Penguin-spotting in Antarctica is one of the highlights of an expedition cruise to the world's highest, driest and coldest continent.
Home to several species of the flightless birds, with half of the world's 18 species of penguin found on Antarctic coasts and sub-Antarctic islands, the region is gaining in popularity as travellers seek seeing animals in the wild.
Luxury cruise operator Panache Cruises says it has seen a boom in bookings for penguin spotting tours, a trend that it has called "the Sir David Attenborough effect".
“The popularity of David Attenborough’s TV programmes has brought the wonders of penguins to our living rooms and now thousands of us want to see them in their natural habitats," said James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises.
"Embarking on an expedition cruise to Antarctica is a great way for wildlife-lovers to see the nature in all its glory while enjoying a hassle-free organised tour."
Expedition cruising is one way that nature lovers can access some of the world's remotest areas, and Panache's small ships are designed to have minimal impact on the delicate environment in which they operate. For travellers keen to spot a penguin in the wild, the company has revealed the seven best places to catch a glimpse of the flightless birds.
1. Antarctic Peninsula
Stretching out more than 1,500km towards the tip of South America, the Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the continent. It's also one of the most popular and accessible destinations in the region, where travellers will find the greatest variety of wildlife species and the most breathtaking scenery. One of The Peninsula's main attractions is its abundance of penguins, seals and seabirds. It's also the warmest region of the continent, so its where many research stations set up base.
2. Antarctic Sound
Only 15kms wide at its narrowest part, the Antarctic Sound is a channel at the north-eastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula. Also known as Iceberg Alley, it connects the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea and is one of the best places in the region to see Adelie penguins as more than 135,000 breeding pairs live on Hope Bay. The Sound is also a good place to spot large Emperor penguins, seals and whales.
3. Penguin Island
Given its name, it's no surprise this tiny isle is one of the best spots for penguin enthusiasts. Named during an 1820 British expedition because of the vast numbers of penguins that could be seen along its shoreline from the ship as it passed by, the 2km long island is also called Georges Island and is one of the smallest of Antarctic's South Shetland Islands.
It's a nesting and breeding place for Adelie penguins and the often gregarious chinstrap penguins. The animals are protected by a 100-person limit on the shore and visitors are not allowed to roam freely, but guided excursions are offered, including to the 170 metre cone of Deacon Peak, an inactive volcano.
4. Elephant Island
Elephant Island gets its name from the large elephant seals that live there, but it's also home to colonies of gGentoo penguins and nesting chinstrap penguins. Entirely remote, ice-covered and mountainous, the island is one of the most desolate locations in the world, lying 250 kms off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This place is a must-go for polar enthusiasts as this is where Ernest Shackleton and his Endurance expedition crew took refuge for several months in 1916.
5. Deception Island
Deception Island in the middle of the South Shetland Islands is one of the world's most unique tourist destinations. It is a ring-shaped island with a massive crater at its centre, formed by a volcanic eruption. Part of the crater has collapsed, leaving a natural harbour-like formation that's popular with marine life of all sorts.
It's also home to one of the world's largest colony of penguins, with more than 100,000 breeding pairs. The volcano on the island is still active and hot clouds of steam often rise above the shoreline of the black sandy beaches. Travellers can also go swimming here, as the water is warm despite the region's sub-zero temperatures.
6. South Georgia
"The Attenborough effect" is perhaps at its strongest in South Georgia, where the British broadcaster narrates the region's visitors guide. Known as the "Gateway to Antarctic", South Georgia is located 2,000 kms off the tip of South America, surrounded entirely by the southern Atlantic Ocean.
The region is recognised for its biological importance, biodiversity and breeding populations of seabirds and marine mammals, including petrels, seals, whales, albatross and plenty of penguins. The region has featured in several documentary series, including Frozen Planet, Blue Planet and Planet Earth.
7. Drake Passage
Named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake, despite the fact he never sailed through his namesake waters, the Drake Passage provides a connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Known for its rough seas and one of the primary routes to Antarctica, it's also where travellers can spot a variety of marine life. Its waters are rich in plankton, which attracts whales, seals and ever-popular emperor penguins.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard
2/5
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Company%20profile
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More on Quran memorisation:
The five pillars of Islam
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
More coverage from the Future Forum
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Barbie
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More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
RIDE%20ON
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Company%20profile
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The%20specs
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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