In January 2025, I’m headed south on a Viking Cruise to Antarctica! Check back for my blog entries! We will fly to Argentina and board the cruise ship at the southern part of the country. We will then travel across the Drake Passage to the Antarctica Peninsula.
You can see where our ship is, and see a camera that shows a 360 degree view from the ship at https://viking.panomax.com/polaris
Check out my blog posts below!
- Our final day in Antarcticaby Aunty MoToday is Wednesday, and its our last day in Antarctica. We started our day at Edinburgh Hill, which is comprised of basalt. The three of boarded a zodiak and we headed to the base of the Hill. Upon our return, we attended a session led by Kata on “Oceans’ Wolves”…
- Busy, busy, busyby Aunty MoTechnically I have started writing this post on our busiest day thus far. Just barely. Pictures and videos will have to wait – way too many for me to go thru and upload! My sister started the day by going out on the science zodiak and working with other guests…
- Under the sea and whats nextby Aunty MoMom’s wish to go under the sea in a yellow submarine (it was actually yellow) was finally fulfilled today! After a fun BBQ lunch on deck 6, my sister and mom got ready for their submersible dive. Turned out 2 of the others on their sub were a couple we…
- We Made it to the 7th Continent!by Aunty MoI think this was the 3rd try (at least 3rd attempted day) and we finally stepped foot on the 7th Continent! We awoke to nearly clear skies and nearly calm water conditions. At 730am when we looked outside, we could see the crew taking out the zodiaks to scout and…
- Canceled plansby Aunty MoSo on the 17th, after our surprise SOB venture, my sister and I were supposed to have gone on a kayak, and all three of us were going to go on a landing. Unfortunately the kayak and landing were cancelled due to the winds and waves. Instead, we got to…
- End of Saturday Jan 18by Aunty MoAfter our SOB ride this morning, we did a variety of things onboard. My sister and I worked out, and we did laundry. After lunch, my sister and I spent some time at the spa in the pool and hot tub. My sister went to the bow to watch for…
- Second SOBby Aunty MoThis morning’s scheduled SOB for us was at 9am, and it was for all 3 of us. We were fortunate that our guide today was Dennis, the “penguin guy”. He said this was the first time the ship had been able to stop at this spot this season – the…
- Surprise SOBby Aunty MoDuring the Science on Viking talk, we got a notice about an SOB opportunity for the next day. And that would be a “Special Operations Boat”. So I was able to get mom scheduled for Friday Jan 17 at 930 am, and my sister and I at 1030. We helped…
- Science on Vikingby Aunty MoThe Polaris and her sister ship Octantis both have a full science team, and they gather data and perform various scientific research. Dr. Brandi and gave a presentation Thursday morning in the hour or so leading up to our arrival in Antarctica about that science. She spoke of how growing…
- First Zodiakby Aunty MoAround 4pm we got on our first zodiak ride! So we got all bundled up. and headed out into the snow. We got to see 2 types of penguins – gentoo and chinstrap. A successful trip! Afterwards, my sister and I made a stop in the Nordic Store so we…
- We made it!by Aunty MoThe first sighting of Antarctica! Announcement from the captain came over at 1214pm our time. My sister was in the gym and my mom in her cabin. I messaged my mom to come out and check it out! Then went to see my sister and we could see land from…
- Kayaking scheduledby Aunty MoWhile attending the Beginners Guide to Phone Photography, where we learned a few tricks, my sister and I were notified that we have been scheduled for our kayak trip tomorrow! And we are also scheduled for our first landing after that. After the phone photography session, we found the board…
- Almost thereby Aunty MoWe are expected to reach Antarctica in about 3-4 hours. It will be noon – 1pm our time, 2-3pm east coast time (I’ll let everyone else do their time conversion!) Assuming weather conditions (and really the wave and wind conditions) are what is expected, we will go on our first…
- Drake Passageby Aunty MoI woke at 430am and this was the view from our cabin Showering was a bit interesting since the Drake Passage was not a lake. It wasn’t a shake either, but the ship was moving enough to make showering a bit of an adventure. Around 730am, I headed down one…
- Ushuaiaby Aunty MoUp at o dark thirty (405am) we prepared to check out of the hotel and board our 520am bus back to the airport. Then back to the airport to board yet another plane to head to Ushuaia, the southernmost city. Here we are boarding our flight! and mom enjoying some…
- Buenes Airesby Aunty MoAfter a roughly 5 hour flight from Oakland to Miami, a 2 hour layover, a roughly 9 hour flight from Miami to Buenes Aires and a 1 hour bus ride, we made it to the hotel! We got checked in, but rooms weren’t ready yet. Then off to the hospitality…
- The day has arrived!by Aunty MoOur trip day has arrived! Our ride share driver Nate was efficient and courteous on the drive from Oakland to San Francisco. He graciously loaded and unloaded our bags, and provided door to door service. Here we are with our bags before heading to the airport (I’ll rotate it later…
- One More Dayby Aunty MoWe are all checked in. In 24 hours we will be almost to Miami as we begin our trek south! Today has been a low key day for us. I helped my mom go thru and organize/streamline her carry-on. My sister has been fine tuning her packing and finishing up…
- Day “-2”by Aunty MoIts Friday, and i’m at Honolulu Airport. Time to fly to Oakland to meet up with my mom and sister. Officially our trip starts Sunday! I hope/plan to update the blog throughout the trip! Somehow I have managed to get all I need in these 2 bags that I will…
- A week beforeby Aunty MoIn a week I will head from Honolulu to Oakland, CA to meet up with my mom and sister. I get there Friday, and then Sunday we start our journey south. And then further south. I have been following along with others who have taken the cruise on the Viking…
- Packing for Antarcticaby Aunty MoPacking for this trip is tricky for sure. Especially when one has lived in Hawaii for nearly 25 years! Attempting to get everything needed into a carry-on is another hurdle. We can definitely check a bag, but I have read of people’s checked bags missing a flight, and then you…
- Seventh Continentby Aunty MoIn January 2025, I will head south with my mother and sister for a cruise to Antarctica. While the trip was not on my “bucket list”, it has been on my mother’s for a couple years. As we have been planning the trip, I am getting increasingly excited about the…