sustainability

Best Short Documentary: Award Winning Film

Penguins are my heart’s compass, leading me to a world of pure joy and endless fascination.

Officially ‘Award Winning’ at the Rome International Short Film Festival for our ‘Antarctica. A Life Changing Experience’ documentary. Thrilled!

A master of his art Bruno Zaugg, Design-Factory GmbH, the film producer and director, has expertly and sensitively created this documentary, showcasing my passion for this region of the planet, especially my passion for penguins, the challenges the wildlife faces through the accelerated climate change and some simple steps we can all take to reduce our negative effect on the planet.

September 26, 2024

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Environment, Travel

Nurturing Turtles in the Burj Al Arab

What’s the story here?

One that’s not obvious to guests staying at the Burj Al Arab.

My turtle discovery journey started right outside the Jumeirah Al Naseem, where several ‘recovery’ lagoons are located and you can participate in daily turtle feeding (not during the very hot summer months, they tuck them away somewhere cooler). Afterwards, I spoke to one of the staff who surprised me! There’s a whole rehabilitation programme, right at the Burj Al Arab. We were able to get a ‘back of house’ tour with the Aquarium and Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project Director, Barbara Lang-Lenton.

This was one of those moments where you realise you don’t have to scratch far under the surface to find the unexpected. This is what we saw…

September 17, 2024

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Environment, Travel

The Nine Day Scientist

Expedition cruises can be unique learning experiences. And we aren’t talking just history and culture but also taking part in some very useful Polar Citizen Science.

If you have read my Citizen Science blog from Antarctica, then you know it was something I found pretty cool on that expedition. Why? Because it’s a way of giving back of course. Was going to be interesting to compare what we found in the Antarctic to the Arctic.

From plant identification to collecting plankton samples, here is what ‘us passengers’ got up to, doing their bit for Polar Citizen Science on our recent ‘Circumnavigating Spitsbergen In The Realm of the Polar Bear’ voyage – hence the 9 scientist day reference! This time I wanted to get out on the science zodiac taking samples… or that’s what I thought!

September 12, 2024

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Environment

Bringing Oceans Back to Life… One SeaHive at a Time

It’s interesting where and when some of the best ideas can spring to mind. Of course, the difference is whether those ideas are acted on or not. Bringing this story of the SeaHives to you as it’s another excellent example of how an individual or two are making a positive impact on the planet, one step at a time.

What’s unique about this story is materials that potentially cause lasting damage in our oceans, instead of being discarded, are recycled into something new that is restoring life… but I am getting ahead of myself!

September 5, 2024

3584

Travel

BUCKET LIST Helicopter Flight From the Most Famous Helipad in the World: Burj Al Arab

Has to be done – add it to your bucket list!

We took the helicopter sightseeing tour of Dubai, from what is touted to be the most famous helipad in the world. Remember Tiger Woods tee’ing off and Roger Federer vs Andre Agassi tennis match on top of this iconic hotel? Loved David Coulthard’s F1 ‘donuts’ – this helipad boasts plenty of historic events. And we were there!

But just what was the experience like?

August 29, 2024

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Travel

Our Burj Al Arab Experience. There is Something Very Special About this Place

Mr SueQsWorld’s Favourite Hotel

Staying at the Burj Al Arab, this iconic hotel in Dubai is my husband’s favourite place in the world – well to be precise, sitting outside on the terrace having breakfast is it! Plus the ‘buzz’ at the Sal restaurant.

Our experiences, over the years, have given us a list that is kind of our ‘gold standard’ that we measure places we stay at against. Mostly this list stems from places like the Burj Al Arab and the Four Seasons Maldives, and to some extent Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond and Inverlochy Castle hotel – but not always!

The Burj Al Arab is a special place, as you might expect, but our lasting memories may not be what you would expect…

August 23, 2024

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Environment, Travel

Four Countries. Four Selections.

It’s Semi-Finalist Week – for ‘ANTARCTICA. A Life Changing Experience’

Four selections this week! It’s obviously ‘Film Festival’ season right now as they are coming into Bruno’s inbox thick and fast. And what a gift that is for the environment.

This second film is longer than the first, more of a documentary and using much of the video footage that we took on our expedition to South Georgia Island and Antarctica. Funny though, as I looked back searching through our photographs and video’s for good footage for the film, I realised that IF I had known that I would be writing and making short films back then, I would have done things differently. Well, I guess who wouldn’t.

August 14, 2024

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Environment, Travel

The Cornerstone of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem

Celebrating Antarctic Krill on World Krill Day, 11th August

That’s a big reputation for a small shrimp-like crustacean to live up to. But they are indeed giants in their ecological significance.

Serving as the primary food source for innumerable marine species, including whales, seals, penguins – especially Adelie and Chinstrap penguins – and fish, they are key in the Antarctic food chain.

August 7, 2024

4093

Environment, Travel

First Nomination for ‘A Life Changing Experience’

Am thrilled to announce, our ‘ANTARCTICA. A Life Changing Experience’, short film has been selected for the Barcelona International Environmental Film Festival in November.

As you may know, this is our second film, a little longer, more of a documentary and using much of the video footage that we took on our expedition to South Georgia Island and Antarctica.

It’s all about maximising the reach of the messages in the film for us. And to know that we can actively promote organisations that are protecting the Antarctic regions and our Southern Ocean.

That’s what makes this selection particularly exciting…..

August 1, 2024

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Travel

The Lonely Polar Bear

Camp Berantz

Disembarkation day. It was an early start, cases outside the room by 7am, out of the cabin at 8 am and ready to head onto the bus around 8.40 am. A quick tour to Camp Berantz before being dropped at the airport.

To be honest, none of us really knew what Camp Berantz was! Or why we were going there. But I have to say it turned out to be quite a special moment.

July 25, 2024

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Best Short Documentary: Award Winning Film

Penguins are my heart’s compass, leading me to a world of pure joy and endless fascination.