Port Lockroy is one of the very few outposts we visited, or even saw for that matter, during our 7 day journey along the Antarctic Peninsula. Having but 3 inhabitants for roughly 6 months of the year, it is an interesting lifestyle for those who choose to work there. Granted, they get regular visits from passing expedition ships, the rest of the time it's just them and the penguins. Not a bad sight to wake up to every morning though, is it?

Making tribute to some of the most naturally breathtaking beaches in world, Railay Beach lay here amongst them. This cove opens up to the sea, with sheer pinnacles and mountainous cliffs jutting out from it's soft yellow sands. This particular area is only accessible by boat, approximately 40 mins from Krabi, on the south western coast of Thailand. It has been deemed a rock-climbers haven, as these steep rock faces hold many of the most popular climbing routes in all of Thailand. I had my first stab at Rock Climbing here, doing the popular "Groove Tube" route, and was privileged enough to be perched at the top of the climb in a little cave, as the sun set over the beach and the sea. Truly one of those moments in life that takes your breath away!

Here lies the entrance to one of Egypt's most fascinating ruins, Karnak temple. With rows of lions and rams guarding the entrance, this is the massive temple is where the rituals of the mummification of the kings and queens of Egypt took place. It's a short faluka (Egyptian boat) ride across the Nile to the Valley of the Kings. You can easily spend a day here wandering around the old city's massive walls, pillars and decoratively preserved painted walls. It is located quite close to the city of Luxor, and very easily accessible by taxi or horse drawn carriage.

Varanasi, one of the most holy cities in the Eastern hemisphere, is a city rich with culture, history, tradition, and intrigue. Home to the Mother Ganges, quite possibly the holiest river in the world, most of the cities life revolves around the happenings on the banks of the water. Ghats, which are essentially stair-lined platforms which plunge in to the warm running waters, line the river's edge as far the eye can see. Used for bathing, washing of clothes and yoga, right as the sun breaks the dawn of day, the activity only begins at this time. You will find markets, festivals, performances, fishing, and also the ritualistic cremations along the ghats throughout any given day. A quintessential part of any visit while in Northern India.

What visit to London would feel complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace. Originally built as a large townhouse back in the early 1700's for the king of Buckingham, the palace has gone through many royal hands and changes in appearance. In it's modern state, there are several areas of the palace which are open to the public to visit. Every 2 days, you can also watch the ceremony of the "Changing of the guards", from the gates of the palace. It's quite a pleasant area to enjoy a nice sunny day. Adjacent to it you will find some enormous parks, including Green Park, Hyde Park and St James park, which together cover over 50 hectars. Definitely an important site to explore of anyone's visit to London, England.

The Great Frigate Birds are large black sea birds of the South Pacific, South Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions. They can measure up to a meter in length and primarily feed on fish at the surface of the sea, mostly consisting of flying fish. The most notable feature of these interesting birds are the males inflatable red chests. As with many bird species, the males use this to attract female counterparts. You will find these Frigate Birds all over the Galápagos Archipelago, concentrating themselves on high cliff walls and soaring gracefully overhead.

The Galápagos Green Sea Turtle is believed to be endemic to just the area surrounding this archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. They have been difficult to track, as with most sea turtles, due to their migrations and deep submersion in the ocean. They are however on the endangered list, and efforts to assist their population have so far been proving unsuccessful.

Even with lower numbers, it's not uncommon to encounter some of these beautiful creatures while snorkeling as they gracefully glide along the seas currents below you.

Galápagos Sea Lions are a species, like most species found in the Galápagos archipelago, native only to the islands  and no where else in the world. They are one of the most abundant species on the islands, thus making them easy to spot almost everywhere, both on land, and while snorkeling off in the sea. This young pup was part of the welcoming committee when I arrived to the islands, and awoke from his pup nap under a bench to wink hello and let out a little pup bark. 

Maybe one of the most unique animals to be found in the Galápagos Islands, is the Marine Iguana. The reason it is so unique, is that it has ability to dive down, up to 10 meters (30 feet), just to forage sea weeds and algae off the ocean floor. No other modern lizard has these marine abilities. They are found in great abundance in the Galápagos archipelago, though still vulnerable to environmental and human impacts. You'll often see them warming their cold-blooded bodies after a dive in the cooler sea waters on hot, black lava rocks which litter the shoreline of almost every island.

Seeing species as unique as this in great abundance is one of the most incredible feelings of being on the Galápagos islands. Not every visitor necessarily shares this viewpoint, however:

"The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (2-3 ft), disgusting clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. I call them 'imps of darkness'. They assuredly well become the land they inhabit."
~ Charles Darwin

Galápagos Penguins are the only penguins known to survive North of the Equator. They are of the same family as those found in South America and Africa along their southern coasts. Spending most of their time in the cooler waters and currents, it is always a special treat to be able to see one floating along the water's surface, or even more excitingly, hopping around the islands' rocky shore line. Though this species is considerably small, the third smallest in the world, it is still quite fast and agile, given the high volume of predators they must face on and around the islands.