Brando Quinn

<p>Brando Quinn of Brando’s Fun N’ Sun Travel an Independent Affiliate of the Avoya Travel Network recently returned from an Exploration Journey to Antarctica aboard the Atlas Voyages “World Traveller” luxurious cruise ship. </p>
<p>Quinn’s goal has been to visit all 7 Continents and so it was fitting that he would visit Antarctica known as the 6th Continent during January 2024 the Antarctica Summer.  “I’ve visited Asia, Africa, in North America 49 of the U.S. States and Canada, South America including Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile & Argentina, Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, and more.  Next year, Australia my 7th Continent. </p>
<p>My journey began from Phoenix to Buenos Aires Argentina aboard American Airlines, a One World Allianz Partner, and I was fortunate to be upgraded to first class.  “Americans first-class accommodations were great as they have a cubicle and the seating can lie down for a bed, the service was great, and the pilots always competent with a safe take-off and smooth landing.” said Quinn. I arrived in Buenos Aires rested and ready to see some of the sites in this beautiful South American City!  After resting for the night we were flown on a charter flight to Ushuaia to board our ship.</p>
<p>“Crossing the Drake Passage between Cape Horn Chile and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica is considered one of the most treacherous voyages for a ship to make. Waves can reach 40 feet and it has the reputation of being the most powerful convergence of oceans in the world!” said Quinn. It took us about 2 days to cross, and despite my preparations for seasickness, I got seasick both days and spent most of the day in my comfortable cabin hoping to arrive in Antarctica very soon. During the two days at sea, we were also briefed on what to expect when we arrived, what the daily events would be, and the crew fitted us for our Winter Boots and Winter Parkas which are all supplied by Atlas Voyages.  </p>
<p>The welcome arrival in Bongrain Point was a site to behold, “I felt like I had arrived on a different planet!” Quinn stated, “The beauty of the Ice, snow capped peaks, Icebergs floating on the water, the Sun in the sky 24 hours a day, the Penguins, Seals, Birds, Whales and wildlife all combined to make this experience breathtaking.”</p>
<p>We began each day doing a “Landing” which consisted of each group loading into smaller boats called “Zodiacs” that would take us from the Ship onto the Shore for 2-3 hours, where we could mingle with the Wildlife and take in the immense wilderness of the region, while the Scientists onboard could check PH Water balances, test for magnetic variances, and monitor the weather conditions for the voyage. Each afternoon we were given the opportunity again to ride in a “Zodiac” through the icy bays and mingle with the swimming penguins, seals and wildlife, or Kayak with the whales, seals, etc. And then each evening our director would give us a briefing on the day’s events and let us know what to expect for the following day. Evening meals were delightful, as well as the entertainment onboard</p>
<p>Wildlife was abundant in the region and over the course of our 11 Night Voyage we encountered, Kelp Gull’s, Antarctic Tern’s, Brown Skua’s, South Polar Skua’s, Antarctic Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Long Finned Pilot Whales, Antarctic Fur Seals, Crabeater Seals, Leopard Seals, Southern Elephant Seals, Weddel Seals, Adelie Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Black-browned Albatross, Gray Headed Albatross, Snowy Wandering Albatross, Light Mantled Albatross, Southern Giant Petrels, Southern Fulmar Petrels, Cape Petrels, White Chinned Petrels, and More!</p>
<p> Our voyage took us from Bongrain Point to Horseshoe Island where we were able to visit a British Research Station built in the late 1950s, a Historic Site Monument managed by the UK Antarctica Heritage Trust, and then onto Jenny Island discovered by French Antarctica Explorer Jean Baptiste Charcot in 1908-1910.  Our temperatures ranged from -1°C to 0°C, however our Atlas Supplied Parkas and boots kept us warm. We then took a turn to Lagoon Island which is the northernmost of the Leonie Islands and the entrance to Ryder Bay on the southeast side of Adelaide Island also discovered by French Explorer Jean-Baptist Charcot.  Here we were given the option of doing a Polar Plunge into the icy waters to the delight of about half of the ship’s guests. We then headed to Port Charcot through the Lemaire channel where the waters were as still as a lake and kayaking was a breeze, and then onto Flandres Bay lying between Cape Renard and Cape Willems explored in 1898 by Belgian Explorers under Gerlache who named it after the historical are of Flanders.  </p>
<p>Interested in learning more about an expedition cruise, please contact Brando Quinn (928) 322-3271 or [email protected]</p>
<p>https://gilaherald.com/an-epic-antarctica-exploration-cruise-aboard-the-atlas-voyages-world-traveler-with-brando-quinn/</p>