- My husband and I skipped Thanksgiving this year to visit our 7th continent together.
- Our children, who visited 25 countries with us, supported our dream and followed our journey virtually.
- It was a trip we will always remember and we saw some incredibly beautiful sights.
My husband and I just marked a milestone by visiting our seventh continent together: Antarctica. Over the past 20 years, our mutual love of exploration has taken us to all corners of the world, but our recent trip to this vast frozen wasteland is something else entirely.
Once a destination reserved for scientists and the most intrepid travelers, Antarctica has become more accessible in recent years thanks to expedition trips offered by various companies. We embarked on an extraordinary 11-day Antarctic adventure with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
This is what it looks like visit Antarctica and why we are happy to have saved the “frozen” continent for last.
Every day was an adventure
THE flight route included a 24-hour, two-way route from the United States to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. We spent one night at the Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, which has fantastic views of the city and the Beagle Channel.
The next morning we ventured briefly into Tierra del Fuego National Park. In the early evening, we boarded our ship, ready to embark on an exciting seven-night journey.
Even though the harsh conditions of Antarctica left my fingers freezing daily, setting foot on its pristine territory, glacial landscapes filled me with an unexpected feeling of warmth and wonder. The feeling of being immersed in such a magnificent setting made every challenge worth it.
Every day was an exciting adventure. We boarded zodiac boats to reach secluded bays for morning and afternoon excursions, indulging in various activities from serene kayaking to invigorating hikes. Between these outings, we gained a deeper understanding of the continent’s unique ecosystem and marine life through expert-led presentations on various topics, including (of course) penguins. We learned that penguins can take up to 10,000 naps per day, each lasting about 4 seconds.
The author and her husband saw penguins at Mikkelson Harbor. Photo credit: Taryn White of The Trip Wish List
Throughout the trip, we had close encounters with these adorable creatures. We watched them porpoise in the cerulean waters, gracefully leaping in and out with remarkable agility. On land, we saw them waddling and belly-sliding along “penguin highways” – well-trodden paths carved by penguins traveling the same routes between the ocean and their colonies.
The author saw a chinstrap penguin sliding down a “penguin highway.” Photo credit: Taryn White of The Trip Wish List
When we’re not on excursions, we make the most of our time on board the ship. The main lounge was a nice place to relax, socialize with other travelersand enjoy incredible views. Although I felt some nausea while crossing the infamous Drake Passage, we were lucky to have crossed “Drake Lake”. Our expedition leader said we were fortunate to have some of the calmest seas he had ever seen.
We also enjoyed meal options like butter-confined lobster tail and a special Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cranberry sauce and gravy.
They had Thanksgiving dinner during their cruise. Photo credit: Taryn White of The Trip Wish List
We saw lots of beautiful sights, but 5 stood out
One of the highlights of the trip was when the ship pulled into a bed of fast ice in Charlotte Bay. We disembarked and walked directly onto the ice, observing a small group of penguins.
The author and her husband enjoyed their time on the National Geographic Explorer. Photo credit: Taryn White of The Trip Wish List
Cierva Cove offers breathtaking, postcard-worthy scenery. There we marveled at the dynamic interaction between the ocean, icebergs and floating sea ice.
We also kayaked in Chiriguano Bay, a protected cove on the southern tip of Brabant Island in the Palmer Archipelago. Paddling with the backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains was very calming.
Portal Point is a stunning rock outcrop in the northeast of the Reclus Peninsula, with spectacular mountain ranges and glacial tongues. It’s one of those places that you have to see to believe.
Deception Island was different from the other lands they had seen. Photo credit: Taryn White of The Trip Wish List
And finally, the volcanic terrain of Deception Island stood in stark contrast to the icy landscapes found elsewhere in Antarctica. The island features warm sands and geothermal waters along its coast.
It’s a trip we will always remember
At the end of the cruise, we boarded a non-stop flight from Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport, located in the Chilean Antarctic base on King George Island, to Puerto Natales, Chile. The flight provided a seamless and picturesque transition between the frozen wilderness and the verdant landscapes of the South American continent.
They returned home from King George Island. Photo credit: Taryn White of The Trip Wish List
Our trip to Antarctica was without a doubt our most unforgettable trip to date. The rare privilege of navigating this phenomenal landscape, leaving footprints where few will, has been a difficult physical and deeply emotional journey. It left us with a lasting connection to a world both awesome and incomparable in its beauty – a place that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.