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The trip of a lifetime
  • Around the World with Jan

The trip of a lifetime

A 26-day adventure by Around the World with Jan Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 18, 2017
    Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    Street art in Santiago
    Around every corner, something uniquePre-Columbian artefactHome away from homeChanging of the guardKeeping cool in the Summer heat

    The trip of a lifetime

    January 19, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    It was hot when I left Sydney airport and just as hot when I reached Santiago. I had wanted to go to Antarctica all my life and couldn’t quite believe that I was now on the first step of what turned out to be the most incredible journey…..

    Over the coming weeks, I would run out of words to describe Antarctica and the amazing things we saw in the most remote part of our planet.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    A little piece of England in Stanley, the FalklandsMaggie Thatcher, respected and reveredAm I really going out in something so small?Home for the next 18 daysWhat have I done?

    Heading South

    January 21, 2017 in Falkland Islands ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    The day the trip really begins. I boarded the flight to Stanley wondering what lay ahead of us. There's only one flight a week so you can't afford to miss it or you miss the boat, literally, not a good look.

    What we found was a little piece of England with English shops, houses and people. The Falklands is a windswept island, it was raining, it was cold and the scenery seemed dark and brooding to those of us from sunnier shores.

    Nothing prepared me for the size of the Polar Pioneer - it was much smaller than I expected and I was about to sail off into the open sea - bloody hell, what had I done?

    We set off in the early evening for 2 days of open sea to get us to South Georgia. A time to get to know my fellow travellers, read a little and learn more about where we were going from our on-board experts.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    The fog starts to lift
    The welcoming partyWho could resist a face like this?The cutest eyesA delegationSafely nesting in the grass

    South Georgia

    January 24, 2017 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Our first sight of South Georgia was in fog with no sign of land. By lunchtime we were heading for the Zodiacs for the first time, the ship filled with an air of excitement. We had arrived.

    We were greeted by a delegation of King penguins and the beach was littered with seals and elephant seals. The time of year meant that we were surrounded by the cutest baby fur seals all clambering for attention, their cute little faces lifted to take a look at the strange new creatures in their domain.

    Our second Zodiac adventure of the day took us Point Rosa where Shackleton's men found shelter and fresh water all those years ago. Neither dressed nor prepared for this harsh continent, they struggled to find their way home unlike us with our warm cabins and delicious food to look forward to at the end of the day.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    In Shackleton's footsteps
    Paying our respects to a heroAs cute as a button!Abandoned whaling stationAre you sure we aren't being followed?Time to party

    Grytviken

    January 28, 2017 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The days have fallen into a steady rhythm of wonderful meals and amazing trips out to the various islands as we headed down towards the Antarctic Peninsula.

    We started to run out of words to describe this stunning, overwhelming and beautiful place. Nothing prepares you for the majesty of the landscape, towering icebergs that dominate the horizon, whales feeding as the sun starts to set and the pungent odour of seal and penguin colonies as we approached land.

    You feel so small, so insignificant in such a vast and spectacular place.

    We saw the impact of man on the environment as we explored Shackleton's route to Stromness and his grave at Grytviken. One can only imagine the horror and brutality of the whaling industry captured in black and white images displayed in the small museum. It was a hard life for those who came here from Scotland and Scandinavia to make money for a better life for their families. At the same time,the majestic creatures that ply the waters of Antarctica are still trying to recover from the rape and pillage of their environment.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    A light dusting early in the morning
    A huge tabular icebergTaking it easy between feedsLost for wordsLike a mirrorGoing down

    Antarctica at last

    February 1, 2017 in Antarctica ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After a couple of days at sea we were all keen to get off the boat and explore this vast continent for ourselves. As the sun came out it played with the colours around us on the ice, making the snow glow as if lit by a spotlight. It provided a stark contrast to the dark and, in some cases pink, of the rocks.

    This was where we started to see icebergs, big ones. Tabular 'bergs the size of apartment blocks floating beside as we woke up and peered out the windows. Icebergs sculpted by wind and weather, deciding where the ship could go and when. Large objects of beauty and danger where at any time, a calving could mean being swept out of kayak or much worse. Indescribably beautiful to look at.

    We continued to be surrounding by wildlife and birds. Creatures who thrive in the harshest of environments yet fragile at the same time to any interference by man.

    The ocean continued to be kind to us. No rough seas to have us confined to beds or cabins. Just endless opportunities for adventure for a group of people eager to enjoy all of it.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    Running out of words
    Too cuteSomething to warm us upThe sights and sounds of AntarcticaA piece of historyDeception Island, still active

    Heading for Cabo de Hornos

    February 5, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C

    This wonderful continent continued to entrance us as each day passed.

    Using the zodiacs we skirted amazing ice sculptures of bright blue and jade green both translucent and transparent. Every time the fog lifted a wonderland of carved ice, amazing shapes and stunning colours were revealed to us. We just kept on taking pictures.

    Over the following days, we were delighted to be able to pay a visit to some wonderful landing spots – Mikkelsen Harbour, Trinity Island, Cierva Cove, Deception Island, Port Lockroy, Port Charcot and the amazing Lemaire Channel to name just some of them.

    We were constantly bombarded by the sounds and smells of a parade of Gentoo, Adele and Chinstrap penguins, seals, whales and too many birds to count. No-one ever tired of watching this beautiful landscape and its amazing inhabitants, we were left in awe after each excursion and wanting more.

    All things must end and for us it was reaching Cabo de Hornos, Cape Horn, after a fairly easy crossing of the Drake Passage. To our delight we were able to land and get off the boat to explore the little lighthouse and meet the lighthouse keeper and his family. Not all sailors passing this way are so fortunate.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan
    On land at last
    A cosy bolt-hole in Punta ArenasSaying farewell to the southCentral market SantiagoThe view from 65 stories upMatilda's boutique hotel

    Punta Arenas

    February 8, 2017 in Chile ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    It seemed like yesterday that we drifted through Punta Arenas on our way to board the Polar Pioneer. Now, our charter flight brought us from Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in Chile, to Punta Arenas, the first step on our way home.

    As we left the airport, we were like a group of lost souls, all with a different final destination cast adrift on land to fend for ourselves.

    For me, the rest of the trip consisted of a few days in Santiago to enjoy the great food and history and then back on the plane home with memories that will last a lifetime. A group of wonderful travelling companions who shared some time with me in one of the most beautiful corners of our planet. It doesn’t get much better than that.    Read more

  • Around the World with JanThe trip of a lifetimeAround the World with Jan

    Heading home

    February 11, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    It's hard to believe that the trip is almost over and I'm on my way home. This adventure was everything I expected and then some.

    I've come away feeling privileged that I was able to visit Antarctica and concerned that man shouldn't be there in the first place.

    It's a conundrum that I'm sure others have felt when they return from a very special place which you never want to see change.    Read more

    Trip end
    February 12, 2017
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