And just like that, the first iceberg was spotted and we were in Antarctic waters!
It was much sunnier and warmer than I would have imagined! We enjoyed beautiful views on deck as we drew closer to land.
It was finally time! Just what I had been waiting for. We were in Antarctica and we were going to head to shore for the first time - a full day sooner than expected!
The mission: see penguins. That was it. The sky was blue, there was almost no snow on the land, we were going to shore to have a couple of hours to just be with the penguins.
EEEEEEEEE!
As everyone else went ashore, we had a kayaker meeting to learn how to get into and out of our kayaks so we would be prepared for the next day. I was SO anxious to get to shore that I could not have cared less about kayaking that day! Finally, we finished our lesson, boarded our zodiac and headed out to Barrientos Island for our first penguin experience. They were everywhere when we landed! And here it comes...the obligatory onslaught of penguin photos!
I finally left my rock where I was watching them about to try to find Ben. As I went to find him, it suddenly occurred to me - I just spent an hour watching the penguins, but the people sitting over by the landing site had penguins TOUCHING them! WHAT?! How was this not happening to me?
I found Ben and he confirmed - penguins were touching people left and right everywhere except where I had been sitting. AHHH! We were almost out of time for the landing and I became determined. I would have a penguin touch me! I kept trying to place myself strategically in their paths. Ben had better luck:
Did I just see one SIT IN THE LAP of another girl? AHHH! My panicked desperation soon turned to pouting as penguin after penguin passed me by.
I was like a toddler who didn't get the toy at the store that she wanted:
It was time to cut my losses and head back to the ship.
Back on board, we had a toast and celebrated our first landing (and I begrudgingly smiled as everyone else told tales of their close encounters of the feathered kind.
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.