Russian Binoculars
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 VTG BUSHNELL SPORTVIEW BINOCULARS 10 x 50 W LEATHER LIKE CASE  US $24.99
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 VTG HAMBLETONIAN 8x30 BINOCULARS W NECKSTRAP CASE US $19.99
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 COMPACT 7x18 83° BELL HOWELL BINOCULAR 123700 W POUCH US $14.99
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 2002 COMPACT 8x21 TASCO BINOCULAR 165RB W POUCH STRAP IOB US $12.99
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 Vintage Binoculars Charm Pin Token LotSomething4u US $3.99
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 RUSSIAN 8X30 MILITARY BINOCULARS SOIVET USSR US $39.90
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 FERNGLASER UND FERNROHRE BY HANS SEEGER BOOK 2002 EDITION US $185.00
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 500mm 1000mm Telephoto Lens Canon Rebel T1i T2i T3 T3i US $139.95
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 Russian CCCP 16x50mm Binoculars US $50.00
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 500mm 1000mm Telephoto Lens Nikon Digital SLR D3100 D3200 D5000 D5100 Camera US $139.95
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 Komz 8x30 БПЦ4 bnu Olympic edition USSR CCCP Russian Binoculars Mint condition US $110.57
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St Petersburg Opera Photo Mugs
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Night Owl Night Vision Tactical Goggles
Sale Price: $944.37 |
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Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)
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Bushnell Night Watch 2x24 w/Built in Infrared Monocular
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Night Owl Lightweight Night Vision Monocular (4x)
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Is Expedition Cruising For You?
In December 1985, as part of my new position with an expedition cruise company, I was put on a three week cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula, including the South Georgia group of Islands. Previous to that, my only cruise experience had been on a Holland America ship which brought me to my new home America in 1967.
We had a stopover in Santiago where we visited a wonderful hacienda, several miles outside of the city for a Chilean meal accompanied by a choice of Chilean wines and observing a number of riders on beautiful horses prancing around. The next day of our adventure, our chartered aircraft landed, quite close to the most southern trip of Chile, where we embarked the World Discoverer, forever my most favorite small ship. That ship, is no longer in service
As our cruise took place over the Christmas Holidays, there were only 70 or so passengers on board the ship, which normally had the capacity to carry 140 passengers. Our cabins were not luxurious, but certainly adequate, the public rooms comfortable and cozy and our lecturers were definitely top of the class. But what made the experience so exceptional is the ability of the smaller ships, of course in Antarctica with ice breaking capabilities, to come closer to shore. Thus with a pair of good binoculars, you are able to stay outside all day and night, if you prefer to cast your eyes upon the Antarctic's incredible landscape.
The second attraction of cruising expedition style is the ambiance on board. Within a few days you have met almost every one, sat with them in the lounge or in the zodiac during a landing, or enjoyed a lecture together, and shared a table in the dining room which offered open seating. There is an exchange of experiences, knowledge and plain old camaraderie.
Stops no matter where they were or what they were i.e. landings ashore or zodiac expeditions, carry with them the sense that everyone turns into an explorer. Sights are shared, enthusiasm is easily created, and the excitement of landing on a shore with thousands of foul smelling, yet exquisitely beautiful penguins, creates a forever picture, in your mind.
There is no sitting around on a cruise like that, there is always something happening. The fact that most of the time, the bridge is open, gives people a change to also get to know the officers and the crew a bit better. Never mind about the fun of forbidden participation in crew parties.
At present, I have cruised on various expedition vessels, three months through Indonesia as a part of the expedition team, through the Panama Canal, and also often over a period of six years in the Russian Far East, as a leader of expedition cruise development. In Indonesia and the South Pacific we landed almost at every small island crossing our route. On board of our cruises through Indonesia, we had the wonderful team of the Blair Brothers who had lived and explored Indonesia extensively, and shared with us, the essence of what Indonesia was all about, its people in small villages, warm, open and hospitable and obviously quite spiritual.
Two of my experiences though have stayed with me stronger than others. One was when we landed on an island that had never been visited before. Our expedition leader had gone ashore to ask for permission to land, which was given. Upon landing we were brought to the center of the small village, where they put on a dance performance at the spur of the moment, which they told us later was the first time they have performed in the last forty years. There were tears in their eyes, as well as in ours.
The other happened on a small isolated island, when I was walking back to the ship, and I heard some footsteps behind me. I turned around and an excited little man asked me if I was Dutch. When I agreed he put his arms around me and said, it has been such a long time, since I have seen Dutch people and I just wanted to say hello. Now mind you, I was told on the ship never to reveal my Dutch origins, as the Dutch have a kind of love-hate relationship with Indonesia and its people.
These kinds of experiences are one of a kind, but they happen often if you go where few have gone before. Expedition travel through the use of zodiacs can bring you to shores and villages that might not have seen foreigners before. Now I can think of a few people, who would say, that as a foreigner you might be intruding and leaving perhaps impressions which may cause disharmony. This certainly is a good question. But most expedition cruse companies are aware of their impact, and the expedition leaders and staff are always prudent in asking permission to land, and wherever possible leaving something behind showing their concern for the living environment of the people who live there On Bering Island, for example, a very poor island positioned between Alaska and Kamchatka (Russia), blankets were donated to the local community. This was done upon their request. Also passengers collected funds on board of the vessel to support the local museum. On Indonesian cruises, the doctor on board of the ship when there was time on many islands would see after those who wanted his attention.
So what is the profile of an expedition cruiser then? It is any person who wants to learn and have a chance to see and experience cultures and nature far away from the inhabited world. It is someone who while cruising expect a certain ambiance, good food and good company, but prizes the gaining of knowledge and experience most of all. It is a person who likes to use his or her time ashore to discover endemic plants, visit small villages and be invited to have tea or something else to eat, sits on the deck to see incredible scenery go by, close up. Come home richer not alone with beautiful pictures of the trip, but also impressions on their souls they will never forget.
About the Author
Aaltje van Zoelen is an explorer at heart, she is the General Manager for World Wise Ecotourism Network, which creates and markets eco friendly international journeys all over the world. She also serves as a part time consultant to various small cruise lines, such as Oceanwide Expeditions. She is also an expert on nature and culture based travel to and in East Russia (www.traveleastrussia.com). You can reach her at eastrus@gmail.com
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