Newsletter ~ Issue # 11

Bridgetown Barbados round trip

White sands and brilliant turquoise waters tempt as the friendly islanders greet you and paradise beckons you to explore. Elegant and quiet havens wait to enchant on a secluded island. Glide over swaying treetops and come within inches of a playful Green Monkey. Experience the tranquility of the Caribbean as it was meant to be; underneath the billowing white sails of a true sailing ship. Extend your stay with additional nights at the beautiful Royal Fairmont Pavilion.

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From Dartmouth to Oban, 11 Nights

Each day draws you to the fantastic history of this area and the incredible bird sightings that are possible – gannets, puffins, kittiwakes, razorbills and guillemots abound and perhaps you will spot the rare Corn Crake. The history is equally compelling - just imagine yourself back in these challenging days when eking out a living on this rugged coast was a challenge. From Bant’s Cairn in the Isles of Scilly to the black houses of St Kilda’s these remnants are a tribute to the people’s pre-Christian, Nordic, Celtic and feudal history.

DAILY ITINERARY:

The nature of expedition travel means that your Expedition Leader will be guided by factors like weather (wind and ice) when preparing each day’s schedule. While we make every effort to adhere to published itineraries, we cannot guarantee any specific excursion and all announced plans are subject to change. Keep in mind that unplanned changes frequently turn out to be the highlights of the trip. You will have a more enjoyable voyage if you are open to these unexpected experiences.

DAILY PROGRAM:

Each evening, the Expedition Leader and Captain, through their background and experience, will fine tune the following days’ itinerary. Once finalized, this itinerary will be posted outside each passenger cabin. This itinerary will include shore excursions, lectures, mealtimes and other shipboard activities. All items are subject to change due to weather.

Please note that the itinerary in the brochure is meant as only a guide to the region we will visit. Weather (and ice) will play a large part in the precise locations of our land and Zodiac excursions. Sometimes, we discover new landing places that have not been visited before, adding the element of exploration to our trip.

Your Expedition Leader will schedule briefing meetings as needed to update you on weather (and ice conditions), and upcoming destinations.

As part of the daily itinerary there is the daily recap. So much of what you will encounter on your adventure will be new and there is no way to predict what delights Mother Nature will put before you on any given day. These informal recap sessions, usually prior to dinner, will allow passengers and staff to discuss the events of the day. As everyone shares his or her experiences the conversation is entertaining and exceptionally informative.

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The small provincial capital of Siem Reap stretches along the Siem Reap river — surrounded by rice paddies and serving as the gateway to centuries-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Angkor Archaeological Park contains numerous temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and legendary Angkor Wat. Those visiting the site stay in Siem Reap. Experience some local flavor, attend a dance performance, or shop in some local craft shops. Angkor Wat's artistic and archaeological significance rivals the Pyramids in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India. Unspoiled by over-development, many areas of the area are possible to explore away from crowds. Its three-tiered massive pyramid is crowned by five beehive-like towers on the ground. It is the centerpiece of any visit to temples in Angkor. This amazing structure is thought to be dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

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Saying that Australians are casual doesn't begin to cover it. They are master artists whose craft is the "no worries" vibe, the same way the French work in pastry, the Swiss work in chocolate and the Japanese work in karaoke.

Which is why it shouldn't have been a surprise to step into the wheelhouse of the Murray Princess and find the captain, kicked back with biker shades on, steering the 950-ton vessel up the twisty, shallow River Murray with his right foot.

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