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Ladies Trip to Antarctica

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by: Julia Kocubinski
I had the opportunity to travel to Antarctica with two of my favorite ladies. What a trip! The most beautiful and breathtaking place I have ever seen. Kayaking amongst icebergs, penguins, sea lions and even whales. How will I ever top this trip?

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Ladies Trip to Antarctica

Want to go? Clipper Adventurer (QU): Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the Peninsula

I went to: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ushuaia, Antarctica, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula
We're all smiles in Tierra del Fuego National ParkCanoeing in Tierra del Fuego National ParkSay cheese!Beautiful day for a hike in Tierra del FuegoRebecca and our guide in Tierra del FuegoPolar Star and Ocean Nova getting ready for their next tripOur home for the next 10 nights. Cozy!Crossing the Drake PassageSuprisingly calm Drake Passage on the way to AntarcticaOur first landing!Seal in front of penguin colony Chinstrap penguins in AntarcticaCarrying a rock to build his mate's nestPenguin walking to shore for another rockPenguin colony on Aitcho IslandBeth taking pictures Chinstrap Penguins in Yankee HarborWedell Seal in AntarcticaNesting penguins. Notice the pairs!I had to try the self portrait!A little sun came out on day two!Beth enjoying the sunshine and views of AntarcticaIce chunks floating by on the way to Paradise HarborHuge icebergs resting near Paradise HarborGlaciers and icebergs collide!We weren't sure we would make it - might be too much ice!Getting ready for our landingAlex gets our kayaks ready for our first paddle!Our kayak guide Kevin and fellow kayakers John and NormanOur first kayaking in Antarctica!! Smile! Kayaking Neko Harbor in AntarcticaLooking back at the Orlova - we kayaked a long way!A group picture - with some cold foggy spots on the camera!Lots of ice in Neko HarborHuge iceberg floats into our shipLoading the kayaks onto the shipThe Orlova in Paradise HarborKayaking alongThe giant glaciers coming down to Paradise HarborParadise Harbor Looking down on Camp BrownPenguins in front of the Orlova and Ocean NovaColony of Adelie PenguinsIn front of Ocean Nova and the OrlovaMore penguins, and the weather was turning!Hanging out in the cabin between landingsIce floating along the shear cliffs of AntarcticaMountains coming straight out of the Antarctic watersAnd then the sun came out!Kayaking to the "iceberg graveyard"Icebergs in the harbor of Port LockroyPenguins at Port LockroyPort LockroyNesting penguins at Por LockroyCalm waters of AntarcticaA humpback came to say hello!Humpback whale in AntarcticaIt came pretty close to us!Humpback diving downTail fin of the diving humpback. So close to our kayaks!Saying hello one last timeVisitng a seal floating on an iceberg while kayakingOur trusty guide KevinFloating ice in Cuverville IslandCuverville IslandResting sealsKayaking close to the sealOur Antarctic BBQ!And a little entertainment by Julian!Beautiful sun over the Antarctic watersSunset in AntarcticaSinging in the lounge....and dancing!Entering Deception IslandDeception IslandDeception islandHiking to Neptune's WindowNeptune's WindowSteam rising from the beach at Deception IslandTaking the plunge!!Colder than I expected!But we were all smilesChasing two humpbacks on our last landingWe didn't want to get too closeAnd then the humpbacks were goneJim had to test out the drysuit!