Antarctica 🇦🇶 & South Georgia 🇬🇧
February 2005 and 2011
Trip to the South End
A trip to this large continent is like no other. It takes time, patience and unfortunately not insignificant money to get there. But it’t worth while. Getting to Antarctica is through the tip of South America, which is the closest to Antarctic (peninsula). Apart from Ushuaia there is so much more to see. In 2005 I went on a 23 day trip though the South Atlantic Ocean including the Falklands and more notably South Georgia which is often overseen by the busy travelers. Fact is that the island boasts the most populous colonies of king penguins amongst others together with rich history of the 5th largest continent (about 40% larger than Europe). In 2011 I returned to on of the first expedition which was allowed for non scientist to camp on land.
South Georgia
My first trip to the south end was much longer and lasted more than three weeks. On board a former Soviet ship which offered comfortable and somewhat simple amenities, far from luxury.
From Ushuaia (Argentina) we first stopped at the Falklands and then took a long rough ride to the not so often visited South Georgia with its famous colonies of hundreds of thousand of King Penguins, a very rare and impressive experience. One has get in the middle of everything to immerse the setting. While there we learnt of about the Odyssey of Sr Ernest Shackleton and his crew which he finally saved after a journey on a small rescue boat all the way from off the shore of Antarctica to South George to organize help.
This island is way of the beaten track but putting in the effort is rewarded with a lifetime experience and to some degree even tops the Antarctic peninsula.
Antarctic Peninsula
The 2011 voyage was much shorter and “only” involved the Antarctic Peninsula yet going further south than previously, and as said, included actually staying over night on shore in tents. Again, I was lucky to have mostly nice weather and the folks on boards were a blast so we had a great time amoungst the travelers as well.
