I think many of us are drawn to the mysterious. We like to wonder about things only half seen. And we all share a sense of curiosity. In fact, humans evolved to explore the unknown, because doing so helped us survive; to find food and shelter, and to learn how to adapt and thrive.
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Every landscape photographer knows the sense of disappointment, when the beauty and drama of the scene in front of them fails to come through in their images. We can capture the view, yes, but it’s harder to capture the feelings that view induces.
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On the final day of our expedition cruise we enjoyed enjoy a final walk on Spitsbergen and, as on every day of this trip, some special wildlife sightings. Our last full day on board started well, with a sighting of a large pod of beluga whales off the port bow.
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A more low-key day today, after the excitement of yesterday's polar bear encounter. But there were no dull days on this trip and today’s highlight was ticking off another of my Arctic wish-list animals, walruses. The ship travelled south-east during the night to the small island of Kvitoya, the easternmost one in the Svalbard archipelago.
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There is something about being amongst trees that speaks to all of us. Our deep-rooted (pun intended) appreciation of them spans cultures, geographies, and histories. Forests appear in the stories and myths of so many cultures, as mysterious places where both danger and magic can be found.
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There’s a lot to be said for not knowing where you want to go, especially when travelling. Whether in a city or in the country, whether somewhere shaped by man or in wild places, there’s a particular sense of anticipation as you follow a path without knowing where it is taking you.
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Whatever the weather, when travelling it would be a waste of a day to stay inside. And with the right clothing it’s always possible to get out and explore. I want to show how bad weather needn't throw you off course when travelling. How with the right attitude and a bit of flexibility, even a stormy day can be fun!
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While it is true that each of us can get something different from a picture, I think it is also the case with words. We often bring our own interpretation to them, do we not?
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The best travel books should leave you with a desire to visit the places they describe. Experiencing these journeys vicariously is a wonderful way to discover potential destinations, or to see ones you have already visited through fresh eyes. It is also a great way to see how all of us travel in different ways.
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There’s a temptation when we travel to try to cram everything in. To see every sight, explore every street and alleyway, visit every museum even! We fear we’ll go home and regret having missed something that others say is a must-see. Or worse perhaps, miss seeing that one thing that we could have been the first to discover and share.