The Akademik Fyodorov Russian Expedition Ship

I found this very interesting video clip last night on the Internet. It is not part of my “Travelling Adventures” but I found it so interesting that I have decided to share it. It also hits home because the expedition ship left Cape Town harbour for Antartica.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/12941088 w=600&h=425]
РАЭ-54 с борта НЭС “Академик Фёдоров” from North Pole on Vimeo.

“The Akademik Fyodorov is a Russian research ship that’s been to both the North Pole and to Antarctica. This time-lapse video packs an entire 201-day Antarctic expedition into 10 minutes, starting in Cape Town, South Africa, and traveling around the coastline of the Frozen Continent.

What happens? There’s a lot of ice breaking—during which the Akademik Fyodorov seems to beach itself like a whale before backing up and ramming the ice again—and a lot of loading and unloading of cargo. It looks like the boat’s mission was to resupply several inland research stations. At one point, a helicopter unloads the coffin of a man who died in a fire at one of those stations. The Akademik Fyodorov shipped his body back home.

There are frolicking penguins, the construction of an entire airplane, and (at about 7:19) the construction on an on-deck swimming pool, which is quickly filled with frolicking Russians. I am sure they must be taking a lot of omega 3 fatty acid supplements to keep them going!

Thanks to Sedgeman for Submitterating!

*On a 2007 trip to the Arctic, the Akedemik Fyodorov served as the base from which Russia launched the manned min-subs that planted a Russian flag on the ocean floor—symbolically, although not legally, claiming the North Pole and all its natural resources.”

I have been fortunate to have done quite a bit of travelling. By heart I am an adventurer and I love exploring new places, cultures and food. Travelling can become stressful and expensive. Over the years I have learnt to travel as cost effective as possible, simply by travelling more clever. Nelmitravel.com is a Adventure and Budget Travel site where I review Airlines, Accommodation, Transport, Restaurants and give helpful travel information.

15 Comments

  1. Russia! Even the name evokes excitement! Love the utube, great way to express what words cannot capture. I am following you now on twitter and look forward to traveling with you!

  2. Hi Ed, thank you for stopping by! You know I was looking at an excursion to Antartica about 4 years ago. Then they charged 24,000-30,000 USD for a trip like this! Ok it was a 3 month trip but extremely expensive! I am so happy I found the video :)Ps. Thank you for following me on Twitter and i hope you will enjoy the future travel 🙂

  3. WOW that kinda freaked me out watching them said through the ice..Kinda like memories of the Titanic…..glad you posted this..it was different and exciting to watch,,, Thank you…As always ,,XOXOXO

  4. Hi Ed, thank you for stopping by! You know I was looking at an excursion to Antartica about 4 years ago. Then they charged 24,000-30,000 USD for a trip like this! Ok it was a 3 month trip but extremely expensive! I am so happy I found the video :)Ps. Thank you for following me on Twitter and i hope you will enjoy the future travel 🙂

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