Antarctica Expedition Diaries:
Stage 1: Getting Ready
It’s not every Tuesday you learn you are going to Antarctica. Yet, with a single email, my world’s axis tilts. The words “Expedition”, “December” and “Penguins” momentarily blur across my screen as my vision pixilates, and a prickling heat floods my limbs. I think this might be what they call euphoria.
In my 3 and a half years at Travelling Places, Antarctica has been a frequent subject of my fantasies.
The blanketing white, endlessly shifting shades of blues and extraordinary wildlife have always called to me. Having watched countless documentaries, presentations by our cruise partners, and seeing the delight in our travellers’ eyes as they plan and then return from their own journeys- my passion for the destination has grown but it has always felt more like a distant dream than an actual possibility. I’ve hung onto Gina’s stories about the ghostly icebergs and charming wildlife she encountered- hardly daring to think it could one day be me.
All this to say I have a bone-deep longing for the wild remoteness of the seventh continent and I am positively vibrating apart at the opportunity to see if for myself.
I will be embarking on my trip in December during the Antarctic summer. This is a popular time of year, as warmer weather, longer days and increased wildlife activity (think nesting penguins, migrating whales and seal pups!!!) make for fabulous conditions for adventure.
What’s more, I have the exceptional good fortune of exploring this wild place with one of the leaders of sustainable, immersive expedition cruising- Aurora Expeditions. Aurora is a small group expedition cruise line, driven by a passion for exploring the world’s most remote and wild places. We have had many clients travel with Aurora over the years and they continually live up to their reputation as an exceptional operator.
The company was founded in 1991 by Greg and Margaret Mortimer, two passionate explorers who set out to take small groups of travellers on transformative journeys to the world’s most remote regions. Aurora was built on the belief that immersive, personal expeditions create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of these pristine environments. As a Certified B Corporation™ , they are committed to sustainability and protecting the world’s wild places.
Guided by some of the world’s best remote area specialists, every journey is enriched with fascinating lectures and insights that bring each destination to life. Their mission is to take travellers beyond the ordinary, offering immersive, unforgettable experiences that stir the soul and inspire a lifelong connection to the natural world.
As you can imagine, my excitement levels are nearing explosion. Aurora currently have some fabulous deals on – with up to 25% off departures and a host of other specials. If you are interested in dipping your toes into expedition cruising, give us a call and we would be delighted to share more.
In addition to my Antarctic expedition, I will be heading to Patagonia on a 9 day hiking, kayaking and cultural adventure and spending some time in Buenos Aires over Christmas. Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Peru are popular areas to combine with an Antarctic cruise and there is so much to do and see in South America that it was almost excruciating to choose!
I am now in the prep stage of expedition cruising- where I iron out my itinerary, start to prepare my gear, train for some of the longer hikes and try not to spend every waking moment day dreaming about what’s to come!
