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Arctic | Greenland | Spitsbergen |
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| Trip Reviews - Arctic Wildlife Sailing Voyages | ||
Click Here for Trip Reviews from our Arctic Dog Sledding Expeditions
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"I must tell you that Gordon and I did have a most amazing holiday in Spitsbergen on the Norderlicht. The scenery and the boat were amazing enough and the wildlife we saw was a huge bonus. Joanne Chapman & Gordon Hayward - South Spitsbergen Sailing Voyage 2011 What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday? How would you rate your holiday overall? Trip rating: 5 out of 5 Dr Justin Watts, London - Around Spitsbergen Sailing Voyage 2011 We amazed ourselves by doing 9 of 11 of the 2-3 hour hikes. There were a couple of ridge walk we declined. I have never been so cold in my entire life or so overawed by the intense beauty of the great diversity of scenery - it changed every few hours. Our guide was absolutely wonderful - his expert knowledge of the area added enormously to our pleasure. We learned sooo much from him. The crew were also wonderful, always accommodating our questions, requests and ready to help at all times. We definitely would return to that most amazing part of our planet. We saw the Aurora on four different occasions, each time stronger than the last and the last most conveniently before we had gone to bed and lasting around 20 minutes of sheer heaven. And finally, thank you so much for all the advice, help and hints and tips you gave us, and you readiness to answer all our questions. We could not have asked for a better briefing. Aqua-Firma is firmly in our 'favourites' and I am sure you will hear from again." Our guide met us at the airport and took us aboard. We were greeted by the crew. We set sail that night and slipped into the fiords dark waters. We were informed of the route of the voyage and itinerary each night but the sense of adventure of going into the unknown was very real. This was the Arctic in winter. All the childhood stories of polar exploration and endeavour came alive. The magic of the voyage was personified not only by the vessel and her crew by also by the passengers onboard. You get to meet and talk to all sorts. And you learn something. You are well fed and well engaged by everything that goes on. The standard of cooking is excellent. You leave the ship by Zodiac dinghy extremely well fortified and with a sense of anticipation. Nothing though prepares you for the menacing majesty of the terrain that you land on. It's more than what you see in the pictures because it is now so extremely real. This is not your land. You are not the rightful inhabitants. Go and see it for yourself. Fjords and glaciers, black icy water and the wind whistling, the green haze of the Northern lights as it dances over the inky black skies. The reality of what you experience transcends the myths. You will fulfil some of your dreams here. You will have some respect for those you travel with but most of all you will have respect for the sheer pristine beauty of the mountains, glaciers and seas and seek to protect it. The Arctic wildlife here watches you which adds to the constant sense of adventure. I have wanted to take part in an adventure like this for all my life. Come onboard! " Photographs kindly provided by Charlotte Caffrey, Ralph Pannell, Troels Jacobsen, Jan Belgers, David Slater, Michael Leach, Richard Escott and Rolf Stange |
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