Trip Overview
Antarctica was the final piece. My seventh continent. But this trip wasn’t just about checking a box—it was about seeing a part of the world that might look drastically different in the years to come. I wanted to experience the white continent while it still held its current shape, before climate change continues to redraw its lines.
Sailing aboard the National Geographic Resolution, we crossed the famously wild Drake Passage (which, somehow, was incredibly calm for us on the way there), and entered a world of tabular icebergs, penguin colonies, breaching whales, and surreal silence. Every day brought a new corner of the Antarctic Peninsula to life. And more than once, I looked around and thought, I can’t believe I’m here.
Most Memorable Moments
That “I’m Really Here” Moment – It happened surrounded by tabular icebergs over 100 feet tall, drifting past the ship like frozen skyscrapers. The air was cold and still. That was the moment it hit: I made it. I was actually in Antarctica.
Devil Island Welcome Party – Our first landing brought us face-to-face with hundreds of Adélie penguins. We watched them waddle through the snow, slipping between rocks and nesting with tiny chicks in tow. A proper Antarctic hello.
Walking on Sea Ice in the Weddell Sea – We stepped off the Zodiacs and walked on super thick sea ice, surrounded by orcas and Adélie penguins. Walking on a frozen ocean is an experience I’ll never forget.
Kayaking Along James Ross Island – With glassy water and massive glaciers in every direction, it felt like paddling through a snow globe. Later that afternoon, we hiked over fossil beds with ancient ammonites underfoot.
Spert Island Zodiac Cruise – A maze of icebergs, tunnels, and blue-melt glow. This was one of the most surreal environments I’ve ever been in—like navigating through a sculpture garden made by glaciers.
Penguin Comedy at Cuverville and Neko Harbor – Watching gentoo penguins squabble over pebbles, slide down hills, and awkwardly parent their chicks never got old. The best advice we were given was to just pick a group of penguins and watch. This didn’t disappoint with penguins getting into fights, smacking each other, falling down, and other antics.
Waking up to everything flying off the shelves – the drake lake turned into the drake shake on our journey back to South America. At 2 in the morning, I awoke to everything in my room flying off the shelves. I had to brace myself on while trying to secure items – it was both fun and a bit scary!
Logistics & Practical Information
🚢 Ship & Route
We sailed on the National Geographic Resolution, a purpose-built polar expedition ship equipped with stabilizers, dynamic positioning, and a full fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks. The ship was the perfect mix of rugged and refined.
🌡 Conditions & Gear
- Daytime temps ranged from 20s–30s °F
- Layers were key: base, fleece, windproof outer
- Provided boots and parkas were excellent
- Snow glare is real—sunscreen and sunglasses were non-negotiable
🐧 Wildlife Seen
- Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins
- Orcas and humpback whales
- Leopard, crabeater, and Weddell seals
- Albatrosses, petrels, and skuas
- Fossils of ancient marine life on shore
🔍 Expedition Life
- Daily briefings and spontaneous landings based on weather
- Talks from naturalists, historians, and photographers
- Lots of laughs and bonding with fellow travelers—especially Anne, the Antarctic scuba diver, whose stories and energy made a huge impression
Reflections & Final Thoughts
Antarctica was quieter than I expected. Not just in sound—but in spirit. It invites stillness. Perspective. Reverence. And yet, it was one of the most alive places I’ve ever been.
I felt exceptionally privileged to be there. That awareness never left me. To stand at the bottom of the world, with nothing but sea and ice in every direction, was deeply humbling.
Yes, this was the final continent on my travel list. But checking it off didn’t feel like the end of something—it felt like the beginning of something new. The more of the world I see, the more curious I become about what’s right in front of me. Now, I want to turn my focus inward—to explore the U.S. more deeply and understand the complexity and beauty of the places I call home.
Expedition Hamilton 