I still can’t quite wrap my head around it. Antarctica marked my sixth continent, but for Carl, my partner in life, it was his seventh and final one. It had been on his bucket list for as long as I’ve known him, and watching him finally reach that goal made the whole trip feel even more meaningful.
We started in Ushuaia, Argentina, a little port town at the very bottom of South America. The air felt different there; cleaner somehow, filled with that quiet buzz that comes before something big. When our ship, the SH Vega, pulled away from the dock and the peaks of Patagonia disappeared into the fog, I remember thinking, this is it. The last stop on his seven-continent journey, and one I’d dreamed about too.
The Drake Passage lived up to its reputation. Some people call it “The Drake Shake,” and I get why. The waves have their own personality. It was calm one moment and full of attitude the next. Still, there was something kind of comforting about it, like the ocean was making sure we were ready before letting us in.
And then one morning, I woke up to a world that didn’t look real. Antarctica. Icebergs the size of buildings, water so still it looked like glass, and that silence everyone talks about. You don’t really understand silence until you’ve stood there. It isn’t empty or eerie. It’s peaceful. One woman from New York turned to me and said, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard silence before.” That moment stuck with me.
We spent our days exploring by Zodiac boats, weaving through ice and spotting penguins everywhere. And I mean everywhere. They’re the funniest little things; confident, clumsy, and curious all at once. Watching them reminded me not to take life too seriously. They fall, they get back up, they keep going. I’ve probably seen enough penguins now to last a lifetime, but honestly, I’d stop for every single one again.
And because let’s be real, we all want to hear about the food — it was incredible. Every meal on the SH Vega felt special. Perfectly cooked beef and prawns, fresh veggies with sauces you wanted to lick off the plate, and desserts that were almost too pretty to eat. The wine was flowing, the cocktails were fun, and the whole dining experience just felt easy and happy — the way good food with good company should. Ten out of ten, would recommend sailing hungry.
There was a man on board celebrating his 90th birthday, and he brought his whole family along. This was Keith’s dream trip, and the crew made sure it was special, and they even let him take the wheel. We had dinner with him a few times and became close with his kids who were our age. His laugh lines were deep, his stories even deeper. Watching him surrounded by his children was one of those moments that makes you stop and really feel it. Keith is an inspiration; checking off many more destinations through his travels and still running marathons!
That stayed with me. There’s something about standing on the far side of this planet, looking at someone you love, and realizing, this is your life. You both made it here. You get to see this, together. That’s something I’ll never forget.
Of course, there were laughs too. My daughter, Kiya, texted me mid-trip to tell me there had been an alien sighting in Antarctica. I laughed so hard. Honestly, if there were ever a place for something otherworldly, this would be it. The light alone feels unreal. For the record, we didn’t see any aliens… we don’t think.
On our way back through the South Shetland Islands, surrounded by seabirds gliding beside the ship, I felt so grateful. Antarctica wasn’t just another destination. It was a reminder to slow down, to be present, and to really appreciate the gift of sharing the world with someone you love.
I’ve attached a copy of our itinerary below for anyone who’s ever dreamed about going. And if you ever do, take someone you love. Bring your child, your best friend, your parents, your grandkids. There’s something special about standing at the bottom of the world and hugging someone you love, both of you realizing just how big and beautiful life really is.
#Antarctica, #TravelGoals, #BucketList, #SevenContinents, #AdventureTravel, #PolarExpedition, #Ushuaia, #Patagonia, #DrakePassage, #SHVega, #SwanHellenic, #AntarcticCruise, #ExpeditionCruise, #TravelCouple, #Wanderlust, #JourneyOfALifetime, #ExploreTheWorld, #TravelInspiration, #NatureLovers, #WildlifePhotography, #Penguins, #Icebergs, #TravelStories, #TravelMemories, #LuxuryCruise, #TravelWithLove, #CouplesWhoTravel, #BucketListAdventure, #GlacialBeauty, #AntarcticaDreams, #TravelTogether, #MeaningfulTravel, #EpicJourneys, #TravelPhotography, #ArcticVibes, #OnceInALifetime, #AdventureAwaits, #SlowTravel, #SeeTheWorld
Leave a Reply