Blog

The mountain gorillas in Rwanda are a success story. Their numbers are increasing (of the 720 in the world as of this date, 480 are in Rwanda), poaching has diminished, and the local people are reaping the benefits of tourism. This trip has proven so popular that the government has increased the park fee for your one hour visit with the mountain gorillas. There are 16 groups in Rwanda- eight are for tourists to view, 8 are off limits to tourists and are used to study their behavior. Our guide Francois was a porter for Dian Fossey, and as such

Our first stop was Deception Island. The red flag denotes a walking path. As the anchor was dropped we could see a house and fuel containers for a whaling station and a British research station.  They were here until 1968 when a mud and debris flow (called a lahaar) destroyed most of it. Our Expedition Team went first to make sure the coast was clear from all those penguin gangs ready to mug us. You can visualize the steam from the underground thermals at the waters edge. This was also our first opportunity to go zodiaking. First things first, so lets

Lets meet some of our fellow intrepid explorers Michelle and CP Ann, Howie, Raph, Michelled, Cathy, Joan, Ralph, Dominic, Rhonda, and Tom Ralph, Joan, Rhonda, Dominic, and Ralph Steve, Kevin, and Gery Mary Ann Dominic (scanning for enemy torpedoes) Rick CP Ralph Ralph and Joan Gerry Paul and Cathy (again) Carol discovered a news species on our trip- the Antarctic black-nosed fuzzy pygmy polar bear Doug Diane and Doug Dianne and Monica Howie and Sue Howie in action! Howie's form gave him the winning photo in the NAVC photo contest. Congratulations Howie! Sue just plain had fun while Howie was

Its this treaty that allows almost anyone to visit Antarctica