More and more people are venturing off to visit The White Continent of Antarctica. Cruise ship departures from Ushuaia, Argentina are at an all time high giving rise to massive renovation and investment in the town’s infrastructure. But after the incident last November involving the expeditionary ship the Explorer; environmentalists are questioning how wise it is to have so many commercial ships in an area that is so fragile and potentially dangerous. In response, Lan Chile airlines offers an over flight. Departing from Punta Arenas, Chile, the 6 hour tour allows passengers onboard the AB300 to glimpse a little of Antarctica – weather permitting.

Every once in a while, this job has its benefits and most gratefully, I was allowed to accompany our group as an escort. Prior to departure a naturalist gave a very well delivered overview on Antarctica and its fauna. We were then taken to the airport where guests from the Seven Seas Mariner joined guests from the Holland-America ship the Prinsendam. As is the case with every flight, we did not know until arrival to the airport whether or not weather conditions would allow us to fly. However, luck was on our side and we took off. Once airborne everyone was given a menu of our in-flight service which started off with Pisco Sours. The mood onboard was jovial; everyone had a window seat and no one was seated over the wing except – the escorts – who did not complain.

Once crossing the Drake Passage we flew over Cape Horn and on toward the Weddell Sea. Down through the clouds huge tabular ice bergs started to appear as we neared the Weddell Peninsula. Weather was good so we the pilot took the plane down through the clouds. We passed over a Chilean research station and then banked across Danger Island. In the distance I could see the arc of the peninsula and couldn’t help thinking of Ernest Shackelton and his men who were marooned on Elephant Island just to the north. We passed low over Paulet Island, low enough to see huge rookeries of Adele penguins. On our return I asked the pilot just how low we were flying and he said at the lowest point we were about 1,000’ above the island – pretty impressive!

Just as we were getting ready to make a course change toward another island the notoriously unpredictable Antarctic weather moved in. Within minutes we were surrounded in clouds and wind. The pilot climbed to clear skies. Our total time viewing time was a little over an hour.

The flight was exhilarating; the pilot was excellent. The service onboard was ample and gracious. The plane was reconfigured for maximum viewing comfort. But was it worth it? I guess it depends on how much $1,700 represents to you. Though I am among those who are concerned about the impact of cruise ships in Antarctic waters, nothing beats being there – the immense, incomprehensible size of the ice; the color; and the stillness. Were I to choose I would have to say that I would rather save my money and apply the $1,700 toward an Antarctic cruise but if this were my only chance to see The Great White Continent – then yes definitely – if you can afford it – go!

For those of you who thought that gone were the days when you could “hop a freighter” sailing from port to port around the world in an unfettered style, fear not. Container ships have replaced freighters. For more information, you will not want to miss the article that recently appeared on msn.com. It gives you all the information you need to find out more on this option to cruising.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17914533/

If your idea of adventure is sampling the local cocktail in the closest port bar, then trekking through Maya ruins may not be for you. Not the typical “cruise ship shore excursion” trips to these fascinating sites are available from Caribbean ports in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

On a recent stop in Guatemala, guests of the Seven Seas Mariner had the opportunity to visit the crème de la crème of the Classic Maya world – Tikal, Copan and Quirigua. Upon the approach to Guatemala’s Peten region, the roof combs of Tikal’s temples tower above the tree line. If the sight looks familiar it may be because it was used in the opening scene of the original Star Wars! Visitors to the site are amazed to its extent; the largest Maya city-state yet to found, Tikal supported a population some estimate to be over 200,000 inhabitants. One day is time only to whet one’s appetite for a future visit. Quirigua is the closest site to the port of Santo Tomas de Castillo and can be reached by car or bus. Within the site is an excellent collection of stela – the carved columns that depict dynastic rulers and their hieroglyphic text. Those with walking difficulties will appreciate the level surface throughout the site and its accessibility. Finally, Copan; acclaimed as the “Paris of the Maya world” the site is rich in deep-relief carving and sculpture. In recent years Copan has contributed much to the understanding of the Maya thanks to the archaeological work done by Ricardo Agurcia, Bill Fash and Robert Sharer. Perfectly preserved amidst the core of Temple 16, a replica of the Rosalia Temple is on display in the new Sculpture Museum. As an added bonus, many of the tunnels used by archaeologists are open to the public.

For those seriously interested in learning more about the Maya; mark your calendars for June 14 – 16, 2007, when the III International Congress will meet in Copan. This year’s theme: The Art of Power in the Mundo Maya. Included on the schedule of events in a Mundo Maya Culinary Festival! For more information contact www.copancongress.com.

Everyone knows about Carnaval but what the heck is “Boi Bumba?” Celebrated in the town of Parintins (population 100,000) located on the Amazon River in the state of Pará, it is fast becoming one of Brazil’s most popular local celebrations complete with elaborate costumes and fantasy floats.

Boi Bumba means,“Charge the bull,” and originated as a rural festival. It is held the last weekend in June. The story goes that a wealthy rancher gave his trusted farm hand a prized bull for his care. The farmhand’s pregnant wife became overwhelmed with cravings for (of all things) a taste of the bull’s tongue. So the obedient husband killed the bull and waited for the impeding punishment of the rancher. However, before telling his boss, the farmhand employs the help of a local shaman who manages to resurrect the bull and they all live happily ever after.

But wait - there’s more! The story is played out in town by two competing teams that are represented by a red bull (Garantido) and a blue bull (Caprichoso). During the weeklong festival, the teams compete in the Bumbadromo Stadium. The bigger and better presentation wins the title of reigning team.

As Boi Bumba becomes more popular not just within Brazil but also worldwide, the pageantry is becoming more spectacular. New characters and choreographed dances have been added. With domestic jet service into Parintins from Manaus, the town is full and hotels rooms are booked a year in advance. For more information on Boi Bumba contact www.boibumba.com.

How many times have I been asked which cruise offers the best way to see and experience the Amazon? If you are not ready to string up a hammock on a local riverboat but you do want to get closer to nature than from what can be seen on a large cruise ship – have I got a trip for you!

Its the M/V IberoStar. Last year for the first time I saw the IberoStar docked in Manaus. I was gob-stopped! A 4 star shallow draft expeditionary riverboat it has 72 air-conditioned cabins, some with sliding glass doors leading to a spacious balcony. There are two restaurants, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center and internet access. However, most importantly it carries five zodiacs for up close and personal exploration of tributaries with pre-excursions lectures by naturalists specializing in Amazonian flora and fauna. It took everything for me to resist jumping ship – I would love to work in that environment!

The IberoStar offers three and four night programs out of Manaus. Itineraries are complimentary and can be combined back-to-back for a one week cruise. For more information contact: www.iberostar.com or my friends at www.ladatco.com.

Here at home winter’s cold is starting to set in; however down south – way down south – spring has sprung and summer is not far behind. South of the equator in the temperate zones below the tropics, climate is exactly like ours only in reverse. For some it’s hard to imagine that places within South America contain landscapes reminiscent of the fertile plains and prairies of North America and the spectacular, glacially created fjords of Scandinavia. More than a dozen cruise ships will be setting sail south to explore this fascinating continent. However, luxury ships are not the only option for cruising in South America.

The southern portion of the 2,700 mile long coastline of the incomparably beautiful, shoestring country of Chile is best explored by sea. Here the Andes, the longest mountain range in the world, plunge precipitously into the Pacific Ocean forming a perilous coastline of uncharted bays and inlets defined by rocky cliffs. The Humboldt Current races up from Antarctica bringing cold water and bitter winds that strip the land bare of vegetation. All but the hardiest species survive. Unlike areas in the northern hemisphere, Southern Chile lacks terrestrial wildlife. However the area abounds in sea birds and marine mammals.

One of the best ways of getting “up close and personal” in the fjords of Chile is by experiencing them from the decks of a Navimag ferry. Navimag (Navigaciones Magallanes) has been in business since 1979.The ships are a combination ferry, cargo, mail and passenger service transporting walk on day-travelers, overnight guests, as well as cars, trucks, and even livestock. The fleet of 2 vessels departs from Puerto Montt. From here they serve a handful of small towns not normally accessed by large cruise ships. Because of their size and draft, Navimag can cruise along channels too shallow for big ships giving passengers a closer look at nature. You’ll be hard-pressed to see any vestige of human habitation along the way.

Onboard life is not six-star; you won’t find chocolates on your pillow or evening entertainment. Overnight guests wishing a bed can pay for a private cabin with bath or a bunk with shared restroom facilities. For those not wishing a bed, there are plenty of chairs and deck space for tents and sleeping bags. Food is cafeteria style and there is a sitting room for quiet reading. But who wants to be inside when condors are soaring overhead and glaciers are on the horizon?

For those travelers looking for an adventure, I suggest Navimag. Your adventure will begin once you reach the breathtaking Lake District and end in Puerto Natales gateway to the spectacular peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. This is a special part of the world still pristine; untouched by the outside world. For more information contact www.navimag.com.

For those of us who for decades have advocated travel to South America, it comes as no surprise that the post 9/11 world is realizing the Western Hemisphere south of the border is a vast and beautiful land of safe and inviting destinations. There are many advantages to cruising South America; diverse ports of call, exotic cultures; spectacular scenery; one of a kind experiences; world class cities; sophisticated resorts; great shopping; unique flora and fauna, etc. … all this under sunny summer skies while back home North America is covered by winter’s blanket of cold and dark. For many even the time zone is the same minimizing jet-lag; and no trans-oceanic flights!

This winter season (2006/2007) over ten cruise lines will offer cruises to South America! That is a far cry for just a few years ago when only a handful of ships ventured south of the equator. Today cruisers are taking advantage of everything from great weather to great exchange rates.

Most popular South American cruise experiences include sailing the Amazon River – largest river in the world and circumnavigating legendary Cape Horn! Top destinations; where else? Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires! But don’t forget many cruises begin and end in strategic ports allowing travelers to visit more remote areas like Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, and Iguasu Falls, in pre and post-cruise excursions. For more information on excursions ashore contact the experts at Ladatco (www.ladatco.com). After thirty years in business, no one knows South America better!

For those contemplating a cruise to South America, don’t forget your, “The Cruiser Friendly Onboard Guide.” As noted earlier, I am putting the finishing touches on three new books about the area!