[aslyfox]

I've been to 5 4 of the 7 continents

missing South America, Asia and Antarctica

so I am thinking about my 65th birthday next January

and getting two of the three

South America and Antarctica

so who has been to Antarctica


what was your experience like

what suggestions do you have

including on how to convince the wife to let me go [ and then come back home ]

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Last edited by aslyfox; 08-21-2021 at 03:01 AM.

[gofour3]

I've been twice.

First trip was via New Zealand/Australia to the Ross Sea area and sub Antarctic islands of those two countries.

Second time was via Chile/Argentina to the peninsula area.


The Ross Sea area trip was double the length/price, as you have to cross the Southern ocean twice, so many open sea days and sea sickness in the smaller ship.

The Ross sea area also had better wildlife, including Emperor penguins which you don't get in the warmer northern peninsula area.The Ross Sea area is also way colder, so harder on your camera gear. Thsi trip also feature helicopter landings as well as the regular zodiac ones.

Well worth the cost.

Phil.

Emperor penguin & our ship in the Ross Sea area of Antarctica. (You can see the helicopters at the back of the ship)

[boriscleto]

I've been to 5 of the 7 continents

missing South America, Asia and Antarctica

so I am thinking about my 65th birthday next January

and getting two of the three

South America and Antarctica

so who has been to Antarctica


what was your experience like

what suggestions do you have

including on how to convince the wife to let me go [ and then come back home ]

If you want to see penguins before they go extinct you should probably do it soon.

[aslyfox]

as I understand it, you cannot go to New Zealand now b/c of covid

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Last edited by aslyfox; 08-20-2021 at 10:08 AM.

[gofour3]

as I understand it, you cannot go to New Zealand now b/c of covid

Same with Australia, best wait till the winter of 2022-2023, as you don't want to spend all that money and have to cancel because of COVID...

Travel season to the Antarctic is mostly Dec-Feb.

Phil.

[UncleVanya]

@sandy Hancock

Sandy went a year or two ago and might have some pertinent advice and comments. Since he lives in Australia the trip isn’t quite as much of an undertaking.

[aslyfox]

what wildlife other than Emperors would I see at Ross as opposed to the Peninsular trip

[alamo5000]

I've been to 5 of the 7 continents

missing South America, Asia and Antarctica

so I am thinking about my 65th birthday next January

and getting two of the three

South America and Antarctica

so who has been to Antarctica


what was your experience like

what suggestions do you have

including on how to convince the wife to let me go [ and then come back home ]

Personally I would skip it. You will see the inside of a boat for most of it and unless you are extremely 'seasoned' your face will be in a barf bag most of the trip.


You show up and see penguins and other wildlife...and hopefully you bring a long lens...

It all depends on what you want out of things.


If you fly in that will be different but still not that big of a deal if you ask me. The gearing up for the trip will be more fun than the actual trip itself.

[gofour3]

what wildlife other than Emperors would I see at Ross as opposed to the Peninsular trip

You see more varieties of penguins/birds/whales/seals on that trip, because you go through more varied climates and landscapes. Even on the open Southern Ocean you see the big birds like albatrosses and many species of whales. We also saw more penguins on the Australian sub Antarctic island of MacQuarie than the entire peninsula trip combined. Those island stops break-up the trip to/from Australia/New Zealand.

In the Ross Sea area you also get to visit numerous old explorer huts (Shackleton & Scott) as well and also some occupied research stations like the American McMurdo station.

My wife with some King penguins on MacQuarie Island:

Phil.

[stevebrot]

so who has been to Antarctica

My daughter has and says it was absolutely worth it.


Steve

[robgski]

Worth it? As opposed to not going and always wondering if you should have?
We all die, it is best to live a life that will make the obituary worth reading, and envying

[aslyfox]

Worth it? As opposed to not going and always wondering if you should have?
We all die, it is best to live a life that will make the obituary worth reading, and envying

there are many different priorities in life

for example, I would never pay one of those guys to ride up to the upper reaches of the atmosphere

but some will

[K2 to K50]

You see more varieties of penguins/birds/whales/seals on that trip, because you go through more varied climates and landscapes. Even on the open Southern Ocean you see the big birds like albatrosses and many species of whales. We also saw more penguins on the Australian sub Antarctic island of MacQuarie than the entire peninsula trip combined. Those island stops break-up the trip to/from Australia/New Zealand.

In the Ross Sea area you also get to visit numerous old explorer huts (Shackleton & Scott) as well and also some occupied research stations like the American McMurdo station.

My wife with some King penguins on MacQuarie Island:

Phil.

Love how you caught the interaction between the penguin and your wife - beautiful moment!

[swanlefitte]

I've been to 5 of the 7 continents

missing South America, Asia and Antarctica

]

Someone has to ask. 7-3 =4. What is the fifth?

[stevebrot]

Someone has to ask. 7-3 =4. What is the fifth?

Waiting for the flames to fall...this is not going to be pretty!


Steve