This was described in the tours brochure “as a unique opportunity to see the majestic White Tailed Sea Eagle while enjoying the spectacular natural surroundings”, it also mentioned that the safari would be aboard a fast Zodiac rib – see photo – that survival suits would be worn, insurance waivers would be required and we were likely to meet wave conditions, it did not, however, mention that a major feature of the excursion would be to take the Zodiac through one of the strongest tidal races in the world!! Well by now you will have realised that I returned safely from this very exhilarating trip!!
Waves there were not, the sea was flat calm and the sky was a brilliant blue, survival suits there were which took some getting into and we were also required to wear a lie jacket, hats and goggles! I didn’t have to wear all this gear in the Antarctic probably because once landed on an Antarctic beach you would have had to walk like an astronaut on the moon, so not so good for tripping round angry fur seals or a bull elephant seal coming at you at a speed faster than you can run. Neither did we have to sign insurance waiver since the company running the safari – Stella Polaris – had full insurance cover which probably explains why the trip was so expensive but worth every penny.
The most frightening thing about this excursion was climbing down the 45-degree walkway to the Zodiac craft but all made this challenge safely and we climbed aboard to sit across two parallel raised rubber ridges with metal bars to hold in front – again see the photo. This seating position reminded me of my recent camel ride in Tunisia earlier this year although a little more comfortable and you didn’t have the following camel’s head under your armpit, just the camera lens of the person behind in your back. Wielding a long telescopic lens did prove a little tricky but you can judge by the photos.
Our first encounter with an object in flight was not a White Tailed Sea Eagle but two F-16 fighters taking off from the base that ran alongside the harbour and which roared overhead at a thousand feet. Our Guide told us that these two jets were part of the Norwegian Royal Airforce Rapid Response Squadron and would be on their way to the North Cape to intercept Russian aircraft probing and testing the Norwegian and NATO defences – a daily occurrence evidently.
More thrills were to come, however, as we made for the Maelstrom.
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