Our Routes in Antarctica

10 October 2022

Antarctica, Aurora Expeditions, Wildlife

…with Senior Business Development Manager, Gaynor

For the latest installment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over the polar regions, Gaynor Atherton, Senior Business Development Manager UK & Ireland, shared with us her memories from an awesome Antarctic voyage with Aurora Expeditions!

YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS?

The Antarctic Peninsula.

HOW DID YOU GET THERE? 

Flew to Santiago then down to Punta Arenas – from there it was a flight to King George Island to join the Aurora cruise.

FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP?

First time.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

Mentally preparing myself for Polar Plunge that was coming! And packing for a cold climate within my luggage allowance – I did it though!

BEST HOLIDAY EXCURSION/EXPERIENCE?

Doing the Polar Plunge for our chosen charity The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?

Viewing a calm and curious Leopard Seal right next to our Zodiac on our first day!

WHAT DO YOU MOST RECOMMEND PACKING OR PREPPING FOR? 

Don’t overpack – expedition cruising is very relaxed, and you tend to wear the same things a few times. Make sure you layer up with light but warm clothing. Less is more. Don’t pack heels! And make sure you take a good camera, batteries, and an open mind.

FAVOURITE FOOD AND DRINK ON TRIP?

The food was delicious on my cruise I can’t pinpoint one meal as it was all excellent – the daily cocktail of the day was always a hit though!

FAVOURITE PHOTO YOU TOOK? 

 I captured a logging humpback whale, which then woke and gave us a fantastic viewing of it diving down into the deep – the amazing backdrop with a Glacier, a zodiac and the ship just made it the perfect video. My favourite photo was of an iceberg that was used in the book which logged our voyage (every passenger on board our expedition received the book as a souvenir on their return home).