End of an epic adventure
It’s always hard ending an adventure, and Antarctica has surely been an epic one. We’ve lived in a glorious bubble for the past ten days. A bubble without internet or phones, deadlines or assignments, crowds of people or even civilization. I think I can safely say that not one of us wanted to burst that bubble, but life beckons us on. Today was the start of our return to reality, and the beginning of a long journey back to St Andrews. After spending the night in Ushuaia, many of us awoke with a bit of landsickness. It’s odd feeling like the world is gently rocking, when really you’re standing on solid land swaying back and forth in time to waves that only exist in your mind. It was a helpful reminder that we actually did go to the White Continent, and it wasn’t just a dream.
After adjusting our bodies to land, we enjoyed breakfast at our hotel and a few free hours before boarding our plane to Buenos Aires. Some students took the chance to wander around Ushuaia for a final time, although shops were mostly closed for Easter, while others caught up on much needed rest. We then flew to Buenos Aires and arrived in time to have one final dinner in Argentina.
To combat the impending sadness of leaving, everyone is reliving the expedition through photos and stories. Though it’s impossible to pick a favorite memory from the trip, I’ve goaded the students into choosing one bit that they particularly enjoyed:
Jo G. – Dusky dolphins bow-riding on our final watch of the trip. The sun was beginning to set, illuminating the water and surrounding mountains as the dolphins porpoised just below us.
Hayley – Watching from the zodiac as the leopard seal killed penguins. On a slightly less gruesome note, the first time we saw the Antarctic continent after crossing the Drake Passage was another highlight.
Pauline – Spotting the one rogue Macaroni penguin huddled amidst Chinstraps. Also, crazily diving into the water for the Polar Plunge.
Clair E. – Watching the killer whales hunt crabeater seals, tied with seeing the fin whale fluke.
Rio – Approaching sleeping humpbacks in the zodiacs and witnessing the vastness of their exhales up close.
Tim – Chilling with penguin colonies and visiting Deception Island.
Caroline – Visiting massive humpback whales in our tiny zodiacs.
Clare W. – A tie between witnessing the leopard seal kills and spotting our first elephant seal at Deception Island.
Aran – Seeing all the dead penguins during our landings, as they show just how harsh the Antarctic environment is
Gareth – Watching the lone penguin among the fur seals during our very first landing, and having crabeater seals swim by the zodiacs
Joe S. – Huddling for warmth and shelter from the katabatic winds while surrounded by penguins at Neko Harbour.
And me? I don’t think I’ll ever forget standing on the bridge during the final watch of the trip, the sun beginning to set and the Plancius approaching the Beagle Channel. It was a bittersweet moment—the trip I had been looking forward to for so long was reaching its inevitable end, but I was grateful to have experienced it at all. I may have seen pictures of Antarctic, but actually witnessing the majesty of the glaciers up close, eating snow off the continent, and plunging into the freezing water was an experience that can’t be synthesized through any medium. As the expedition staff would say, I’ve been bitten by the polar bug. So goodbye to Antarctica for now, but not forever. Keep the kettle on, because I’ll be back.
written by Lainie Brice
Such fun to read your blog and relive the adventure again. Wonderful pictures and a trip not to be forgotten. So glad we were on the Plancius with all of you!