ANTARCTICA – STEPPING FOOT ON THE SEVENTH CONTINENT
W L
ANTARCTICA – STEPPING FOOT ON THE SEVENTH CONTINENT
by Sarah Meadowcroft , Global Travel
As I grow older , things that used to excite and intrigue me in my younger years , just do not hold the same appeal . Back in the 90 ’ s ( now I am definitely showing my age !), it was all about the designer handbag , the expensive watch , seeing and , more importantly , being seen . I would happily mosey along La Croisette in Cannes , shop in Saks Fifth Avenue , or laze on Barbados ’ beautiful whitesand beaches . These days , now that I am in my mid-40s , pomp and splendor just does not cut it .
Whilst I would never refuse a day ’ s invitation to soak up the sunshine beachside in Dubai , the importance of topping up the tan has been superseded by meaningful experiences . These says , we call it “ Adventure Travel ”; and believe it or not , we have entire sectors of our industry ( travel ) dedicated to providing those “ bucket list ” experiences . They used to be called “ once in a lifetime ” experiences . You would book a Caribbean cruise for your 50th wedding anniversary , having saved up for all those years for that golden globe at the end of your term . And then what ...? You put that lovely photograph of you posing with the ship ’ s captain in your beautiful album , having spent all of your savings , never to experience such a wonderful and extravagant holiday ever again . And then the pandemic hit . That period of two years that changed life as we knew it for forever more . We were confined to our homes , we lost our loved ones in never-before-imaginable circumstances , and arrived at the stark realisation that we weren ’ t immortal . In fact , we weren ’ t guaranteed that 50th wedding anniversary , or that gold clock , and something within our ethos shifted .
The impact of Covid on the Travel industry The travel industry was hit very hard by the pandemic . Yes , every industry was hit hard . However , travel was one of the very last industry ' s to return to normality . Whilst national lockdown restrictions were lifted , we had to deal with traffic light systems , other countries refusing to permit us entry , and a constant round of cancellations , refunds , rebooks , and more cancellations . But when travel did eventually bounce back , it bounced back with a glam up . It was the wife who lost weight and highlighted her hair after she found out that her husband was having an affair . Travel was back , and she was letting everybody know about it .
We saw a real switch in the holidays that our clients were seeking . No longer were Mum and Dad taking their teenage daughters on a two week , all-inclusive holiday to Greece . Instead , Mum and Dad , were seeking immersive experiences that they could enjoy with their children . No longer did the teenage kid ’ s club with beach volleyball suffice , now Mum and Dad wanted a tailored tour across the Atlantic to Costa Rica , where they could undertake a jungle safari , zip line in the cloud forest , feed the sloth in the sanctuary , and maybe relax on the beach for four days at the end , to recover from the excitement and exertion . And this is exactly where we , here at Global Travel in West Kirby , shine . Since throwing our doors open in 2002 , we have gladly served our wonderful clients with a myriad of tailor-made and exciting holiday options . From safaris to organising climbs of Kilimanjaro , we have done it all ! Of course , we love to sell beach , ski , cruise and anything in-between , but I speak for all of us when I say that we love getting our teeth into something juicy . So , when I was introduced to polar cruising whilst attending an educational seminar in Lima , Peru , early in 2024 , my initial interest peaked to obsession levels . Polar expedition was never even on my radar , but all of a sudden , the buzz and trend was “ expedition ” cruising , in some of the most remote parts of the planet . I was embraced by the expedition cruising industry , a community which is refreshingly down to earth , and focused more on wildlife , sustainability , and citizen science than what ballgown to pack for the black-tie event . In fact , this industry refuses as a whole dislike the term “ cruising ”; we like terms such as “ expedition ” and “ adventure ”, which give these types of “ holidays ” the credence that they deserve .
Antarctica I became focused on Antarctica ; I joined various trade organisations , revelled in research , championed sustainability and environmentalism , and became the darling of the expedition cruise sector , winning the award for Best Newcomer to Expedition Cruising 2024 at the ECN awards ceremony in September . But my ultimate goal was to get to Antarctica . Not because of any sense of ego , or to tell people that I had set foot on the seventh continent ( which seems to be the buzz at the moment ); I just wanted to experience it for myself . So , when the invitation to join HX Expeditions arrived actually in Antarctica , I did not sleep for a month with excitement ! With the plane tickets booked and the backpack firmly in place , I boarded my flight all the way to Buenos Aires in Argentina . Every time I visit somewhere new , it quickly becomes my new “ favourite ” place ( any of my clients will tell you this ). But South America holds a very special place in my heart . I had a one night stay in Buenos Aires , and in typical Sarah the Explorer fashion , I felt like I conquered this little piece of Argentina in the few hours that I had , despite having travelled for over 36 hours in total . The following morning , we boarded our charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia , which is literally the bottom of the world . As the aircraft comes in to land , you soar over magnificent mountains and through clouds , before eventually touching down . As you exit the small airport , nothing prepares you for the magnitude and magnificence of the mountain ranges that surround you ; it is simply awesome . We then transferred the short distance from the airport to the harbour , where we met our ship , HX Fridtjof Nansen . Due to the reasonable pricing as compared to other Antarctica operators , I will be honest , I did not expect anything too fabulous . How wrong can a girl be ?!!
Named after Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen ; she is a relatively new vessel . She boasts the most up to date technology to navigate the remote areas and conditions in which she sails ( such as the ice breaker ), and is designed to avoid impacting the fragile waters in which she sails . Her style is Scandi-sophistication . Clean , fresh , modern and very comfortable . Despite opting for the lead in cabin grade ; I benefited from an extremely spacious , modern cabin , which was furnished with snug blankets , warm duvets , tea and coffee making facilities , and a large picture window ( although a balcony would have been wonderful , I didn ’ t feel in the slightest disappointed that I didn ’ t have one ). Onboard , you will find Fredheim , a casual diner which serves burgers , steaks and desserts ; Aune , a blend of buffet and a la carte , Lindstrom , which offers a fine dining experience , and a pool bar located , yes- you ' ve guessed it- poolside . The quality and choice of food was exceptional , as was the extensive list of cocktails , liquors and soft drinks available in the restaurants and bars . Deck 10 boasts the Explorer Bar , which spans at least a half -length of the ship ; elegantly furnished with comfy chairs ,
52 wirrallife . com