There's a steady, soft rumbling noise coming from below, singing a lullaby of sorts as the boat faintly moves back and forth. The twilight sky has a star or two shouting out its presence. The warm air from this afternoon has gone to sleep and a jacket is a must as I look out into universe. I wonder how many hours will truly be dark in Antarctica. Time moves differently down here. The sun takes it's time looking down on Ushuaia this time of year. Pleasantly warm from it's radiance, its easy to lose track of time without a watch. But Ushuaia is already behind us and the mountains are dim in the distance, just barely visible in the dusk. Dividing and pushing the water aside, the Antarctic Dream (our boat) moves south. I love watching the white crests of the small waves. It’s hard to take it all in. Attempting a photo, I realize watching with my eyes and imprinting it in my mind is the closest way to truly capture this moment.
The captain said just a few more hours before the Drake Passageway...the channel in which even strong stomach sailors can get queasy or even dreadfully seasick. My room is on the bottom level of the Antarctic Dream. Looking out the small circular window, water appears just a few feet away. What will occur in just a few hours?!? I've never been on a boat in open sea. Actually, I've never been on a ship at all unless you count a canoe on the river or a speed boat in a lake. Yet here we are about to go through the “D r e a d e d” Drake Passage. Will it really be that bad? I'm N e R v O u s! What was I thinking making this my first experience out to sea!
Several guests are wearing anti nausea patches behind their ears and others have bracelets of sorts on their wrists (and they aren't a new fashion statement). A few have declared they are taking nothing. That's crazy! The captain states once you are sick...it's too late. The medication won't help.
Will most get sick? Will I? Will the waves knock on the window above my bed? Will the gentle, soothing rocking turn into a violent shake? Will it feel like the boat is going to turn sideways?!? What does it feel like to truly be out on the open sea?!?
This is an adventure. They say sailing through the passage is worth it. Guess I'm about to find out. I'm taking a pill and going to bed.
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.