MY FONDEST MEMORIES

BAR TALK

The most crazy and exciting stories i’ve ever heard in my life. Everyone was hanging on the tellers lips. Almost each night there was a bartalk. People gathered around one of the expedition leaders and listened to the trilling story they had to tell. I will never forget the story of … where he almost lost his arm because of an polarbear. Or the one where … were kayaking around Faroer Islands and been followed by, yes, polarbears. The sailing trip of … or how … rolled into a job of being a travel guide of a group in South-America without any experience.

PEOPLE I’VE MET

On a trip like these you’ll meet a lot of like-minded people. People with passion for nature, interest for culure and willing to learn and experience new things. Please don’t get me the wrong way, but as a solo female backpacker i expected to be with mostly couples and retirees on this cruise. But i was so so wrong. It was a beautfiul mix of different ages, couples/singles, friends/family and we were all connecting so well. It felt like one big family. Experience something so remarkeble togheter creates a special bound. You will make friends for life!

POLAR PLUNGE

There is a chance that you’ve already read about it in my artical 10 tips on how to pack for Antarctica, but for me the Polar Plunge is a memory that i’ll never forget. I was nervous since the day the mentioned it. The moment was finally there. A big line from the platform tot the corridor of people in bathrobes. Music was pumping. People were dancing. Expiditions staff was dressed up in funny suits. And then you are standing on that edge of that boat and everybody is watching you. You have to jump, because there is a big line of people behind you waiting. Almost everyone jumped, no matter which age. As soon as you get out of the water this amazing sensation goes through your body. It’s addictive. As soon as you’re out, you want to go back in. Because that was not allowed, we jumped into the jacuzzi instead.

LEARNING ABOUT WILDLIFE

Wildelife. This is probably one of the main reasons you want to go to Antarctica. To see and learn about the wildlife. Antarctica has an abundant variety of wildlife. I’ve seen many penguins, whales, seals and lots and lots of beautiful birds. On our trip we had a passionate ornithologist. He will be etched in my memory forever. Every question that popped into your mind, he would answer it patiently. This man thought us all so much.

SUNSETS

I wrote this down as one of my favourite moments, even though the sun doesn’t really set. It stays daylight from October through March. But… when the sun lowers down it enchantes you with the most beautfiul colours reflecting on the clear white snow. We had a couple of these moments and we all enjoyed them in quietness.