Antarctic summary

For everyone aboard the MV Ushuaia the trip was something very special. We all came with expectations, hopes, dreams and vision of what this magical place would look like, feel like. I think for all of us Antarctica specifically and the trip overall exceeded these expectations. This was a trip that held special importance for me – papa always talked about coming here and never did. I wanted to complete this for him as much as for us both. I think he would have enjoyed the place a lot.





The trip was special for us both also because of the people we met. all of us from day one came together to learn and more importantly enjoy the experiences that we were so lucky to be having. I think that the trip would not have been the same without them.





We saw a great range of wildlife from majestic birds, to aggressive seals, cute penguins to royal whales. The scenery took your breath away at each turn, and meeting the people who actually live and work in this inhospitable place just added to our understanding of this wonderland.



Antarctic is a truly special place, right at the end of the world. Only 33,000 people are able to explore this place each year, and we were really lucky in doing this. 33,000 may sound like a lot of people, but just imagine over 200,000 people visit the Galapagos Islands each year! Was it money well spent?? There is no question - I don’t think there is any doubt that the quality of the expedition, the uniqueness of the location and the special poignancy the trip have made it really a trip of a lifetime.



Antarctica is a place where the extraordinary remains extraordinary

The only negative would be that anywhere else we visit is going to fell just a bit normal, now that we have set foot on to the 7th and final continent!!

The penguins of the Otago peninsula

As you travel around New Zealand’s south island there are 2 major vistas that you see, the amazing scenes of rural life and the ocean. The coastline is varied but consistently beautiful. The beaches are awesome and there are so many lovely fishing villages dotted around the coast. New Zealand’s coastline is also blessed with outstanding flora and fauna, and there is no better place to witness this than the Otago peninsula. Just 30mins from the centre of Dunedin, you are at a point that feels like the edge of the earth – the wind swept cliffs of coastal Otago.



This place is rugged, pretty and darn windy! It is famous for being one of the only places in the world where there is a land based albatross colony. Albatross’s are huge, elegant sea birds that have the longest wingspans of any bird. I remember reading about when I was a kid – when I was really into ornithology. I remember thinking that they were such majestic birds and mysterious – they spend most of their time out to sea, riding the air currents and fishing. I imagined them being out to sea, all alone, kind of sad really, but just another example of nature’s extreme life stories. Here on the Otago peninsula you can watch these birds right from the cliff edge, which was such a thrill.



Funnily enough the real stars of the peninsula aren’t the albatross’s but actually the penguins that live there. One species in particular – the blue chested penguins – are very interesting. They are pretty much the smallest penguin’s species in the world, only 20cms tall. We spayed out on the peninsula until 10pm, when it was getting real dark to watch these amazing birds return from a days feeding out to see. They basically have nests above one of the beaches on the peninsula and every morning before light they waddle out to sea and go fish all day. They then return at night to feed their young and generally chill out for a bit, before returning to see for more feeding.



These penguins are really sensitive to light and are generally really delicate guys, hence the major care the national parks people give them. Wardens supervise their return to their nests each night, and generally make sure they are all ok. It was really hard to see them in the night but in the moon light you could see the gang of 30 or so penguins swimming in formation up to the beach, all jump out and then rest for some time. They then all started tramping up the cliff and before we knew they were right by our feet trying to get home. It was a bizarre feeling to witness this natural phenomenon, and as with all these kinds of experiences, it makes your really appreciate the amazing variety there is in the natural world. From the huge albatross, to the diddy little penguins the Otago peninsula has the lot!