Victor Emanuel of Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) has very generously offered to donate $500 to Houston Audubon for each Houston Audubon member who signs up for this trip. Please identify yourself as a Houston Audubon member when you sign up.

(from the description on the VENT web site)

The description "trip of a lifetime" is overused, but not in the case of Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. Together, these destinations provide some of the most incredible wildlife spectacles found anywhere in the world: thousands of penguins and seabirds; five species of albatrosses—including the amazing Wandering and Royal albatrosses; six species of penguins; and beaches clad in elephant seals and fur seals. The scenery is equally incredible. Beautiful wave-sculpted icebergs, ice-clogged waterways, and glacier-covered landscapes provide scenes of overpowering beauty.

VENT has been taking birders and nature enthusiasts to Antarctica and South Georgia for over 20 years. Their next voyage, January 2009, will be particularly special because they have reserved their largest allotment in years exclusively for VENT customers! The benefits of a large allotment are greater flexibility in scheduling, and joining in the camaraderie of a ship full of people who are all there for the same reasons. Especially exciting is the promise of an all-star cast of leaders that includes Victor Emanuel, Kenn Kaufman, John Fitzpatrick (Director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology), Barry Lyon, Lars Jonsson, Michael O'Brien, and Louise Zemaitis. An added bonus is the addition of Kitty Coley (accomplished geologist and lecturer), and John Harrison (historian) as expert members of the staff.

The cruise to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands will operate January 5-26, 2009. Their vessel is the 122-passenger Clipper Adventurer and departs from Ushuaia. Cruise fee starts at $15,595 in double occupancy in the least expensive cabin class.

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