My husband and i went on a once in a lifetime trip to Antarctica in December. It was run by World Expeditions and the guest Lecturer was Peter Hillary. His stories and knowlege of the polar region was stunning. They also had a lady who was an expert in wildlife.

Because the boat only had 54 passengers we got to go out on the Zodiacs (some people even camped on the ice). I reccomend taking rubber gloves to go over your gloves to keep them from getting wet on the Zodiac.

The Penguins are so comical and endearing you can watch them for hours and they you for that matter.

The Landscape is breathtaking! I would whole-heartedly reccomend a vist to this magical land - apparently next year explorer Jon Muir is leading the trip, who i'm sure would be excellent also. If anyone would like to ask me any questions please feel free.
kind regards,
shirley

Rhino, your comments sound as if you went South from New Zealand, yet prompt me to recall a wonderful cruise that we did in January 03. We cruised south from Ushuaia in Patagonia south to the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We had a wonderful time there. Many Zodiac cruises and landings to see the wildlife (Gentoo Penguins are sooooo cute) Seals & Whales & other birds. We visited abandoned stations. Saw Icebergs Calving & Camped out in the open on the ice, plunged into Antarctic waters and sat in warm water at Deception Island (like Hot water beach here).We also experienced Storm conditions in the Drake Passage. We had many photo opportunities in a very special place. Never to be forgotten.
There was an article on Antarctica in the travel destinations section, but I can't find it today

Post deleted at 20 Oct 2009 9:36pm by katydid