Galapagos of the Southern Ocean: Subantarctic Islands

“What an adventure”

“Hi Lorna and Heritage Expedition voyage 1567 Staff Well, home now and settling back into some sort of routine. What an adventure.... I am not fibbing when I say the trip exceeded my expectations by a million miles. It was fabulous. Rodney, you said the night of the dinner before we left that we might encounter some discomforts on the trip but they would all be forgotten and well worth it due to all the positives and the great time you will have. Mmmmmm I was thinking....what are we in for!!! I just loved the challenge, the adventure, the flora, the fauna and the friendships. I was so lucky to have met such a lovely group of ladies. Even the wild weather was part of the experience. Firstly thank you Lorna for all your help and advice prior to the trip. You were very patient with me (and to many others I heard). I must admit I was rather apprehensive before the trip wondering if I had done the right thing. I could have gone to many other places in the world for that amount of money...did I choose the right place....could I manage by myself....would I meet anyone nice...would I be by myself on the ship etc. etc. I know I certainly did make the right choice. Without your kindness and help, I may not have gone ahead with the trip and chickened out. Jess....what a gem. Thank you Jess. Always smiling and helpfull and organised. I won't forget those early morning wake up calls..."good morning everyone....it's now 7.30....breakfast will be ready...." I'll employ you anytime Jess. Thanks Connor our wonderful cook. You always had our delicious meals ready on time. Very caring...... Always friendly and polite. Your Mum would be proud of you. To Tui thank you for your informative and interesting talks. Two of my highlights on the trip were seeing those two magnificent albatross close up with you on the Campbell Island board walk (I just loved being there in those wet/windy/misty cold conditions....it was like I was the only person on earth and I had time to reflect on who I was and what a wonderful and magical world it can be), and also being on Macquarie Island where the Royal penguins were swimming in the rock pool. You were filming them with your underwater camera. My favourite photo is of you doing so with two royals posing for my photo right in front of me...you in the background. And Kartya (not sure of spelling...sorry). Your talks so very informative and interesting also. Thanks for your company on the bus on the way to Bluff. Hope you had a fabulous skating adventure. Alex....boy, do you know your stuff. All those megaherbs. You just rattle the names off your tongue like you were speaking them since you were born. Very much your passion. I didn't think too much about the megaherbs/flora before I left.....just the wildlife to be honest......but you gave me a new insight into just how beautiful they all are. It was like being in the garden of Eden. And of course, our leader Rodney. No nonsense, organised, informative...one always felt safe. Can still see that poor Sea Lion on Campbell Island, having a lovely roll on the grass and then rolling off the wall and into the water. So funny...hope he didn't hurt himself. Just so many memories. Where to next??? Thank you all. Kind regards ”

Laurelle