A swimsuit is not something you would expect to find on a packing list for Antarctica. And yet, if you don't bring one, you may find yourself disappointed and left out of a crazy but fun activity.
I have done the "polar bear plunge" at home on New Year's Day, running into the Atlantic Ocean as fast as I could to ring in the new year...with air temperatures at a balmy 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Plunging into water that is just as cold as the air, surrounded by icebergs and glaciers, is a different story!
There was a lot of buzz on our ship about the polar plunge. Some passengers were very sure that they would not be participating. Others were simply trepidatious but were considering it. We waited and patiently waited, asking every other day or so when we might be able to do the polar plunge.
We woke on one particularly sunny and beautiful morning, and air temperatures were a balmy 34 degrees with little wind. This was it. This was the day. We had our morning excursion, cruising around Charlotte Bay on glassy water, watching Wilson's storm petrels dance like ballerinas on the water and cruising alongside massive Minke whales. We came back to the ship to the announcement we'd all been waiting for: "Get you swimsuits on and bathrobes ready, Hebridean Sky! We'll be doing the polar plunge at 11:30AM followed by lunch on the Lido Deck."
If you think jumping into the sea in Antarctica and then eating lunch outside with wet hair sounds nuts, you're probably right. And yet this was one of my favorite days of the trip. We changed into our swimsuits and donned our bathrobes and slippers (provided by the ship in each cabin) and waited in line with our fellow passengers. With so many passengers having declared that there was no way they'd do the plunge, we were shocked to see that nearly half the boat turned up to jump! It was a lively occasion with music blasting and lots of cheering from the spectators above on the outer decks. We made our way down to the marina deck, where we handed our robes to a member of the expedition team and stepped onto a zodiac. Two of the guides were there to harness you in, count you down, and cheer as you plunged into the icy cold, 33-degree sea. I was in, gasping and cursing, and then I was out! Unharnessed, you step back onto the boat, are wrapped in your robe and a towel, and handed a shot of vodka to take the edge off.
Photos were taken, we cheered on the rest of our new friends, and then we threw on some dry clothes and made our way to the Lido Deck for a pig roast! You would have thought we were in Hawaii with the spread they had out, if not for our winter parkas, scarves, and hats. Mulled wine was served to warm us up, and the music continued.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.