The first zodiacs leave the ship for an exploration of the coast.
THE SNARES
24 November 2007
The Spirit of Enderby reaches The Snares (also called Snares Islands) early in the morning. Because of the unique ecosystem found on the island, with many endemic species not present in any other part of the world, it is not permitted to land on the island, but only to do a zodiac cruise along part of the coast.
(Click on a picture to see an enlarged version)
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The first zodiacs leave the ship for an exploration of the coast. |
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The typical vegetation of The Snares includes Olearia lyallii and about 20 endemic species, part of an unique ecosystem. |
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A colony of Snares Crested penguin. They like to form their colonies over steep rocks, where they climb jumping from stone to stone. |
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Pictures of Snares Crested penguins, with their elegant feathers on the head. |
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A large group of penguins are foraging out onto sea. |
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Group of penguins return from the sea, while others depart. It is now time to go back to the ship and continue the journey southward. |
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PICTURES |
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CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch can be considered the main access gate for a trip to New Zealand South Island. It is a beautiful city with many green parks and museums. The city hosts also the International Antarctic Centre, the main gateway to Antarctica for scientists and researchers. GO. |
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FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO QUEENSTOWN A trip by bus from Christchurch to Queenstown offers beautiful views on the Southern Alps, mount Cook, lake Tekapo and lake Pukaki. GO. |
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MILFORD FROM QUEENSTOWN Milford sound is situated on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island and is a beautiful fjord with mountain sides falling straight into the ocean. Getting here by bus from Queenstown is a nice option, for the beauty of the scenery crossed during the 13 hours roundtrip. GO. |
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DUNEDIN AND THE SPIRIT OF ENDERBY From Queenstown I reach Dunedin by bus in about five hours. After a short city tour of Dunedin, I board the Spirit of Enderby, a russian cruise ship carrying 48 passengers, that is about to sail south to the sub-antarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia for the next 13 days. GO. |
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THE SNARES <YOU ARE HERE> 24 November 2007 The Spirit of Enderby reaches The Snares (also called Snares Islands) early in the morning. Because of the unique ecosystem found on the island, with many endemic species not present in any other part of the world, it is not permitted to land on the island, but only to do a zodiac cruise along part of the coast. |
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AUCKLAND ISLANDS 25-26 November 2007 The Auckland archipelago is a group of New Zealand subantarctic islands, featured by an unique vegetation and fauna, including several endemic species that cannot be found elsewhere. During the cruise, we will visit Enderby and Auckland islands. GO. |
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MACQUARIE ISLAND - SANDY BAY 28 November 2007 Macquarie island, belonging to Australia and isolated from the rest of the world by thousands of kilometers of water in any direction, is the home for millions of penguins, including the endemic Royal penguin, as well elephant seals. The first landing is made at Sandy Bay. GO. |
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MACQUARIE ISLAND - ANARE BASE AND LUSITANIA BAY 29 November 2007 The exploration of Macquarie island continues, today with a landing in the australian ANARE scientific base and then with a zodiac cruise along Lusitania bay, where there is one of the largest King penguin colony of the world. GO. |
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CAMPBELL ISLAND 1-2 December 2007 Campbell island is the New Zealand's southernmost subantarctic territory and has a unique ecosystem, hosting more species than any other subantarctic island, except Crozet. There are six species of Albatross, the rare Hookerii sea lion, yellow eyed penguins and an unique flora. GO. |
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