The Big Red Corner

Navigators in the desert - Kuwait

At the edge of Mesopotamia - one of the cradles of civilization over 4,000 years ago to establish a nation that would become one of the first who chose the sea to facilitate trade.

Their connection but endless blue stretches deeper into the mists of time - the time when, 7,000 years ago, the first boats in the world, built of reeds, crossed the Persian Gulf.

Millennia later, the site of a fishing village, was born in Kuwait found that while a strategic point on the main transit route between India and Middle East.

In the early twentieth century, attracted by its commercial importance, the British Empire annexed Kuwait under the guise of a "protectorate". Fresh discovery of huge oil reserves but also drew strong investors in the United States, resulting in a devastating war.

Over, the night Kuwaiti territory, deep darkness desert is rarely pierced by the dim light of a few urban settlements, the windings highways nearly full moon illuminated red-yellow flames and the oil wells.

Scorching sun and dry heat are ready to engulf us when we leave the hotel cool, but we are saved by the air conditioning buses often makes us think more northern latitudes.

With so much oil in underground fuel price is symbolic, and traffic jams are common due to the increased number of cars - Ford's and GMC's, real mini "tank" on wheels.

Local streets but rarely meet Indians and Filipinos are everywhere. But our dilemma is explained: all businesses are owned by government, but by birth residents are entitled to free education (including scholarships through this abroad), nursing, a house and a job in the government system. Therefore, Indians are employed to solve the daily labor dues and Filipino nannies take care of children. These benefits have not yet made ​​to look traditional oriental hospitality.

Learning that we used transport buses, and the locals seem surprised by our choice tear lines like "Why do not you take a taxi? We never use buses only expats use them "and are invited to take a ride with them to discover the city.

Their recommendations regarding places to visit consist of shopping malls.

"- To build a new mall, worth it to visit!
- But something through the historic center? Any mosque? Bazaar?
- Mmmm ... no, but we have another mall, luxurious ... "

At our insistence, the old town begins to unfolds. Old Souq Al-Hareem - core old Oriental bazaar broken stories in Bedouin women selling their goods quiet colors, contrasts sharply with additional skyscrapers that soar to the sky high.

Two steps, Safety Palace - the seat of government, its lazy stretches buildings built like small fortresses guarded by palm crown old, secular port device being Souk Sharq through menacing barbed wire fence which insulate the past like the present.
In the shadow of all modern buildings with dozens of floors, old harbor crowded with fishing boats, their lives may last moments in modern pressing furiously ignoring the past.

Arctic and Antarctic Rapapatatierra beyond the Beagle Channel

Ushuaia, end of the world has fascinated me since the arrival. A blue-green vastness envelops your eyes and immerse yourself in gloomy silence dreamland. From time to time, the scream of a bird flying on the Beagle canal makes May shudder. The first stop here was the port. No vessels or the recreational truck caught my eye, but some built something special. I was told that they are special vessels, for cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica.

Beagle Channel trip introduced me to the fascinating world of Arctic waters and their fauna and also me made ​​me wonder how it is and you can see the movement of special vessels seen in the harbor. I had to know the answer to Andres, local guide, who had been in such expedition and have unforgettable memories. I was with him on the Beagle canal, the vastness and beauty of the fascinating landscape before us. "In the world of ice cruise you have unique moments that you can not ever forget them.'ll Be a blessed man of God, if you navigate those waters," he began his plea.

"Boarding is, as you see here in the harbor. You'll meet the crew and specialists who are your companions throughout the trip. Afterward, start surfing the Beagle channel, put through the incintatorul MacKinlay Pass by Drake Strait, named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who passed through these places in 1578. Drake Strait is the point that marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold, polar, warmer water is encountered, the north. place is very rich in nutrients that support the region's biodiversity. Moreover, Strait represents the northern limit of many Antarctic birds.'ll be delighted by the multitude and variety of species of birds will accompany you.

The first icebergs ice mountains that I will see you will announce that you are in the South Shetland Islands, a group of islands and islets discovered in 1819 by Captain William Smith, of the brig Williams. There you go down to the boat to get acquainted with the penguins, seals and sea lions present in the area. Shetland Islands are a haven for these creatures. It is a dream, a delight to browse through narrow passages by Deception Island and from there to King George Island, the largest, which houses Adelie penguin colonies and nests and Chinstrap, blue-eyed cormorants, Kelp gulls and many other birds . It is also the headquarters of several scientific research bases of several countries.

The journey then takes you to the island of Livingston, where he will meet the already notorious big elephants and penguins, Adelie and Chinstrap, Gentoo penguins but also new and Macaroni. It then reaches the Antarctic peninsula, which offers extraordinary sensations, and experienced its first explorers. You will travel through landscapes through wilderness snow and ice, mountains and waterways in an incredible variety of life. In addition, you'll also see leopard seals, killer orca, minke called, but many whales. The browsing enchanting rivers, and channel Neumayer and Lemaire Channel, Gerlache Strait and through narrow passages located between high cliffs and glaciers will reach Paradise Bay, and there, on the continent of Antarctica. You will be fascinated by the sound caused by the rupture and collapse of glaciers in the water called the Antarctic sound, and the large colony of Adelie penguins (100,000 pairs), then the blue-eyed cormorants on the island Paulet. You go then Melchior Islands, Cuverville, Plenum, Portal Point and Neko port. I think I answered all your questions and that you have truly awakened interest in such an expedition, "he concluded Andres.

Indeed, it was. Thought goes beyond the waters of the Beagle Channel to get acquainted with the world and continue arctic expedition Rapapatatierra.