The best way to explore and truly experience a place or event is to let go of any assumption, or expectations and know that it will all be okay in the end.
This was a difficult reality for me in the first 36 hours of my 8-day Antarctica journey. I was on the trip of a lifetime that started in Punta Arenas, Chile and would take me to the Antarctic Peninsula. Myself and the 66 other travelers would be avoiding the 2-day Drake Passage open ocean crossing, and instead take a 2-hour flight just over 1000km to Frei Station on King George Island, that is part of the South Shetland Islands.
The first somersault came during dinner on night one. Our hospitality team updated us that they did not have a flight plan. The weather windows weren’t clearing and they could not predict an accurate time for us to fly south. So we spent that evening standing by and keeping our fingers and toes crossed.
One thing to understand when flying to Antarctica is that the flight is finicky. Due to the severe environment you are flying into, the intense weather that can form over the Drake Passage and the rather short and narrow runway at Frei Station, you only get to fly when the weather is right.
Once reality sunk in that we still didn’t have an ETA for our Antarctica flight a sense of camaraderie swept through the group. People began to commiserate, discuss their packing strategies, and find other topics to distract us from the anxious waiting we all felt.
The second let down came the next morning at breakfast, after a night of tossing and turning and hoping for good news. The hospitality team updated us that we still did not have a flight plan. The airline was continuing to monitoring the weather and there would be an afternoon update.
In an effort t distract myself I set out to explore Punta Arenas, Chile possibly one of the windiest places I’ve ever visited. The Viento Magallanes comes off the Straight of Magellan and just batters the coastline with wind.
I returned to the hotel for lunch and the lobby was a buzz. We had received the message we’d all been waiting for from the hospitality team, We Have a Flight Plan! We would depart from the hotel at 8:00 pm for a 10:30 pm flight to Frei Station, King George Island.
The mood immediately shifted, the hushed whispers and glum faces of my fellow travelers that had plagued us for nearly two days, were now morphing into cheers, excited babbling and smiles across the board.
The anticipation and negative thoughts that had been spiraling in my head for the last two days dissipated. I was full of excitement and energy, I could’ve done cartwheels through the lobby.
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
2 days ago
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
4 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
6 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
1 week ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.