Linda, Passenger
Day 0 – 20 December
The briefing day in Punta Arenas. At 18:00, we met the team from Quixote Expeditions and our fellow travelers—a diverse group from all corners of the world: USA, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Netherlands—10 travelers in total. We started with a short introduction, some snacks, and (sparkling) wine.
We talked about past trips and the preparation for this adventure. It was clear this was going to be fun!
Day 1 – 21 December
Departure day! Quixote’s instructions were that we would be picked up starting at noon. We completed a final gear check and packed our luggage before boarding the plane. Upon landing, we stepped directly onto the tarmac at King George Island. Warm clothing and sturdy boots were essential. Everything went smoothly, and we enjoyed tasty snacks onboard Antarctic Airways. Thirty minutes before landing, we geared up. As we descended slowly, we spotted the first icebergs and whales from the plane. The day was beautifully sunny and clear.
And there we were! Our group was the first to disembark, thanks to the luxury of traveling with Quixote as our operator.
After a short bus ride, we reached the beach where the Zodiacs were waiting. The first penguins were already there to greet us warmly. The Hans Hansson was quickly prepared to depart once everyone had been welcomed aboard and settled in by the crew. We set sail for Half Moon, where we planned to make our first landing the next morning.
Day 2 – Half Moon
We woke up early for breakfast and headed to the Zodiacs. It was our first landing on Antarctica—a true expedition! At Half Moon, we encountered a colony of Chinstrap penguins visible on the beach and atop the hills as soon as we landed.
We spent an hour strolling and taking photographs under Hugh’s guidance. There was plenty of close-up action as penguins bickered, enhanced their nests with new stones, and took turns guarding their nests. A lone Gentoo penguin patrolled the beach. The unique rock formations created a stunning setting, perfect for capturing beautiful photographs and admiring the adorable penguins.
After a delightful lunch, we sailed toward the Antarctic Peninsula to spend the night at Trinity Island. Along the way, we spotted humpback whales. In the evening, Becky organized a fun game to help us get to know each other better. Hugh shared stories from his time as a sheep farmer, Margareth recounted being accused of witchcraft in Cameroon, and Beverly recalled being left in a tree by Peter on the Savannah. What an evening!
Day 3 – Trinity Island
We woke up to a misty but stunning morning surrounded by icebergs. After a slow start to the day, we enjoyed a fantastic pasta lunch before embarking on a Zodiac trip. For more than 3 hours, we cruised through bright blue ice, dramatic gray cliffs, and drifting ice floes. Julian and Voy expertly navigated the icy waters, giving us plenty of opportunities to capture incredible photographs of the landscape and wildlife.
We saw a humpback whale and Gentoo penguins leaping from the water onto the ice or diving back in. We waited for the perfect moment to photograph curious penguins framed by ice in the background. The fairytale-like scenery often left us speechless.
As the icing on the cake, we spotted a few sleeping seals—both crabeater and Weddell—lounging on the ice. Back on the boat, warm tea, cookies, and chips awaited us. It was a delightful way to end the day.
Later on Day 3 – Michelson Bay
We headed out for a second exploration in Michelson Bay. It was snowing lightly, so we dressed warmly for the landing.
At 22:00, we returned from an expedition to a Gentoo penguin colony on a cozy little island with varying elevations. Nests were being built, and eggs were being incubated, but no chicks were visible yet—it wouldn’t be long. We hope to see some later during the trip, snuggled under the warm bodies of their parents.
Navigating the snow required care to avoid disturbing the penguins’ “highways” or creating large postholes that could harm them. On the other side of the island, there was a beach where an elephant seal was lounging and making loud noises that sounded like huge burps. Meanwhile, the penguins ran around nervously or watched the seal warily.
Back on the boat, the excitement didn’t end. We enjoyed a decadent chocolate cake (absolutely delicious!), the much-anticipated wine and beers, and a lively game of Eucher. The competition heated up—revenge would surely be taken in the next round!
