Penguins Live in Zoos. Why Go to Antarctica?

I get this comment and question often.  After all, I am not particularly young or adventurous, and my travel budget is limited.  Plus, I work in a hospital and my vacation time is limited.  So, why the insistent urge to travel to the end of the world?

First, there are places in this world where people aren't, and that attracts me.  Antarctica fits that requirement perfectly.  At any given time in the summer, from roughly November 1 to March 1, there are approximately  5000 people on a continent that is one and a half times larger than the United States.  Talk about being sparsely populated!

Sights and things to do in Artarctica cannot be exactly replicated in other places.  Icebergs are magical, almost living, entities.  Watch them as they reflect sunlight, show a blue diagonal stripe down the side or turn "turtle" to present a different look.

Have you ever wanted to or, even thought about, camping out in Antarctica on one of their thousands of tiny, snow covered islands.  The expedition company that I chose for this trip, Quark, offered a night of camping as one of their extra options, and others companies may do so, also.  I paid about $250 for the pleasure of cocooning in a sleeping bag in a small, 2-man tent, sleeping on a thin rubber mat.  Was I cold?  Not really, until it was time to get up.  Did I sleep?  I did, awakened only periodically by gusting winds and rain showers.

Third, many travelers to Antarctica are simply ga-ga over penguins and other wildlife.   Yes, you can see penguins in zoos, but it doesn't compare to having a Chinstrap Penguin hop down to the water as you sit nearby on the rocky beach.  We were taught not to walk toward or agitate penguins or seals, but to consider it an unforgettable photo op if we were approached.  What an experience!

Of course, orange, smelly penguin poop happens...

It's true.  Even with all the required fleece, long johns x 2, multiple gloves and glove liners, extra wool cap, socks by the handful and the myriad of electronics we can't leave home without, I managed to zip my small carry on bag and meet the weight restrictions at the airport for my recent trip to Antarctica.

And what a trip it was!  Join me as I blog about this incredible expedition, post photos and offer helpful hints for selecting travel resources, packing for and experiencing this incredible wilderness or any of my other travels to over 80 countries and all seven continents.

We 'll have a great time, whether you are an armchair traveler, or like me can't wait to see what is around the next bend in the road.

                                                                                                               Nancy Tardy
                                                                                                               3/4/2013