Traveling to a remote place is always a great endeavor to undertake, but we can say, for sure that traveling to Antarctica is a life changing experience!
A sailing yacht to Antarctica allows for a more intimate view of the majesty of this frozen continent. This firsthand experience is the closest you get to an out of the world experience while being deeply connected to the planet.
Tourism in Antarctica is like a wild safari on ice. The yacht will be your home for the duration of the trip since there are no hotels on the White Continent. We will cruise around some of the most beautiful spots in the Antarctic Peninsula while disembarking to explore a variety of landings. During these landings we will leave a minimal footprint on this pristine ground.
It is exactly like watching a BBC documentary but live… Antarctica’s greatness makes us humble and teaches us to be patient, silent and kind.
During Antarctic summers the Peninsula will
be bursting with wildlife. Patience is always needed when going to see wildlife
and often rewards you with treasured moments you will remember for a
lifetime. A humpback whale popping out
her head to check on you. A gentoo penguin
coming close to you to pick on your boots.
A pod of orcas coming close to the yacht. All of these moments are possible but
requires patience. Here you are just a spectator waiting to be amazed with
whatever happens in front of you.
Silence… the opposite of life. We tend to
think that when we get to the Antarctic Peninsula everything will be quite and
silent but it is quite the opposite. During the Austral summer the Peninsula is
everything but silent. The only silence there will be yours, so you are able to
embrace every sound the Peninsula as to offer. The blow of a distant whale, the
call of a penguin, the crack of the ice.
Kindness, such a paradoxical word in a
natural world where the weather is rough, life conditions are extreme and the
locals are there just to breed and feed.
Your kindness towards nature will grow in Antarctica. We will be visiting a giant natural reserve;
as tourist we are welcome but we are regulated by IAATO guidelines based on the
Antarctic Treaty. By traveling in a small group on a sailing yacht these
guidelines are more easily followed while ticking off your wish lists. We keep our distance from the penguin’s rookeries
so we do not disturb them. Luckily, the
penguins do not know anything about IAATO guidelines and they are super curious
animals. If we stay still and are
patient they will come to us. In that
moment try not to move or make any sudden movements that could scare them.
Another type of kindness is learned by being in such a remote place with other travelers. Something amazing happens. A sense of family quickly sets in onboard whether you are traveling on a yacht or a small expedition cruise. You will always stay in touch with your new Antarctic friends.
I always say that life as we know it is what happens in between each Antarctic trip. Once there, you forget about time, money, work… anything that may stress you. Strangely you will never feel more connected to yourself and this Earth the one we live in, the one we share with all other living organism.
So be bold, come joint on a trip to Antarctica!