just wanted to say hello. Now mind you, I was told on the ship never to reveal my Dutch origins, as the Dutch have a kind of love-hate relationship with Indonesia and its people.
These kinds of experiences are one of a kind, but they happen often if you go where few have gone before. Expedition travel through the use of zodiacs can bring you to shores and villages that might not have seen foreigners before. Now I can think of a few people, who would say, that as a foreigner you might be intruding and leaving perhaps impressions which may cause disharmony. This certainly is a good question. But most expedition cruse companies are aware of their impact, and the expedition leaders and staff are always prudent in asking permission to land, and wherever possible leaving something behind showing their concern for the living environment of the people who live there On Bering Island, for example, a very poor island positioned between Alaska and Kamchatka (Russia), blankets were donated to the local community. This was done upon their request. Also passengers collected funds on board of the vessel to support the local museum. On Indonesian cruises, the doctor on board of the ship when there was time on many islands would see after those who wanted his attention.
So what is the profile of an expedition cruiser then? It is any person who wants to learn and have a chance to see and experience cultures and nature far away from the inhabited world. It is someone who while cruising expect a certain ambiance, good food and good company, but prizes the gaining of knowledge and experience most of all. It is a person who likes to use his or her time ashore to discover endemic plants, visit small villages and be invited to have tea or something else to eat, sits on the deck to see incredible scenery go by, close up. Come home richer not alone with beautiful pictures of the trip, but also impressions on their souls they will never forget.
About the Author
Aaltje van Zoelen is an explorer at heart, she is the General Manager for World Wise Ecotourism Network, which creates and markets eco friendly international journeys all over the world. She also serves as a part time consultant to various small cruise lines, such as Oceanwide Expeditions. She is also an expert on nature and culture based travel to and in East Russia (www.traveleastrussia.com). You can reach her at eastrus@gmail.com
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French Doctor and Explorer, Departure of the Expedition of the Colony Crevaux $24.99 Prisma Archivo French Doctor and Explorer, Departure of the Expedition of the Colony Crevaux - Photographic Print |
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French Doctor and Explorer, Killing Members of the Crevaux's Expedition $24.99 Prisma Archivo French Doctor and Explorer, Killing Members of the Crevaux's Expedition - Photographic Print |
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The Semyon Dezhnev's Explorer Expedition on 1648, 1952 $49.99 Vasili Vasilyevich Kraynev The Semyon Dezhnev's Explorer Expedition on 1648, 1952 - Giclee Print |
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John King Explorer; Part of the Burke and Wills Expedition to Australia $39.99 John King Explorer; Part of the Burke and Wills Expedition to Australia - Giclee Print |
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Lowrance iFinder Explorer & Expedition C Instructional DVD by Bennett Marine $29.95 BENNETT DVD LOWRANCE EXPLORER C PLUS & EXPEDITION C PLUSDVD LOWRANCE IFINDER EXPLORER & EXPEDITION C, EXPLORER Plus & EXPEDITION C PlusThe most comprehensive, instructional, training DVD to teach you all the features & functions & HOW TO USE your unit. This step-by-step training DVD walks you throug |
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Spanish Explorer Hernando de Soto Landing His Expedition in Florida, c.1539 $39.99 Spanish Explorer Hernando de Soto Landing His Expedition in Florida, c.1539 - Giclee Print |
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Emin Pasha Relief Expedition: Stanley Meets the German Explorer Emin Pasha $49.99 Emin Pasha Relief Expedition: Stanley Meets the German Explorer Emin Pasha - Giclee Print |
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Explorer Robert Scott Worked at This Bench During His 1911 Expedition $39.99 Steve And Donna O'Meara Explorer Robert Scott Worked at This Bench During His 1911 Expedition - Photographic Print |
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Stocked Pantry in Hut for Explorer Robert Scott's 1911 Expedition $39.99 Steve And Donna O'Meara Stocked Pantry in Hut for Explorer Robert Scott's 1911 Expedition - Photographic Print |
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British Traveler and Explorer, Cameron's Expedition to Central Africa (July 15, 1875) $24.99 Prisma Archivo British Traveler and Explorer, Cameron's Expedition to Central Africa (July 15, 1875) - Photographic Print |
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Arctic Explorer Robert Peary Meeting the Relief Expedition on the Greenland Ice-Cap, August 5, 1892 $39.99 Arctic Explorer Robert Peary Meeting the Relief Expedition on the Greenland Ice-Cap, August 5, 1892 - Giclee Print |
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Norwegian Explorer Roald Amundsen on Skis During Expedition When He Discovered the South Pole $79.99 Norwegian Explorer Roald Amundsen on Skis During Expedition When He Discovered the South Pole - Premium Photographic Print |
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Hugh Clapperton Scottish Explorer First European to See Lake Chad Died on Niger Expedition $49.99 Thomas Lupton Hugh Clapperton Scottish Explorer First European to See Lake Chad Died on Niger Expedition - Giclee Print |
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American Explorer Robert Peary with Sled Dogs, Arctic Expedition that Discovered the North Pole $99.99 American Explorer Robert Peary with Sled Dogs, Arctic Expedition that Discovered the North Pole - Giclee Print |
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Explorer $11.49 Explorer |
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Chronicle of the Narvaez Expedition (Paperback) $16.02 Presents an account of the trouble-plagued expedition that led Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca from Santo Domingo to Florida to Texas to Mexico at the end of the sixteenth century. |
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Ford Expedition $124.27 The Ford Expedition is a fullsize SUV built by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1997 as a replacement to the Ford Bronco, it was previously slotted between the smaller Ford Explorer and the larger Ford Excursion, but as of the 2005 model year it is Fords largest SUV. Ford currently offers the standard regularsized model and the larger EL/Max model, succeeding the Excursion which was discontinued in 2005. The Expedition (especially the larger EL/Max model) is once again Fords flagship SUV. All Expeditions were originally built in Wayne, Michigan. In 2009, Ford shifted its current third generation model production to Louisville, Kentucky as Ford has begun converting the Wayne assembly plant to start building the future production of the Focus Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 214 Publication Date: 2010/04/29 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.48 inches |
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Hamilton OUTDOOR EXPLORER Carrying Case for Travel Essential $51.95 NG Expedition Trek Pack |
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Dakine Explorer Backpack - Green- $55 Keep everything you'll need on your next great expedition in this Explorer backpack by Dakine! It features skateboard carry straps, a padded laptop pocket and mp3 pocket so you'll be ready to take on whatever you get into! |
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Dakine Explorer Wrap Backpack $44.99 Keep everything you'll need on your next great expedition in this Explorer backpack by Dakine! It features skateboard carry straps, a padded laptop pocket and mp3 pocket so you'll be ready to take on whatever you get into! |
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Ford Explorer $97.19 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky (it was also assembled in Hazelwood, Missouri until the plant closed on March 10, 2006). The Ford Explorer was instrumental in turning the SUV from a specialinterest vehicle into one of the most popular vehicle types on the road. It is marked as Fords only midsized SUV and is slotted between the larger Ford Expedition and the smaller Ford Escape. Though the Ford Escape is a crossover and the Expedition and Explorer are traditional SUVs, Ford considers all three vehicles to make up their SUV portfolio. Their crossover portfolio consists of the Ford Flex and the Ford Edge. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 164 Publication Date: 2010/07/03 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.37 inches |
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Dora the Explorer Wig $14.95 Come on Dora! Grab your backpack—let's go! Jump in, vamanos! Dora the Explorer never lets an expedition go unexamined by her very own eyes. She loves to explore and she's fearless, so who wouldn't love to venture out with her? You can wear the Dora the Explorer Wig and experience this super exciting lifestyle for yourself. The Dora the Explorer Wig features a chestnut brown, straight wig with front bangs just like Dora's hair in the cartoon. You can lead the way! Vamanos! |
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Burke and Wills Expedition $68.51 Burke and Wills Expedition. Robert OHara Burke, William John Wills, John King (explorer), Ferdinand von Mueller, William Blandowski, Francis Cadell (explorer), John McDouall Stuart, Charles Sturt, Augustus Gregory, Ludwig Becker, John McKinlay, William Landsborough, Frederick Walker (explorer), Georg von Neumayer, Andrew Clarke (administrator), Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn, Clement Hodgkinson Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 72 Publication Date: 2009/10/08 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.17 inches |
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York (Explorer) $71.7 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles York (ca. 1770 ca. March 1831) was an American slave best known for his service with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He was the slave of William Clark, but participated as a full member in the expedition. After the expeditions return he pressed for his freedom, but continued serving as Clarks slave for at least some time. Like many other members, his ultimate fate is unclear. In 1804, York was compelled to leave his family and accompany Clark and 40 others on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The expeditions journals present York as a large, strong man who shared the duties and risks of the expedition in full. He was the only AfricanAmerican member of the Expedition, and in the wilderness served as an equal member, with freedoms and responsibilities unlike back East. The assignments given him, as recorded in the journals, attest to his skill in scouting, hunting and field medicine. When the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean, York voted along with the rest as to where the Expedition would build winter quarters. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 98 Publication Date: 2010/08/04 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.23 inches |