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THE white continent
M
y amazing journey to Antarctica started from Ushuaia, Argentina onboard the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, a Russian vessel originally designed for research and now operated as a passenger ship by One Ocean Expeditions.We were about 60 passengers from Australia, Canada, UK, China, and the US. About 40-50 Russian crew and a couple of penguin researchers also travelled with us. There were also expedition staff which included an international team of wildlife experts, bird watchers, professional photographers, adventure concierges, a glaciologist and historian. They began the trip with a deatiled briefing, as we crossed the unusually calm Drake Passage. Fortunately, a brilliant Antarctic summer allowed us two daily excursions, where we explored different regions, returning to our vessel to sleep and eat (as a vegetarian, I was very well fed). On one night we even camped out. We sailed alongside albatrosses, saw humpback whales, slept close to penguins, and observed seals. Sunrise and sunset in this icy landscape with its icebergs, glaciers, and glasslike waters was simply unforgettable. -Vibhor Aggarwal
Everyone travels and many write about travelling but
I want to tell the readers of National Geographic Traveller about an unusual travel experience I had this January when I visited the Vadapalani
temple in Chennai during their Thaipusam annual festival. This festival involves a 48-day penance by men and women and on the final day devotees of Lord Murugan offer him yellow or orange coloured fruit and flowers, since that is believed to be his favourite colour. Devotees carry milk and water in pails hung from a yoke on their shoulders to various Murugan temples while some even torture their body with piercings to appease the lord. I also saw many devotees enter a trance due to the incessant drumming and chanting of “vel vel shakti vel”. -Mohan Krishnan
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-Munna Jayakrishnan
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I noticed that things are a bit different with National Geographic Traveller. Every time I begin to read, I get so lost in your stories that it makes me want to grow wings and fly away to those places immediately. I realised that your writers travel and write about each experience with their heart. I hope that for a day, I will be able to do the same. -Munna Jayakrishnan
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APRIL 2013 | national Geographic Traveller INDIA 11
Vibhor Aggarwal (penguins), pndtphoto/Flickr/Getty images (boats)
Being a regular reader of National Geographic magazine since 1992, it was highly gratifying to start my membership for Traveller. Going through my copy of the February of the Elephant Issue. Rachel Dwyer’s article shows her mastery of the knowledge of elephants. “Rocking Goa” by Arundhati Ray reminded me of a similar, lesser-known pre-historic garda rock painting destination near Bundi in Rajasthan. Thank you for these experiences. -Dr. P.S. Ranawat