Hello, all! It's been so long! I am back from Antarctica!!!
Feels weird to be typing here right now. After a month of having no to little internet and being disconnected from home...I can't tell you how strange it is. Unless, of course, you've done something like this before.
I haven't quite processed my whole trip yet but I want to tell you what I've been doing. Bear with me, okay?
So back at the beginning on the month, I first flew all the way to Argentina. It was a long flight (17 hours?) and a little stressful. Security has changed a lot in the many years since I last flew. And it was my first time out of the country (technically a lie, but I'm negating the first trip). Anyway. Our first few days were a whirlwind of travel and I think that was part of the reason I was having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that I was in a different country.
We spent a few days in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, which is a cool tourist town. Took some tours around their national park and visited the literal end of all highways. Then we boarded our boat and set sail for Antarctica.
The Drake Passage is the stormiest part of the world's waters and lucky us, a storm formed right around us as we were sailing through it. I was told that water was sloshing over the handrails. Of course I didn't see this because I was sea sick, so I stuck to my cabin. I can tell you though that things were flying around my room. Thankfully, the Drake only lasts a few days.
The program that we took allows for two landings in Antarctica a day. We sailed around the Western Peninsula, visiting islands and making continental landings. So many penguins and seals. We were able to visit Palmer Station (US station) and Port Lockroy (a British museum (Yes, there are museums way out there)). We also had an encounter with Minke whales. Which is when I learned that I'm terrified of whales. Silly but true.
I can go into more detail about my time there, but I don't want to bore you.
After ten days, we were back in Argentina. Visited El Calafate, El Chalten, and Buenos Aires before coming back home. I can honestly say that I am so glad to be back, despite everything feeling really weird.
I'll post some pictures in the future, so you can get a taste. And if you want to know any more about my time abroad, ask away! It's easier for you to ask questions than for me to narrate my experience.
