Tecla in search of the lost continent
For many years, people speculated about the shape of the earth. One missing piece was the weight that kept the earth from tipping over. Aristole already speculated about a region bearing the same relation to the south pole as the one in the north. Antarktike would be the female form of Antarktikos. Meaning as much as across from Arctic. Much later this missing continent even had a name, Terra Australis. The British explorer Mattew Flinders, mapped great parts of the continent now known as Australia. He claimed there was “no probability” of finding any land mass further south than “his” Australia. Claims like these didn’t stop brave men from venturing further and further south. By 1820 the continent surrounding the South Pole was found. It stayed well hidden in the Antarctic mist and was the object of many great expeditions. Some in search of its supposed natural resources, some in search of the whales and their blubber, some in search of fame!
Tecla will be calling into port Stanley January 2020, like we did in 2013. This time instead of going North we will set of for the South!
Before setting off for the lost continent we will explore the shores and Islands of the Falklands. Colourful wild live like the Kingpenguin and Rockhopers are the main attractions. When starting the crossing of the infamous Drake passage, we hope that Elephant Island will be our first land fall. Following this chain of Islands we will come to the South Shetland Islands. Its highlights the imploded Deception Island. From there our journey continues to take in the sights of the great white continent. Possible places to visit are Half-moon bay, Paradise harbour, Port Lockroy, al depending on the weather conditions of course. During our stay on the peninsula it would be very possible to be in company of Humpback whales and Fin Whales.
The most Southern continent also has its own kind of fauna like the many penguins, but also a great variety of seals among whom we can hopefully find the fearsome looking Leopard Seal. If the ice allows us we will try to transit the Le Maire channel with it awesome views!
After a live changing cruise through this new world it is time to set off for Tierra Del Fuego, the land of fire. On our way across the Drake Passage we hope to make land fall at Cape Horn. This rock is an icon for many a brave sailor. After clearing in to Chilli in the world’s most southerly village, Puerto Williams we hope to have a look around Isla Navarino. Our last leg is surely no less than the others, the Beagle Channel with at the end our port of destination, Punta Arenas. So many places to visit, so many impressions.
This voyages gives you the opportunity to see all the different sorts of penguins. On the Falkland Islands there are 4 different species and on Antarctica you might find other different sorts.
Starting with the Gentoo, Magellanic, Rockhopper and King pinguïn. You will also be able to spot the Macaroni, Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins.
Falklands
Travelling to the Falkland Islands is easier than you might think with options by air and by sea. Arrangements can be made with an international operator or a Falkland-based company. Many visitors choose to arrive with LATAM which operates a flight every Saturday from Santiago, Chile (SCL) returning the same day. LATAM is a OneWorld partner connecting with international carriers in Europe, the Americas, Australasia and Africa. International Tours and Travel are the LATAM General Sales Agent in the Falkland Islands and can be contacted to arrange competitively priced flights. The Ministry of Defence, UK, operates twice weekly flights from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, directly to the Falklands with a refuelling stop in Ascension Island. Flights leave the UK on Sundays and Wednesdays. Return flights depart the Falklands on Tuesdays and Fridays. Civilian passengers can book seats on these flights via the Falkland Islands Government Office in London.
From Punta Arenas we set of on our Cape to Cape voyage. Visiting Puerto Williams and hopefully Cape Horn, before setting of across the Drake Passage. This trip we will not only visit the Antarctic peninsula but also South Georgia. South Georgia used to be home to many whaling factories not so long ago. Today South Georgia, like Antarctica is highly protected! It is only permanently inhabited by scientist. This enabled the flora and fauna to start to recover. The Elephant seals are again king on the beach! From south Georgia we will start our crossing of the South Atlantic ocean with one more possible stop before Cape Town SA, the Island of Tristan da Cuna, a tiny dot in the middle of the ocean!
“Everything comes with the cold water” as they say in Ice Land and so there is Tecla’s first Antarctic season. What an adventure!
27 day voyage
15 - 25 years old €8.190 25>years old €9.100
