Lois Dellert

Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend, filled with relaxation & quality time with your loved ones.

Why not plan a Thanksgiving cruise in the St Lawrence Region that coincides with the turning colour of the leaves? Feast on local products both foraged and cultivated: berries, apples, squash, mushrooms. Or perhaps sample some wild game?

Did you know that the fall is one of the best times to see Northern Lights? How about a cruise to western Greenland, Iceland or Norway. This is the perfect time of year.

The bonus - no clean up after your Thanksgiving dinner! 😉

Learn more about the Poles of Haida Gwaii, representing the rich artistic achievements of the Haida people.

They are carved from red cedar, a soft and rot-resistant wood, and can tower over 100 feet (30 metres) high. The art of pole carving evolved with the introduction of metal tools and experienced a resurgence in the late 1960s. Displaying beings, or crest animals, marking a family’s lineage and validating the powerful rights and privileges that the family held.

Poles are carved and raised for a variety of reasons. A house frontal pole serves as an entrance to a home and an indicator as to which family lives inside. Carved poles also support the main beams of the house. Mortuary poles act as both tomb and gravestone, containing remains of the deceased, and memorial poles are carved to honour and remember important figures.

While most poles do not stand for more than 100 years (they eventually topple from natural decay), the poles at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) date back to the 1830s. As is Haida tradition, the poles are being left to return to the earth. The only efforts which are being taken in SGang Gwaay in terms of preservation are removing moss and plant growth from the poles, keeping the area around the poles clear and propping up some of them. Beyond that, nothing is being done to stop the decay of the wood.

See the beauty of the poles & take part in a once in a lifetime voyage to Haida Gwaii. Contact me through dm or at [email protected] to find the best option and itinerary for you.



📸 credit: Hello BC

Where the heck is Sable Island? And why is it on my bucket list?

It is a fascinating place: a National Park Reserve, a wild and windswept 42 km long crescent-shaped island of sand dumped there when the glacier ice sheet melted. It seemingly emerges out of nowhere amidst the great expanse of the North Atlantic. The forces of nature dominate all life here, it is isolated and remote, located 160 km from its closest landfall in mainland Nova Scotia.

The famous Sable Island wild horses roam freely, and the world’s largest breeding colony of grey seals uses its extensive beaches. Plants, birds, and insects have adapted to life here, some of which are found nowhere else on earth.

It is not an easy place to get to. It is remote and landing is not always possible due to the non-stop wind, high surf and fog. We got lucky - did a stern landing from the zodiacs into the water. Switched our rubber boots for hiking boots and headed off into the dunes, guided by Parks Canada staff! What an amazing day. Felt incredibly privileged to be there.

Expedition cruise is one of the few ways to visit this magical place.

Stay tuned this week, as I will be highlighting the beauty that is Sable Island!

When thinking of cruising - most people associate this with the typical grandiose cruising experience. Expedition cruising is a different kind of fun and adventure - focused on authentic, meaningful experiences.

• On an Expedition ship the adventure is not the ship - it is the destination. It is a zodiac excursion. It is a wet landing in an isolated location. It is learning about different culture. It is wildlife. It is bird watching. It is spectacular landscapes. It is iecbergs.

• On an Expedition ship there are no broadway shows, no casinos, no formal nights. Leave your cocktail dress and tuxedo at home. But do bring your water proof pants! There are lectures and demonstrations by a team of experts handpicked specifically for each itinerary - scientists, artists, historians, writers, photographers. Learn on the ship, experience ashore. Most cruise lines give you a jacket, backpack and reusable water bottle (yours to keep).

• On an Expedition ship you can expect the same level of comfort, food and service as on a classic cruise ship. On some ships the accommodations are simple, while on others you can enjoy a suite with butler service. The choice is yours!

• On an Expedition ship you visit small communities, and remote, uninhabited locations. No need for docking facilities or cruise ports. Anchor and go ashore via zodiac. Go where other ships can not. There are no concerns about how many other ships will be in port at the same time.

• On an Expedition ship you can spend a sea day in the observation lounge with your binoculars and camera at the ready. Head out on the deck, scanning the sea for whales, the sky for birds and the shore for polar bears. Spend some time on the Bridge.

Contact me to learn more about expedition cruising & stay tuned for some exciting itineraries! 💬 Via DM or at [email protected]



📸:

When Expedition Cruising, the destination is the focus - not the ship. It is all about meaningful, authentic experiences - not entertainment.

Typically expedition ships have 50-500 passengers, allowing for travel to remote or otherwise inaccessible places.

Full of adventure & education, take part in daily lectures and briefings, guided excursions ashore, and zodiac excursions at sea. Learn about these unique destinations from experts onboard.

Swipe ➡️ to learn more about the top destinations for expedition cruising;

📍 The number one destination most of us think of when we think expedition cruising is Antarctica. This is really the best way to experience the White Continent. Experience 24 hour daylight, icebergs, & rich marine wildlife.

A trip to Antarctica wouldn't be complete without the Falklands and South Georgia Islands: Penguins. Penguins. Penguins.

📍Plan a pre or post visit to Patagonia, pristine wilderness setting at the end of the Earth in Argentina.

📍Another destination that is top of mind for many is the Galápagos Islands - a unique destination full of wildlife & great for family travel.

📍Next up is the Arctic - a vast and varied region, encompassing many countries: Canada, USA, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia. There are many voyages to choose from, including a visit to the North Pole.

📍Not keen on ice and snow? If you'd prefer somewhere warm - how about South America? The west coast offers a rich marine and bird environment, archeological sites, dramatic landscapes and amazing culinary experiences. One of my favourite cruises ever was from Guayaquil, Ecuador to Valparaiso, Chile.

These are some of the more common destinations when we think of Expedition Cruising - but of course, there are so many destinations all over the world. Explore Baja, the West Coast of BC, West Africa, the South Pacific & many, more! No matter your interests, there is always an exciting adventure awaiting.

Contact me to learn more about these unique destinations, expedition cruising, or if you are ready for the trip of your lifetime! 💬 Via DM or at [email protected]

Introducing 180° by 360°!

What is in the name? 180 for the degrees of latitude and 360 the degrees of longitude. The Globe for the world. The PIN for where you want to travel 📍

What does it mean to me? A brand that uniquely captures who I am and my passion for Expedition Cruising 🛳

Confession: I'm a map nerd! Maps help us dream, to think about far off places or even places nearby - I love flipping through my atlas, twirling my vintage globe, thinking about places I have been and places I would like to go to 🗺

What about you - How far North have you travelled? How far South? Have you crossed the equator, on land or at sea? How about the Arctic or Antarctic Circle?

Where in the world would you like to go? Dream big! PIN it! Let's make it happen.

I am so excited to share more of my journey and experiences, and to help bring these experiences to others through 180° by 360°.

Stay tuned for all things Expedition Cruising, life-changing travel, and of course, map content. Swipe to see a few of my favourite & most memorable PINS ➡️