My Wildest Travel Dream Comes True – Setting Foot on Antarctica

Posted on February 9, 2015 by lesleycarter

After 5 long days of sailing through the dreaded Drake Passage, one of my wildest travel dreams became a reality – I set foot on Antarctica. We anchored near Barrientos Island, one of the Aitcho Islands. Everywhere around the ship, I saw penguins jumping out of the water. I couldn’t contain my elation. I was like a child brimming with excitement. When the dinghies took us ashore and I came face to face with Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, I took hundreds of photos and videos. I wanted to capture every second of the experience.

The beach was full of penguins and their babies and they were all moving about as if we were part of their environment. Like little robots, they followed paths or roadways and stopped if we were in their way as if to say, “Error. Error. Halt mission. If we stand really still, they can’t see us.” They would wait until their path was clear and continue on about their business of collecting stones or making their way to the ocean.

They were curious too. A small group checked out our bags while we weren’t looking and one little guy walked up behind me and nipped at my backpack when I had my back turned to him. Two younger penguins leaned over the edge of rocks to get a better view down below. Their playful nature was highly enticing.

I’ve taken a lot of selfies during my travels but this was the first with a penguin next to me. It’s a moment that will be ingrained in my memory for life. I wasn’t at a zoo or somewhere where the penguins were out of their natural environment. This was their home and I was a guest. From their reaction, I was a welcomed guest too. I didn’t want to move. I wanted the moment to last. I welled up with tears and smiled for the camera. It was more than I dreamed possible.

The crew on the ship kept telling us that each day gets better than the one before but I found it so difficult to believe. How could it get better than the first penguin landing? What beauty awaited us? We set sail again at 4 am and I quickly learned that there was much more to come.

Without Bark Europa, Whitecaps Marine, and Pilotur, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wouldn’t have been possible.

78 thoughts on “My Wildest Travel Dream Comes True – Setting Foot on Antarctica”

Let's CUT the Crap! on February 9, 2015 at 3:27 pm said:

Penguins! Real. Live. Penguins. That would be an unforgettable treat, 🙂 😀

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  It was so surreal. Have you ever seen a penguin before?
  
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  - Let's CUT the Crap! on February 11, 2015 at 2:07 pm said:
    
    Not a real one. No. Not even in a zoo. I hear they have them in Toronto zoo but I don’t do Toronto. Too big.
    
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jennifer on February 9, 2015 at 3:38 pm said:

This may be my favorite report from all your trips yet. Thanks for sharing the experience!

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thank you! It was my favorite travel experience. Have you been to Antarctica?
  
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  - jennifer on February 11, 2015 at 2:09 pm said:
    
    I have not – not even anywhere on my list until I read about your great experience and saw the pictures!
    
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Michelle Ragusa on February 9, 2015 at 3:54 pm said:

You are living my dream!!!! I and my husband are on a quest to 100 countries and 7 continents. Our last being Antarctica! Also, I adore penguins and always tellmy husband – he’s my penguin, penguins mate for life! :). What travel company/ship did you use? What did you pack? Learn? Did you leave out of Argentina? Thanks for your help and guidance! Your fellow wanderlust, Michelle

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:41 pm said:
  
  I went with Bark Europa. It’s a tall ship and you have the chance to help out during the sail. Here’s their site – https://www.barkeuropa.com/.
  
  There are other ways to go but as the last continent, I felt like it should be a great adventure. Bark Europa made the experience the most memorable travel adventure of my life. 🙂 We did leave from Argentina and we spent 5 days sailing through the Drake Passage. It was unbelievable. Please let me know any questions you have. I could talk about it for hours 😉
  
  How many countries have you visited so far? Which ones were your favorite? Which is the one you look forward to the most?
  
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cherylsmit on February 9, 2015 at 3:56 pm said:

What an incredible experience. Looking forward to reading more!

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mishunderstood on February 9, 2015 at 4:40 pm said:

Just amazing. Posing with penguins…can’t get any better than that…..or maybe it can! 🙂

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:42 pm said:
  
  The penguin selfie was one of the greatest moments of the entire trip but there is lots more to come 😉
  
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Robert Mullett on February 9, 2015 at 4:43 pm said:

Once again..so real for the reader!

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks Robert! I wish I could actually bring you along with me but this will have to do until we meet again 🙂
  
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Cdreamgirl on February 9, 2015 at 4:43 pm said:

Same reaction the first time I got to visit a penguin beach… fun.

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:43 pm said:
  
  Did you visit in Antarctica?
  
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  - Cdreamgirl on February 11, 2015 at 2:10 pm said:
    
    S. Africa
    
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allinthedayofme on February 9, 2015 at 5:13 pm said:

Do you want to go again and take Darren with you? Thanks for sharing these incredible pictures!

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:49 pm said:
  
  I’d like to do it again and bring both Darren and Athena. They should both experience it.
  
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gfchopstix on February 9, 2015 at 5:54 pm said:

Such an amazing experience! Love the photo of the two little ones 😀

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Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on February 9, 2015 at 7:57 pm said:

Nice!

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Bryan Lee on February 9, 2015 at 9:11 pm said:

Reblogged this on bosslee.co.

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ibdesignsusa on February 9, 2015 at 9:13 pm said:

How wonderful and I would be like a kid too with the penguins. What great shots and loved how it looks like they posed for the pictures you took. I am so happy that you got to experience this!!!

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:50 pm said:
  
  It was so cute how curious they were. I was pleasantly surprised. Have you ever seen one before?
  
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  - ibdesignsusa on February 11, 2015 at 10:27 pm said:
    
    No, only pictures of them. To be among them in there natural environment is so great!
    
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where we are on February 9, 2015 at 9:15 pm said:

Thanks for sharing! How amazing!!

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Curt Mekemson on February 9, 2015 at 9:28 pm said:

“I wasn’t at a zoo or somewhere where the penguins were out of their natural environment. This was their home and I was a guest.” Beautifully said, Lesley. It is how I always feel when I am wandering out in the woods. –Curt

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- lesleycarter on February 9, 2015 at 11:23 pm said:
  
  Curt,
  
  You’ve made my night. Thank you, not just for reading but for understanding… for relating. That’s what it’s all about to me.
  
  Have a wonderful day, night, week, month, etc.
  
  May the world be at your doorstep,
  
  🙂
  
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  - Curt Mekemson on February 10, 2015 at 9:31 am said:
    
    🙂
    
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apoorva1992 on February 9, 2015 at 10:20 pm said:

It must be such an incredible experience!! Thank you for sharing it with us!! 🙂

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mybeautfulthings on February 9, 2015 at 11:07 pm said:

What. Wonderful experience. Thank you for this exhilarating and exciting report. Enjoy the next even more exciting days! 🙂

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cityoftheweek on February 9, 2015 at 11:26 pm said:

I am so happy for you Lesley, can’t wait to read the whole story 🙂
Those penguins are out-of-this-world CUTE! 🙂

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David J. Bauman on February 9, 2015 at 11:49 pm said:

So very very cool… no pun intended

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derrickjknight on February 10, 2015 at 12:07 am said:

Just marvellous Lesley

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mistynites on February 10, 2015 at 1:11 am said:

You are living my dream. Would love to visit Antarctica – just a matter of time and money! I love penguins – those photos are fantastic.

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:51 pm said:
  
  Sailing was definitely the most adventurous, rewarding way to go. Have you ever sailed before?
  
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  - mistynites on February 11, 2015 at 5:30 pm said:
    
    I’ve been on sailing boats and tall ships before but only as a passenger, never as crew. I looked into Bark Europa as an option for Antarctic travel, but it seems that however you go, it’s an expensive destination.
    
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janstring on February 10, 2015 at 1:32 am said:

Hi Lesley,
I’m really enjoying looking at your photographs and reading what you are writing about your experiences. You are certainly bringing the experience to life for me which is great. I believe I can ‘hear’ a difference in you.

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cricketmuse on February 10, 2015 at 4:23 am said:

I am not a snow and cold kind of adventurer, but I do like penguins. What fun you will share with your daughter!

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:52 pm said:
  
  I’m usually more of a hotter destination type of traveler too but this was one experience that I couldn’t miss.
  
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  - cricketmuse on February 11, 2015 at 2:50 pm said:
    
    The lure of the penguins…
    
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thewriteedge on February 10, 2015 at 4:57 am said:

Wow. Amazing. My husband’s dream is to go to Antarctica, and I’m starting to see why.
This truly is the experience of a lifetime!

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jimfetig on February 10, 2015 at 5:14 am said:

Impressive!

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Capt Jill on February 10, 2015 at 5:51 am said:

WOW! What incredible photos! It’s so great that you’ve been able to take this trip, and especially on the Barque Europa. I’m still wondering how in the heck it would be possible for someone to do something like that. Once in a lifetime trip? The time, money, involved must be enormous.

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:54 pm said:
  
  Here’s their site – https://www.barkeuropa.com/.
  
  When you consider the time spent on board and that everything (accommodations, food, activities, and transportation) is included for 22 days, it’s really not that expensive of a trip. The total cost is around 6,000 euros.
  
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  - Capt Jill on February 14, 2015 at 4:17 am said:
    
    WOW! I just checked their website. Thanks for the info (and the inspiration). I want to go SO bad! I don’t know when I’ll have the time to take this kind of trip again as long as I have to keep this job. I’ll definitely put it on my list of things to do. 🙂
    
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dfolstad58 on February 10, 2015 at 6:38 am said:

I still crave palm trees but I will admit that your experience was amazing and super cool. Great visuals, and I could sense your excitement in your post. Wonderful.

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dfolstad58 on February 10, 2015 at 6:39 am said:

Reblogged this on Life and Random Thinking and commented:
Want a holiday experience you will never forget, here is an idea.

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Mountainstroh (Tony) on February 10, 2015 at 7:06 am said:

That is an amazing picture!

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Michael Rappa on February 10, 2015 at 7:38 am said:

Great shots. I especially love that first one. I felt the same when I saw the California sea lions, so much more amazing to see animals in the wild than viewing them in a zoo.

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Jessica | Defining Wonderland on February 10, 2015 at 8:46 am said:

That is amazing! I just want to hug them all. 🙂

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1fungrl on February 10, 2015 at 9:52 am said:

I’m so happy for you!! What a cool experience! Penguins are adorable! How was the no internet experience?

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:56 pm said:
  
  No internet was a challenge because I couldn’t Skype with my daughter, Athena, but I really enjoyed the connections made with others because of the intense social interaction without distractions. I’m grateful that internet wasn’t available.
  
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chrisb-jwordsandimages on February 10, 2015 at 10:09 am said:

Adorable penguins, lucky you, and what an experience.

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edithlevyphotography on February 10, 2015 at 11:43 am said:

Wow…what an incredible experience. This is definitely on my bucket list.

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sunbitten on February 10, 2015 at 12:57 pm said:

Amazing! Cannot wait to see more!

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humanfealty/human Faith on February 10, 2015 at 4:55 pm said:

Nice

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Bulldog Travels on February 10, 2015 at 6:50 pm said:

What a dream come true. I feel like I am there with you! I had no idea penguins are so curious. Love the photo of you with the penguin looking at the person taking the photo. Tell me you didnt slip one of those babies in your bag and take it home!

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- lesleycarter on February 11, 2015 at 1:57 pm said:
  
  I certainly considered taking one home, especially the newly hatched chicks. Adorable!
  
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Bulldog Travels on February 10, 2015 at 6:53 pm said:

I just went snorkeling with turtles and sharks and Rays in Belize. It trumps a zoo anyday when you can see these animals happily living in their natural environment. Cheers!

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judsgamereviews on February 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm said:

What an amazing incredible opportunity – I can only imagine how wonderful it all is for you. And I think like most people who see this, so envious. You surely will never forget it. 😀

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thefolia on February 10, 2015 at 8:57 pm said:

The first photo is the cutest picture ever…okay I would put up with the cold just to see those adorable penguins in their habitat instead of their captured existence at the zoo.

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univercityenvironmentalstewards on February 10, 2015 at 10:26 pm said:

lovely photos!

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vanbraman on February 10, 2015 at 11:31 pm said:

I am a bit jealous. I was on a large boat cruise when I visited the peninsula of Antarctica and we didn’t get to go ashore. I got up close to penguins in the Falklands though. They are so cool.

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thejourneyingengineer on February 11, 2015 at 2:38 am said:

Very inspiring!

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shawn on February 11, 2015 at 6:22 am said:

Awesome story and pictures! This is on our list as well. We saw penquins in Argentina 2 years ago. It was warm and sunny and they were nesting in the ground. Even saw some little ones! Keep the reports coming! Thanks!

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Balint Farago on February 11, 2015 at 8:50 am said:

I didn’t know penguins were so friendly in their natural habitat. Can you let us know how did you go there? Which cruise company did you choose and how much did it cost?

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Butterfly Jewel on February 11, 2015 at 10:23 am said:

Awesome! That’s one of my dreams, too- to touch foot on every continent including Antarctica! I don’t like to be cold, though. What kind of gear did you get to keep you warm enough to enjoy being there?

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Ami (Yearful of Sundays) on February 11, 2015 at 10:40 am said:

Whoaaa!! Absolutely amazing!! Congratulations on setting foot on the rarest continent of all, and thank you for taking us through your journey! Amazing pics and a fantastic travelogue. What an experience, whoa!

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donnajeanmcdunn on February 11, 2015 at 11:28 am said:

What a grand experience! I’m so jealous, but then on the other hand, I hate cold and ice and there is no way I’d go to Antarctica. So thank you for doing it for me and taking such wonderful pictures!

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key Image Photographers on February 11, 2015 at 6:12 pm said:

Penguins are awesome!!! 🙂

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simpleandcute on February 12, 2015 at 10:49 am said:

amazing pictures. They look so curious and very interested in the bags 😉

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bloggingfromamy on February 14, 2015 at 7:22 am said:

Stunning! It looks absolutely beautiful!

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