On December 10, 2024, I embarked on a journey to visit my 6th and 7th continents. I'd been almost everywhere. The only continents left to visit were South America and Antarctica. Hubby and I talked a lot about which country in South America we might like to visit. Being big bird nerds, there were several enticing options We figured we'd get there eventually. The pandemic really put a damper on our foreign travel. As for Antarctica, well, I just thought we'd call it quits at continent number 6 because Antarctica seemed totally out of reach, too remote and too cold and icy. We tend to favor warmer climates (I don't relish wearing all those layers of clothing. I'm more of a bikini, sundress, flip flops kind of gal!) I did, however, accompany my daughter to Churchill, Manitoba up in the sub-arctic to see the polar bears in 2022, an amazing and memorable trip. So when she mentioned that she was planning a trip to Antarctica and asked if we might like to tag along, we realized we could check off the last two continents on our list because virtually all roads (waters) leading to Antarctica go through South America. All we had to do, she warned, was to survive the treacherous boat ride across the infamous Drake Passage leading from the tip of South America to Antarctica. This stretch of sea is one of the most dangerous waterways in the world with waves that have reached up to 30 feet causing very unpleasant seasickness and even broken bones on occasion should one lose one's balance on the ship. Another challenge was packing all those layers of warm, water-proof clothing! Waterproof pants were required in order to get off the ship and onto the zodiac boats that would take us to landing sites, tours and kayak adventures.
Fortunately for us, the trip across the Drake Passage wasn't too bad. I think the highest waves we encountered were around 14 feet. One staff member who'd made many voyages to Antarctica rated our Drake experience as a 4 on a scale of 10 for amount of turbulence. No one in our family got seasick, but we did take some Dramamine tablets when the boat was really rocking. We booked this trip with a company called Polar Latitudes and I highly recommend them. The trip is billed as an expedition as opposed to a regular cruise and we were told that "we are all explorers." Some of the guides are professional research scientists, and they offer a Citizen Science program during the expedition. We were given the opportunity to assist the researchers in gathering data for various projects. We recorded cloud observations, counted birds, collected phytoplankton samples and attended lectures. It was a special treat to visit the science lab and view some of the samples through a microscope. We learned so much about the Antarctic ecosystem: the geological aspects (glaciers and icebergs) the wildlife (penguins, sea birds, whales and seals) and the tiny krill and phytoplankton that form the base of the food chain in Antarctica. It was also interesting to experience the 24 hours of sunlight during what is summer in Antarctica. It never got dark during our 10 day stay!
In addition to attending lectures, we also enjoyed Karaoke and dance parties in the evenings, amazing food and service and meeting people from around the world. Many passengers (including my brave daughter) took the polar plunge and jumped into the frigid water while others went on an overnight camping trip out on the ice! My claim to fame was kayaking during a snowstorm (see photo evidence below)! I also loved snowshoeing with the penguins who always had the right of way!
We enjoyed our visit to Argentina prior to sailing to Antarctica. We spent a week in Buenos Aires soaking up the warmth and sunshine and exploring the city which has a very European vibe and is known as "the Paris of South America." From Buenos Aires, we flew to Ushuaia which is known as "the End of the World" (Fin Del Mundo) due to its location on the southernmost tip of the continent. This is where we boarded the Seaventure, the ship that took us down to Antarctica. We are excited to visit more countries in South America in the future.
On a spiritual level, I found Antarctica to be a personal giant detox for me. It was a tremendous blessing and healing experience to be in a place that is unowned, unsettled, unoccupied, remote, pristine, and stunningly beautiful with no government, military or humans except those on our ship! It is truly the WILDEST place on planet Earth. It defies description and instilled in me a deep peace that I will carry with me always. I'm profoundly grateful to have had the privilege of traveling to so many beautiful places in the world, and profoundly grateful to have a beautiful home to return to --- there is truly no place like home! I pray for those who are unhoused this winter, for those who are suffering from any kind of grief or trouble and for peace in our troubled world.
Thank you to everyone who has read these blog posts over the past year, especially to those who have commented on and shared them. I am wishing you all the best in 2025....I look forward to continuing to share my thoughts in the coming year and welcome your input and feedback.
Stay wild and free!
Much love,
Marianne (aka "Wild Honey")
"Peace is here, here in the quiet land." ~Frank Debenham, geologist on Robert Scott's expedition in the early 1900's
"You wait. Everyone has an Antarctica." ~Thomas Pynchon, author
"We came to probe the Antarctic's mystery, to reduce this land in terms of science, but there is always the indefinable which holds aloof, yet which rivets our souls." ~Douglas Mawson, early Antarctica expedition leader
"Antarctica left a restless longing in my heart beckoning towards an incomprehensible perfection forever beyond the reach of mortal man. Its overwhelming beauty touches one so deeply that it is like a wound. " ~Edwin Mickleburgh, author of "Beyond the Frozen Sea: Visions of Antarctica
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." ~T.S, Eliot
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