THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT

Antarctica has always been a dream destination for me. From a young age, I was captivated by this icy continent, and I remember thinking, “If I make it to Antarctica by the time I’m 40, I’ll know I’ve really made it in life!” It’s funny how we set goals when we’re younger and define success in our own way. Well, fast forward to December 2024, and at the ripe age of 41, I finally made it to Antarctica. But as soon as I stepped foot on that frozen land, I knew I’d be back. Antarctica is vast, filled with wildlife, and much like Africa, its animals are seasonal and scattered across the continent.

My journey began on December 2nd, 2024, when five other fellow Honey Badgers and I started our Antarctica experience in Punta Arenas, Chile. We met the fantastic Antarctica team and attended an informative briefing. We got fitted for our special snow boots, and some guests even rented jackets and pants. That evening, we gathered with the other 58 passengers for a wonderful welcome dinner, complete with Pisco Sours, at the Explorers House in Punta Arenas. The excitement in the air was contagious, and we could hardly wait for the next morning when we’d finally fly to Antarctica!

The next morning, we were up early, organising our luggage for the expedition. With a strict 20kg luggage limit, we had to make sure all our snow gear was on and ready to go. Once we landed on King George Island in Antarctica, we’d be exposed to the extreme Antarctic weather, so it was crucial to be fully prepared. Let’s just say, I’ve never felt less glamorous for a flight before! But it was all part of the adventure.

During breakfast, we received the exciting news that our flight to Antarctica would be departing in just a few hours – there was a perfect weather window for flying! We quickly made our way to Punta Arenas airport and checked in for our flight to King George Island. The journey to Antarctica was incredible. The plane was surprisingly spacious and comfortable, with plenty of legroom and ample space for our camera gear in the overhead bins. We couldn’t help but smile when we saw that our plane was actually painted to look like a penguin – it felt like a fitting start to our Antarctic adventure!

The landing in Antarctica was absolutely unreal. As we touched down, all I could see was endless ice stretching as far as the eye could reach. It felt so surreal, and even now, I still can’t quite believe I’m here. The excitement among the Honey Badgers was contagious! After disembarking, we boarded a bus that took us through Frei Station and down to the shore, where our ship’s Zodiacs were waiting. The weather was intense – strong, cold winds that made everything feel even more raw and wild. While we waited to board the Zodiacs, we spotted our first Gentoo penguin, adding to the excitement.

The ride to the ship was thrilling, with waves crashing over the Zodiacs. Thankfully, my camera gear was safe and secure in a weatherproof bag and cover. Once on board, everything was incredibly well-organised. To my delight, our triple-berth cabin turned out to be surprisingly spacious. We were then treated to a delicious lunch in the restaurant before spending the afternoon exploring the ship and participating in an emergency drill, ensuring we were fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a fascinating lecture on Antarctica’s wildlife and history, which gave us a deeper understanding of the incredible place we were visiting. Later in the evening, we gathered for our nightly briefing about the next day’s activities. But just as we were settling in, the meeting was wonderfully interrupted by a large pod of humpback whales! They came incredibly close to the ship, and it was such a special moment. For Honey Badger Glen, it was a particularly magical experience as it was his first time ever seeing a whale. We also spotted Gentoo penguins leaping out of the water, adding even more magic to the moment.

After another delicious meal, we headed back to our cabins, but just as we were settling in, an announcement came over the speakers: we’d be approaching a famous iceberg around 10 p.m., just an hour before sunset! I couldn’t believe it—the daylight hours were absolutely mind-blowing. We were experiencing 11 p.m. sunsets and 2 a.m. sunrises! It quickly dawned on me that sleep would be in short supply for the next few days, but with so much to see, I wasn’t complaining!

Today was the day we’d finally set foot on the Antarctic continent! Our first landing would be at Primavera Point. The air was fresh and crisp as we made our way to shore on the Zodiac, and I quickly realized I’d overpacked on the layers. Once I started walking and exploring, I was more than warm enough!

As we arrived, we were welcomed by a group of chinstrap penguins, who were surprisingly close to the shore. It was a photographer’s dream, and I made the most of it, switching between my 70-200mm and 400mm lenses to capture the shots.

For a few of our Honey Badgers, this was their final continent to set foot on, and was captured with an official flag. A special moment.

In the afternoon, we went on our first Zodiac cruise through calm, icy waters with plenty of floating ice. The conditions were perfect, and the water was as smooth as glass.

We came across a colony of Gentoo Penguins and spotted our first Weddell Seal.

The last 15 minutes of the cruise were the best, though, when we finally saw the animal I was most excited to photograph: the leopard seal. It was a young one, resting on a small iceberg, and seemed totally relaxed around us. Its fur had a cool two-tone look from being half wet, and its sharp trident shaped teeth were impressive. This was definitely the highlight of my trip—a bucket-list species for sure.

We stopped at Paradise Bay during our trip, and it was absolutely stunning. We landed in the morning, and it turned out to be the perfect spot for gentoo penguin breeding colonies. It was a great opportunity to capture some of our best shots of these charming penguins in their natural habitat.

After our morning at Paradise Bay, we returned to the ship to gear up for the thrilling polar plunge! Everyone was a bit nervous about jumping into the icy waters of Antarctica. The water temperature was a chilling -1°C, but the weather was perfect. We were instructed to put on our swimsuits and bathrobes before heading to the disembarkation deck. There, a rope was attached to our torsos for safety, and we made our way onto the gangway before taking the plunge straight into the freezing water. It felt like a shock to the system—an adrenaline rush like no other! Afterward, we were handed a shot of vodka and helped back into our robes, feeling completely invigorated and energized. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to do it again someday!

In the afternoon, we explored Neko Harbour, another fantastic spot for observing gentoo penguin colonies and taking in stunning glacier views. It was incredible to watch the penguins navigate their “penguin highways,” making their way from the shore to their nesting sites.

One morning, we woke up to find ourselves completely surrounded by ice – it was absolutely breathtaking! The scene felt so surreal and special that I couldn’t resist calling my family on FaceTime to share the moment. The Ocean Nova’s excellent internet made it all possible!

Afterward, we spent the morning cruising through Graham’s Passage in a Zodiac, and the ship’s photographer joined us, adding a fun touch to the experience. The surroundings were nothing short of spectacular, with towering icebergs as far as the eye could see. We were also lucky enough to spot our first Adelie penguin, and had unforgettable views of humpback whales breaking the surface of the icy waters – truly a morning to remember!

In the afternoon, we ventured out for another continental landing, this time at Portal Point, which offers stunning views of the Gerlache Strait. We hiked up a small hill, and the panoramic vista from the top was absolutely spectacular. Afterward, we had the chance to spend some time observing our first crabeater seal, adding a unique touch to an already unforgettable day.

In the evening, we enjoyed the most fun Antarctic BBQ on the top deck of the ship. The weather was absolutely perfect, creating the ideal vibe for the occasion. The food was delicious, and the whole experience was unforgettable – a true highlight of our journey!

Caren dancing up a storm with Aussie expedition leader Kaz

Our last day in Antarctica turned out to be unexpected and adventurous. After days of beautiful, rare weather, it abruptly came to an end. The head expedition leader called an emergency meeting with all the guests on board to inform us that severe weather was approaching the Antarctic Peninsula, and we would need to fly back to Punta Arenas a day earlier than planned. Despite the disappointment, the entire situation was handled smoothly with clear, informative communication every step of the way. While the change of plans was out of our control, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the incredible days we had already experienced. We had a small farewell before gathering our belongings and disembarking the Ocean Nova on our zodiacs.

We arrived back at Frei Station in the afternoon and were directed to a makeshift airport lounge, constructed from shipping containers. As we waited, we watched the plane land, noticing a fog beginning to roll in around the station. Once we boarded, we settled in, but the pilot soon informed us that our departure would be delayed due to the fog. Four hours later, we were still on the plane, waiting for the fog to clear. Eventually, we received the news that we wouldn’t be flying out that day after all.

We disembarked and returned to the shipping container lounge, where we spent the night. This was the first time in history that this had happened for the company. They took excellent care of us, providing new sleeping bags and camping mattresses, as well as food delivered from the ship. But the most appreciated delivery of all? Bottles of wine!

What followed was the most bizarre yet fun night—an impromptu sleepover at Frei Station. It was certainly an unexpected adventure, but we had warmth, food, and a great sense of humor to keep spirits high. In the end, it became one of the most memorable highlights of the trip.

The next morning, we finally caught a break in the fog around mid-morning and were able to safely take off for Punta Arenas. When the plane finally lifted off, the cabin erupted in cheers and applause—it was both hilarious and joyful, as everyone shared in the relief and excitement of finally being on our way!

In the evening, we gathered for dinner at the Explorers House in Punta Arenas, reflecting on the incredible adventure we had exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. We absolutely loved the expedition and are already looking forward to returning to Antarctica in 2026. If you’d like to join us on that journey, you can find all the details for our February 2026 departure in the link below!