*Summer of 2019. A small room where two people sit with stale coffee.*
Interviewer: Rachel, describe what Hell would be like for you
Rachel (that’s me) : I’m glad you asked Gene. Hell to me would be … being in close quarters with lots of people. And not being able to escape them! … like on a boat or something.
Interviewer (whose name is Gene, I guess) : It sounds like you’re describing a cruise
Rachel : I guess I am - yeah that does NOT sound fun to me
View from the ship (Rachel Shull)
*Fade to months later. Same room. No coffee. Rachel is sitting with a woman this time. Rachel appears to be 16 pounds heavier than before*
Interviewer: Sorry Gene couldn’t make it, today. He got double booked and is interviewing Natasha Beddingfield today…
…...
…
So! How did the cruise go? Was it truly hell?
Rachel : I will admit I was skeptical, but it really had it’s advantages! In addition to really being the only feasible way for a regular traveler to visit Antarctica, it grew on me *she pats her belly*
Interviewer : So what’s it like being on a boat that long? Did the people drive you crazy?
Rachel : Well, as you can read in my other publication titled “I Like Rules”, there was a group I almost tossed overboard, but for the most part, there was a sense of comradery among all of us that made conversation easy to start among strangers. Everyone asks each other “Why did you want to go to Antarctica.” The answers told you everything you needed to know about that person. It was like a shortcut to the depth of people.
Antarctica! (Rachel Shull)
Interviewer: That’s great to hear! How about the ship? Did you feel claustrophobic?
Rachel : I thought I would, but going out on the deck and just witnessing the expanse of the waters or ice, made me feel more free than ever. I understand what’s really claustrophobic now : cubicles.
Interviewer: Everyone has to ask, how was crossing the Drake Passage?
Rachel : Honestly, it was fun to be on a ship crossing the Drake passage. Albeit a very pampered version, I felt like I was in the wake of Shackleton himself. And once I saw those penguins, those icebergs, and those vast expenses of nothing but snow and ice, I didn’t care how I got there. I was in Antarctica - that was all that mattered.
Trying to stay warm! (Rachel Shull)
Interviewer: Do you think having a newer/nicer ship elevated the experience?
Rachel: I can pretend to be an “adventure-purest” all I want, but I won’t lie that having wine available with dinner each night made me feel fancy. That having a small sauna to run to after the polar plunge didn’t thaw me out quicker. I have no base of comparison, but I’m sure the new stabilizers helped our sailing. The most luxurious element to me was having a french balcony in our cabin. Being able to roll the window down and be lulled to sleep from the waves against the ship is one of the most luxurious moments of my life. Now, do I need these things to travel? No, but cake is always tastier with frosting.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
