Two Hemispheres, One Journey: My Path to the White Continent
There are holidays… and then there are journeys that leave you changed. My expedition to Antarctica was the latter.
But before stepping onto the ice, I was soaking up the heat — jungle trails, tango rhythms, and the smoky goodness of Argentinian BBQ. This trip took me from the tropical spray of Iguazu Falls to the frozen stillness of the Weddell Sea. The contrast was immense — and completely unforgettable.
For me, travel isn’t just about ticking off places. It’s about how it makes you feel — the mist of a waterfall on your skin, the crack of glacial ice splitting in the distance, the taste of a dish passed down through generations. These are the moments I carry with me — and I’d love to share them with you.
Journey Highlights
I started in Brazil and Argentina, chasing waterfalls and dancing through cobbled streets. Then I flew south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and boarded the Sylvia Earle, an expedition ship by Aurora Expeditions, for a 12-day journey to the White Continent.
What We Discovered
Hotels with Personality
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Melia Iguazu: Waking up to the thunder of Iguazu Falls was surreal. From our balcony, we had front-row seats to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls.
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CasaSur Palermo (Buenos Aires): A stylish and central spot, perfect for wandering into local cafés or catching a last-minute tango show.
- Be Jardín Escondido by Coppola: A tucked-away little gem in Palermo Soho, once home to Francis Ford Coppola. Quiet, leafy, full of character — a beautiful contrast to the city buzz.
Tip: Iguazu’s two sides are very different. Visit both if you can — Argentina offers immersive trails and Brazil gives you that sweeping panorama.
Culinary Adventures
One of the highlights of Buenos Aires was Fogón Asado — a multi-course BBQ experience that completely redefined steak for me. Smoky, tender, and paired with bold reds — every bite was a celebration.
In La Boca, I found myself swept up in the street tango. I wasn’t exactly graceful, but I danced anyway — because how could you not?
Aboard the Sylvia Earle, dinners were cosy, generous, and always accompanied by good stories — whether from expedition staff or fellow travellers from around the world.
The Expedition Experience
Antarctica is not a holiday — it’s a full-body, soul-shifting experience.
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Zodiac Excursions: Each day brought a new landing — from Deception Island’s volcanic beaches to a surreal ice floe stop in the Weddell Sea, where curious Adélie penguins waddled right up to us.
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Wildlife: Humpbacks bubble-feeding near our boat. Orcas slicing through the still water. Fur seals lounging like they owned the place.
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The Landscape: Icebergs like sculptures. Mountains rising from mist. The silence… it’s like nothing else on Earth.
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The Moment: Setting foot on the Antarctic Peninsula. Not every expedition gets a continental landing, but we did — and it was magic.
Surprise Insight: Not all icebergs are equal — some are tabular, others are jagged and wild. I loved learning to identify their types and watching the colours shift with the light.
Our Trusted Partners
Aurora Expeditions – Sylvia Earle
A purpose-built expedition ship designed for exploring the polar regions — and it shows. The crew, from marine biologists to naturalists and expedition leaders, were passionate and deeply knowledgeable. Every day felt like a masterclass in the wild.
Behind the Scenes
This journey didn’t come together by accident. I had the support of a brilliant behind-the-scenes team who stitched the whole thing together — from the jungles of Iguazu to the glaciers of Antarctica. The routing was seamless, the guides exceptional, and the planning so thoughtful it let me stay completely in the moment.
Local Insights
Argentina and Antarctica couldn’t be more different — yet they were both full of passion.
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In La Boca, history lives in murals, music, and street dances.
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At Deception Island, history is darker — whaling relics rusting quietly, slowly reclaimed by nature.
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And in the Weddell Sea, you float over the final resting place of Shackleton’s Endurance, crushed by ice in 1915. It gives you goosebumps.
Reflections
Antarctica doesn’t fight for your attention — it simply holds it. The vastness, the quiet, the way the wildlife just is — indifferent to you but somehow connected. This place reminded me why I travel. To feel small and amazed. To reconnect with nature. To see something I’ve never seen before.
Inspired to Take the Leap?
If you’ve been dreaming about Antarctica — or wondering whether it’s really for you — I’m here to tell you: it’s worth it. I’ve done the research, lived the moments, and I know what makes a trip like this yours.
Let’s plan your own polar adventure — one that starts with wonder and ends with stories you’ll be telling for years.