Extraordinary Jobs for Ordinary People

News & Views by Kim Davis

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

As it is really summer at last, I updated my photo to one that is more appropriate. Just looking at me in that jacket made me feel hot. This picture of me in a bathing suit also indicates that I am going into vacation mode. My two girls and I will be winging our way to Florida for two weeks on Wednesday, where they will undoubtedly have a fun and sun filled time in their Grammy's pool. I will be frantically rewriting my book for a new publisher who has bought the international rights (Woo Hoo!) I've held off mentioning this to you guys until I had a firm deal. But it is part of what has been keeping me so very busy lately. So, Note: The next issue will not come out until July 5.

To which I must reply: You are most welcome, Richard. Glad I could be of service.

For those of you who are new to this newsletter, let me explain. I answer lots of e-mailed questions from readers looking for adventure travel and other travel related jobs. My special area of expertise is working on yachts for a living, but I'll hunt up info on just about any line of work you want to know about. Some of the questions I receive are posted here for all to read, (names are shortened to initials), but I'm getting so many questions now, that I can't post them all.

NOTE: If you go to http://www.extraordinary-jobs.com, you'll find yourself on a welcome page. To get to the current issue of the newsletter, follow the link at the top of the page.

Get out there and do what turns you on this summer.
Don't waste another day in a job you hate!

The Maldives is an archipelago of about 1190 islands. These islands are grouped into 26 natural coral atolls out of which some 200 are inhabited. The white beaches, turquoise lagoons and wonderful dive sites make the Maldives one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It could be the perfect detour in your cruise itinerary.

The Maldives Government increasingly welcomes yachts, which are seen as a valuable contribution to the tourist industry. In 2002, 75 yachts called to Maldives, but the following year it was 110, and this year up to March more than 85 yachts have called. Yachts can only clear in and out at Male’ Port. Recently yachts have been able to make unscheduled stops at Uligamu in Haa Alifu Atoll and Gan in Addu Atoll. This is excepted if the stops are short and no other islands are going to be visited. Those who intend to cruise other islands are to proceed Male’ port for inward clearance. Clearance formalities and cruising permits are a little bit complicated and time consuming so the best plan is to choose an agent.

When an agent has been prearranged, he should be notified 48 hours before arrival of the ETA., With prearrival information which is available online

http://www.nooranma.com/general/prearrival.htm

The agent will inform all the necessary departments including coastguard, since a pilot is compulsory for vessels above 100 GT in all weather conditions. Pilots can be contacted on VHF channel 10. Position of pilot boarding ground is Latitude 04’10’00 N by Longitude: 073’32.00. The coastguard officials will board with the pilot for security clearance for vessels above 100 GT, after the security clearance customs, immigration; port health would board the vessel with your local agent for inward clearance.

On arrival 30 days visa would be issued for all nationalities, with a visa that can be extended for another 60 days, which makes a total 90 days from the date of arrival.

Should you require further information refer to our website and please don't hesitate to contact us.

Ahamed Naushad
Management Executive

www.nooranma.com

For immediate release
G.A.P Adventures
Contact: Jeff Russill
416 260 0999 x 158

Toronto - June 7, 2004 - Canadian adventure tour operator G.A.P Adventures has acquired the famous expedition ship Explorer. A legend in adventure circles, Explorer has a venerable laundry list of expedition firsts, including being the first passenger ship to venture south of the Antarctic Circle. G.A.P Adventures will use Explorer to operate its already successful Antarctica program, as well as expeditions to the Arctic and deep into the Amazon River.

In his book Ship in the Wilderness, Kenneth Shackleton, son of the famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, said of Explorer that she is "without any doubt, the most travelled vessel, with the most exciting and varied visual record of natural wonders anywhere on the high seas."

The company recently purchased the ship to deal with the overwhelming demand for their Antarctica program. Antarctica has been a buzz word in the travel industry over the last few years as demand for the destination has grown exponentially each season. With the acquisition of Explorer, G.A.P Adventures is now in the envious position of being in complete control of the price and quality or their Antarctic operations. Well known already for supplying the most affordable Antarctica tours in the industry, the company plans to continue offering low prices while at the same time improving the on-board experience.

Built by polar adventure expert Lars Eric Lindblad in 1969, Explorer was purpose built for expedition cruising in Antarctica. Also well known as "The Little Red Ship", the vessel was the world's first expedition cruise ship, and is designed with such challenging destinations as the polar regions and the Amazon River in mind. Explorer is 73 meters in length and carries 100 adventurous passengers, a large crew and one of the most experienced expedition teams in the world, most notably Captain Uli Demel, who is widely regarded as the master of Antarctic navigation. Public space onboard includes a dining room serving international cuisine, a theatre for lectures and presentations, a bar and lounge, and a top deck that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding wilderness. Explorer is also equipped with 10 Zodiacs launch boats. Zodiacs provide practically unlimited mobility and allow exploration of even the most remote and inaccessible shores. Explorer will be refurbished by G.A.P Adventures this summer.

"As far as adventure destinations go, Antarctica is "the" hotspot right now", says Jeff Russill of G.A.P Adventures. "Antarctica offers the well travelled adventurer the opportunity to conquer that final continent that simply wasn't available or reasonably priced in the past." Antarctica's highlights include the planet's most spectacular scenery, and an abundance of wildlife that includes Humpback and Minke Whales, Orca, and a variety of penguin and seal species. For history buffs, Antarctica was the scene of some of the most heroic and legendary explorations of all time. Names like Shackleton and Scott have become synonymous with Polar exploration and attract historians from around the world to Antarctica.

Explorer will navigate the icy waters of the southern seas from mid November to early March each year, and will also be visiting South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. In the spring, journeys will be made up the Amazon River, and in summer she will sail to the northern ice of the Arctic.

Prices for the 10-day Classic Antarctica start at $2365US / $3220CAN per person. Explorer's 2004/2005 Antarctic sailing season breaks down as follows:

Nov 11 - Nov 29 Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica
Nov 29 - Dec 8 Classic Antarctica
Dec 8 - Dec 17 Classic Antarctica
Dec 17 - Dec 27 Classic Antarctica
Dec 27 - Jan 9 Falkland Islands and Antarctica
Jan 9 - Jan 18 Classic Antarctica
Jan 18 - Jan 27 Classic Antarctica
Jan 27 - Feb 9 Falkland Islands and Antarctica
Feb 9 - Feb 20 Antarctica Polar Circle
Feb 20 - Mar 1 Classic Antarctica
Mar 1 - Mar 10 Classic Antarctica

G.A.P Adventures will also be opening up the renowned ship to charter groups.

For more information about Explorer and G.A.P Adventures please contact Jeff Russill at 800 465 5600

____________________________________________________________________

For 12 years G.A.P Adventures has operated grassroots small group adventure tours with a focus on experiencing the world face to face in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner.

Whether you are looking to challenge yourself with a trek to Machu Picchu or prefer a more leisurely bike trip through Provence, wildlife viewing in Africa, snorkeling with the seals in the Galapagos Islands, or an adrenaline filled week in Costa Rica, G.A.P Adventures have the experience and the passion to help you get the most from your adventure holiday.

355 Eglinton Ave E
Toronto On. Canada
M4P 1M5
800 465 5600
www.gapadventures.com
1000 Adventures - 100 Countries - 1 World for the New Traveller

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