We're very proud to announce that our long-termpolar voyagepartners Quark Expeditions are now offering carbon neutralAntarcticvoyages, the first vessel operator to do so in polar travel history. Quark will be offsetting the emissions of their newest ship, theOcean Diamond, with select hydro, wind power and reforestationCarbonNeutral®projects around the world.

Although of course there is almost always an environmental price to pay for travel, it remains one of life’s ultimate experiences and can also bring tremendous good to the world. Here at Discover the World we believe it's about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and yet not losing the ability to open minds through new experiences and shared understanding. As Hans Lagerweij, president of Quark Expeditions, explains“by operating the Ocean Diamond Antarctica voyages as carbon-neutral, we show it’s possible to visit incredible places and preserve them for future generations.”

The Ocean Diamond's inaugural voyage departs on 3 November 2012, on a memorable itinerary taking in theAntarctic Peninsula, Falklands& South Georgia.  And if you want to be among the first to sail on a ground-breaking carbon-neutral voyage then why not join this or any of our other Ocean Diamond2012/13 season voyages- book by 30 April andSAVE 25%

Guest blog by Nikki Rickett, former Base Leader at Port Lockroy (UK Antarctic Heritage Trust), TheAntarctic Peninsula:

Yesterday I had the great honour of attending a service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, commemorating 100 years since the death of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions, on theBritish Antarctic Expedition 1910-13.   It is just incredible to think that around a century ago, this great man, together with Dr Edward Wilson, Capt Lawrence ('Titus') Oates, Lt Henry Bowers and Petty Officer Edgar Evans were struggling in the freezing cold and in incredibly difficult conditions on their return from the South Pole.   I had the great privilege of standing inScott's hut at Cape Evansjust earlier this year, on 30 Jan 2012.  What an incredible place - having read so much about Scott and his companions, it seemed like a dream being there.  On a clear blue-sky sunshine day, the hut was remarkably dark and cool inside.  It has been beautifully restored and continues to be preserved thanks to the ongoing painstaking restoration and care by theNZ Antarctic Heritage Trust.  From the open tins of tea and provisions, to the newly restored packing boxes dividing the officers from the men, the multitude of instruments and bottles lining the shelves, the ancient piles of blubber, and of course Scott's bunk itself, standing there was possibly one of the most intense and surreal experiences one could imagine. It was hard to take it all in, and I could have happily spent hours absorbing it all...  

The memory of being at Cape Evans is one of my most cherished, and yesterday, I revisited my time in the hut over and over again during the service, imagining the men on the ice, longing for the protection and safety of that fragile building and to see their friends again, to sit at the dining table and share stories of endurance and to lay in the warm comfort of their bunks.

Before the service St Paul's echoed with music from the State Trumpeters of the Band of the Blues and Royals, as well as the Royal Dragoon Guards Pipe and Drum Band, as the cathedral was filled with over 2,000 people, paying their respects and in remembrance of the incredible achievements and hardships endured by these courageous explorers.  The hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers' had been Robert Falcon Scott's favourite, and was sung over the bodies of Wilson, Bowers and Scott when they were discovered on the 12 November 1912, after Surgeon-Commander Atkinson had read from the Burial Service and a chapter from Corinthians. 

Further readings, lessons and hymns followed, with a Litany of Praise and Prayer led, amongst others, by Princess Anne (Patron of theUK Antarctic Heritage Trust), the Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute Prof Julian Dowdeswell, and descendants of the expedition.  Perhaps however the most stirring part of the service was Sir David Attenborough's reading from Scott's last diary entry from 29 March 1912:
'We arrived within 11 miles of our One Ton Camp with fuel for one last meal and food for two days.  For four days we have been unable to leave the tent - the gale howling about us.  We are weak, writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past.  We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last.  But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the good of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for.  Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman.  These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for'. 
Message to the Public, Robert Scott (1868-1912).

Antarcticais truly an immensely special place; a harsh but beautiful environment that has to be seen to be truly believed.  Collections were made for theRoyal Dragoons Regimental Association,Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund, theUK Antarctic Heritage Trust, and theScott Polar Research Institute.

As we commemorate the centenary of the death ofCaptain Robert Falcon Scott, who perished on his return from theSouth Polealong with Oates, Bowers, Wilson and Evans, this Friday offers the chance to hear Scott’s epic story in his own words. Using a mixture of archive footage and photos, ITV’s unique documentary‘Words of Captain Scott’also features readings of diary extracts and letters home written by Scott, his team and his rival, Amundsen. This is a rare chance to gain a real insight into the mens’ private and emotional reactions to the dramatic events and surroundings of that unforgettable expedition. 

Another moving tribute from the other side of theAntarctic Continentcan be viewed on BBC2 on 22 April.‘Antarctica’s Forgotten Hero’tells the incredible story ofFrank Wild, best known as Shackleton’s second-in-command although he also joined Antarctic expeditions with Scott and Mawson. Wild’s wish was to be buried alongside his ‘Boss’, Shackleton, but it was not until November 2011 that this wish finally came true when his ashes were tracked down and carried on theAkademik IoffetoSouth Georgia, to be laid alongside the grave of Shackleton.

‘Words of Captain Scott’airs on ITV this Friday, 30 March at 10.35pm
‘Frank Wild: Antarctica’s Forgotten Hero’airs on BBC2 on 22 April – but if you can’t wait that long, enjoy thissneak-previewclip on BBC iplayer!