OmanTurtle Encounter on School Trip

Silent we were, as we stood behind this wonderful greenback turtle as she gently covered her eggs in the moonlight on the beach at Ras al Jinz. We were there to witness this amazing spectacle on the Oman coast at the research centre for the Greenback turtles. The energy it took for each sweep of the flipper as she took her last motherly act was impressive.    

 

Once covered, the eggs, and then the baby turtles would be completely on their own to battle against predators and to take that long journey to the sea. The little turtles follow light to lead them to the sea and we watched as the tiny little turtle launched itself off the 8ft sand bank to drop into the sea whilst a large white crab was patrolling – it escaped and now began its life’s journey.

 

We, that is myself, Dan - Manager of the Schools programme, and Charlotte - Assitant Manager were in Oman on an inspection visit before launching this incredible destination.  A visit to this Research Centre is part of our school trip programme to Oman which we have just launched. Find out more about this amazing Middle East country. Register now for information on our inaugural teacher inspection trip at study@discovertheworld.co.uk

 

 Lorraine

Iceland Video - now is the best time to travel!

Here at Discover the World we all LOVE the recent video just posted on Inspired By Iceland!  Take a look below - very reminiscent of Bjork's video - fantastic to see some of that stunning Icelandic scenery and everyone having fun! Spread the word that now is a fantastic time to visit Iceland!

Inspired by Iceland Video from Inspired by Iceland on Vimeo.

Snap, crackle and pop in the Arctic

Hoping to fulfil a schoolgirl dream to see a polar bear in the wild I set off on the Around Spitsbergen voyage in August with hope in my heart but not an expectation.  I had heard all the stories of the disappearing polar bears.  Imagine how my heart beat when we had a close up encounter that exceeded my wildest dreams.  Five meters away from the Akademik Shokalskiy was the healthiest polar bear, as curious of us as we were in him. It was a wonderous sight as the bear just ambled towards us from the horizon past the bearded seal, who took evasive action as the bear approached. We all held our breath as he took an enormous leap over the ice that had cracked in front of the ship a truly awe inspiring sight.  Disappearing into the distance with the sun low on the horizon.

But the arctic is more than this – as we entered into the ice strewn sea the air was full of snap, crackle and pop as the bubbles in the ice popped away as they melted in the Arctic summer sun.  We cruised along in the zodiacs surrounded by this rice crispy moment with everybody quiet as we listened to this living ice all around us.

And there is so much more that is the Arctic – I’ll save that for another day….