A Birthday to Remember
Day 2 – 8th Jan 2024 – by Alice
It was a special day for me – not only did we officially begin our journey to Antarctica, but I also woke up a year older in Buenos Aires!
We headed down for breakfast around 8 am, eagerly consuming as much as we could from the buffet, knowing our next full meal wouldn’t be until dinner on board the boat. With our pockets stuffed with pastries and sweet treats, we packed up our remaining belongings and gathered in the reception by 9 am. It was then that I chose to put on my pink bobble hat, adorned with a sparkling ‘25’ on the front (you have got to have a themed birthday hat right?) Sonja suggested I take pictures at every location with the hat, a challenge I couldn’t resist.
Boarding the bus to the airport, Hannah and I opted to keep our suitcases with us, not trusting the hold with our most prized possessions… Lamby and Jellybean. So, we endured a cramped 30-minute bus ride, comforted by the safety of our teddies.
At the airport, after Mike secured his fourth coffee of the day, we impatiently awaited our 11 am flight to Ushuaia. Following a three and a half hour journey, complete with a questionable sandwich and breath-taking mountain views, we landed in the world’s southernmost city. The scenic drive through Ushuaia reminded me of an old-fashioned ski resort with its brightly coloured shops and houses set against a picturesque mountain backdrop. We made a stop at the famous Ushuaia sign – another perfect opportunity for a birthday hat photo.
Around ten minutes later, we finally laid eyes on MS Roald Amundsen, our home for the next 18 days. The ship’s sheer size was astounding. In our cabin, Anais and I were greeted by a spacious, modern room. There was even a bottle of sparkling wine on ice with an accompanying birthday note – a luxury unexpected for student researchers. Very satisfied with our accommodation, we headed to dinner, which truly was ‘dinner with a view’.
Embracing our inner explorers, we ventured outside after dinner to practice using binoculars and spotting wildlife. I may have missed the first sighting of two sei whales, but the black-browed albatross, southern giant petrels, and dusky dolphins more than made up for it. When Sonja announced it was time to go back downstairs, I could not believe it was 10:20 pm, with the sun still setting beautifully over Ushuaia.
