Francja pod żaglami

25/12/2024

Elephant Island is a remote and icy island in the Southern Ocean, located near the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is famous for its role in the survival story of Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. After their ship, the *Endurance*, was crushed by ice, Shackleton’s crew took refuge on Elephant Island for over four months before being rescued.

The island is approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south of South America and 940 kilometers (585 miles) from the nearest Antarctic research station. It is part of the South Shetland Islands and features rugged terrain, dominated by glaciers, steep cliffs, and a harsh polar climate. The name “Elephant Island” is thought to refer either to its elephant-like shape or to the elephant seals commonly found on its shores.

Despite its inhospitable conditions, the island supports a range of wildlife, including penguins, seals, and seabirds, which thrive in the surrounding nutrient-rich waters. Elephant Island remains an important site for scientific research and historical reflection on the resilience of explorers in extreme environments.

Access to Elephant Island is rare and typically limited to scientific expeditions or occasional cruises. The island’s harsh weather and icy waters make it a challenging destination, but its dramatic history and natural beauty draw interest from adventurers and historians alike.

25/12/2024

Île de la Deception, Antarctique : L'île de la Deception est l'une des îles volcaniques les plus remarquables au monde, située dans les îles Shetland du Sud près de la péninsule antarctique. Sa forme distinctive de fer à cheval résulte d'une éruption volcanique massive qui a créé une caldera inondée, formant un port naturel connu sous le nom de Port Foster. Ce port a toujours fourni refuge aux marins dans l'une des régions les plus dures de la Terre. L'île était autrefois un centre d'activité au début du 20e siècle, servant de lieu clé pour les opérations de chasse à la baleine. Les vestiges de stations baleiniers et de structures abandonnées sont toujours un témoignage de son passé industriel.
Aujourd'hui, Deception Island est réputée pour ses caractéristiques géothermiques uniques. L'activité volcanique sous la surface crée des plages vapeur et des poches d'eau chaude, un contraste brutal avec l'environnement glacial. Ces conditions permettent aux visiteurs aventureux de faire trempette dans les eaux de l'Antarctique - une expérience pas comme les autres. L'île abrite également une variété d'animaux sauvages, dont des pingouins, des phoques et des oiseaux de mer, qui prospèrent dans son écosystème dur mais dynamique. Bien qu'inhabitée, l'île de Deception abrite des stations de recherche temporaires exploitées par divers pays et est un arrêt populaire pour les expéditions en Antarctique. Les visiteurs sont attirés par ses paysages surréalistes, son histoire volcanique et ses possibilités d'études scientifiques.
crédit - Faits de voyage

25/12/2024

23/12/2024

[ DEMI TOUR POUR SVR-LAZARTIGUE ]

Le trimaran SVR-Lazartigue décide de faire demi-tour
pour s’offrir une nouvelle fenêtre dans des conditions optimales.

Ces dernières 24 heures, le Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue affolait les compteurs en filant vers le Sud à près de 37,2 noeuds de moyenne avec des pointes de vitesse jusqu’à 50 noeuds ! Néanmoins, après l’analyse des données à 600 milles de l’équateur, l’Atlantique Sud se présente compliqué et un problème technique sur le gennaker (la plus grande voile du bord, utilisée plutôt dans les petits airs, et pour descendre au portant/vent arrière.) confirme le choix de l’équipage du Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue de faire demi-tour pour rejoindre Concarneau, le port d’attache du Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue qu’il devrait atteindre vers le 28 décembre.

La campagne de record du Trophée Jules Verne, contrairement à des courses, offre ces opportunités de partir, de revenir et de choisir la meilleure fenêtre possible dans des conditions optimales. François Gabart avait eu l’audace jeudi dernier de prendre cette fenêtre qui restait incertaine, aujourd’hui il fallait prendre la décision, et la déchirure sur le gennaker a accéléré la décision. “Choisir c’est renoncer”, ce sera donc pour mieux repartir début janvier avec un bateau à 100% de son potentiel.
Comme dirait Francis Joyon, actuel détenteur du record du tour du monde en équipage “ Les départs de Trophée Jules Verne c’est souvent à plusieurs reprises qu’il faut s’y prendre, en faisant plusieurs départs, on augmente ses chances de réussite”

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21/12/2024

20/12/2024

20/12/2024

19/12/2024

15/12/2024

13/12/2024

12/12/2024

15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)

1. Cabo Verde is an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands located off the west coast of Africa, known for its unique blend of African and Portuguese influences.

2. The island of Fogo is home to Pico do Fogo, an active volcano and the highest point in the archipelago, standing at 2,829 meters (9,281 feet).

3. The national music genre, morna, characterized by its melancholic tone, was popularized by the legendary singer Cesária Évora, known as the “Barefoot Diva.”

4. Santiago Island is where the first European colonial city in the tropics, Cidade Velha, was established and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Cabo Verde has no permanent rivers or lakes, relying instead on rainfall and desalination for water.

6. The archipelago is a vital stopover for migratory birds traveling between Europe and Africa, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

7. Sal Island is renowned for its salt flats, particularly the Pedra de Lume crater, where visitors can float in the highly saline waters.

8. Cabo Verde was uninhabited before Portuguese explorers discovered and colonized the islands in the 15th century.

9. The archipelago is known for its vibrant festivals, including Carnival on São Vicente Island, which is celebrated with colorful parades and music.

10. Due to its stable political environment and growing economy, Cabo Verde has one of the highest standards of living in West Africa.

11. The islands are a popular nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles, particularly on Boa Vista and Sal Islands.

12. Cabo Verdean Creole, a Portuguese-based creole language, is widely spoken and reflects the nation’s cultural fusion.

13. The ocean surrounding Cabo Verde is a prime location for windsurfing and kiteboarding due to consistent winds and clear waters.

14. The Cabo Verdean diaspora is larger than the population of the islands themselves, with significant communities in the United States, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

15. Cabo Verde’s culinary scene is rich in seafood, with cachupa, a slow-cooked stew made from corn, beans, and fish or meat, considered the national dish.

11/12/2024

This isolated island is uninhabited, with occasional scientific expeditions.

Clipperton Island is a small, uninhabited coral atoll located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,080 kilometers (670 miles) southwest of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. It lies about 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) from the nearest land, making it one of the most remote islands in the world. The island is a French overseas territory, though it has no permanent population.

Clipperton Island is known for its striking natural beauty, with a lagoon surrounded by a white sandy beach and a ring of coral reef. Its ecosystem is home to a variety of seabirds, crabs, and fish, but due to its isolation and lack of freshwater sources, it has no human settlements. The island is visited only occasionally by scientific teams or expeditions, as the lack of infrastructure and harsh conditions make access difficult.

The island was once briefly inhabited in the early 20th century by a small group of French and Mexican settlers, but after a series of hardships, including a lack of resources and harsh environmental conditions, they abandoned the island. Today, it is primarily used for scientific research, particularly in marine biology and environmental studies.

Clipperton’s isolation and minimal human presence have helped preserve its unique environment, offering a rare glimpse into a nearly untouched ecosystem. The island is accessible only by boat, with the journey to and from it requiring careful planning due to its remote location and the lack of regular transportation.

11/12/2024

Amsterdam Island is one of the most remote territories in the southern Indian Ocean, located about 3,200 kilometers (1,988 miles) southeast of Madagascar and 4,700 kilometers (2,920 miles) from Australia. It is a small volcanic island, measuring just 55 square kilometers (21 square miles), and forms part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). Despite its isolation, it is home to a transient population of scientists and researchers stationed at the Martin-de-Viviès base.

The island’s landscape is characterized by rugged cliffs, rolling grasslands, and remnants of volcanic activity. It has a temperate maritime climate, with cool temperatures and strong winds year-round. Amsterdam Island is particularly significant for its biodiversity and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a crucial habitat for several unique species, including the critically endangered Amsterdam albatross, which nests exclusively on the island.

Human activity on Amsterdam Island is limited to scientific research, primarily focused on conservation and climate studies. Access is restricted and usually requires special permission, with supplies brought in by ship from Réunion Island. There are no permanent residents, and the small research station operates on a rotational basis.

Amsterdam Island's isolation, ecological importance, and challenging conditions make it a fascinating yet inaccessible destination. Its pristine environment remains one of the least disturbed ecosystems in the world, preserved largely due to its remoteness and the efforts of the researchers who work to protect it.

11/12/2024

Socotra is a remote island located in the Arabian Sea, approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) off the coast of Yemen, to which it belongs. It is the largest island of the Socotra Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique biodiversity and otherworldly landscapes.

Often referred to as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra is home to an extraordinary array of endemic plant and animal species. Nearly one-third of its flora and fauna, including the iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree (*Dracaena cinnabari*) and the Bottle Tree (*Adenium obesum*), cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The island also boasts pristine beaches, towering sand dunes, and rugged limestone plateaus, making it a destination of unparalleled natural beauty.

The island is sparsely populated, with most of its approximately 60,000 residents living in small villages and practicing traditional livelihoods such as fishing, animal husbandry, and small-scale farming. The Socotri people have a distinct culture, language, and way of life shaped by centuries of isolation. The Socotri language, a South Arabian Semitic language, is spoken alongside Arabic and reflects the island’s rich history.

Despite its remoteness, Socotra has faced challenges in recent years due to political instability in Yemen, limited infrastructure, and increasing environmental pressures. Access to the island is limited, with irregular flights and occasional sea routes providing the only means of travel. This isolation has helped preserve Socotra’s natural and cultural heritage but also makes life challenging for its residents.

Socotra’s combination of unique ecosystems, dramatic landscapes, and cultural richness make it one of the most intriguing and otherworldly places on Earth, appealing to adventurous travelers and scientists alike.