Y’all, we finally made it! After days of rolling around like marbles in a tin can (and one very fancy lobster brunch), we’ve reached the Antarctic Peninsula—the long, skinny finger of Antarctica that points toward South America like it’s begging for a ride home to warmer weather.
I’ve added some slideshows to make it easier since there are so many beautiful photos. Just swipe or scroll with the <> arrows to the left or right of the photo.
Down here they call this the “Banana Belt” because it’s the “warmest” part of the continent. Translation: highs around freezing, so maybe leave the flip-flops at home. Still, it’s got towering mountains, glaciers calving like they’re auditioning for a movie, and more wildlife than you can shake a zodiac paddle at. God pulled out all the stops.
Quick History Hit on the Antarctic Peninsula
First sightings happened in 1820—three different crews (Russian, British, and American) all claimed they saw it first. Talk about showing up to the same “undiscovered” party at the exact same time!
Sealing and whaling brought ships in the 1800s, then real explorers like de Gerlache (who accidentally spent a winter stuck in ice—oops) and Charcot started mapping the place. Bases popped up in the 1940s and 50s, mostly from Britain, Argentina, and Chile, who all politely agreed to disagree on who owned what when the 1959 Antarctic Treaty said, “No fighting over snow, please.”
Today the peninsula has the most research stations because it’s the “easy” part of Antarctica. Argentina runs the most, including Esperanza (where the first person was actually born on the continent in 1978—brrr, talk about a chilly birthday!). There’s Britain’s Rothera, U.S. Palmer, Ukraine’s Vernadsky, and more from Chile, Brazil, Poland, and beyond. They all play nice under the Treaty, sharing science on climate, penguins, and everything else.
Our first real taste of Antarctica was a freezing 90-minute zodiac cruise through a floating wonderland of icebergs, bergy bits, and brash ice that looked like a giant blueberry slushie. We bundled up like human burritos—layers on layers—and it helped so much because I dont even remember the cold now!
Our driver weaved us around these glowing blue giants—all towering over us, carved into arches, caves, and shapes that looked like modern art. Every so often we’d hear a loud crack or rumble when a chunk calved off. Pure magic, even if my fingers were screaming for mercy!
And to make it even more perfect, it snowed gently all afternoon—big, fluffy flakes drifting down like confetti from heaven, dusting the icebergs and turning the whole scene into a living snow globe.
The wildlife stole the show, of course. Chinstrap penguins (the sassy ones with the black “helmet strap” under their chins) were porpoising right beside the boat like little torpedoes and lounging on ice floes like they owned premium real estate.
Adélie penguins, classic tuxedo cuties with white eye-rings, were waddling, tobogganing on their bellies (best commute ever), and acting like the playful kids of the penguin world.
We spotted gentoo penguins—the tall, goofy ones with the bright white bonnet across their heads and orange beaks that look like they’ve been sipping carrot juice. Gentoos are the speed demons of the penguin world (fastest swimmers at up to 22 mph)
Overhead, Antarctic petrels (and a few cape petrels) swooped and glided like feathered acrobats looking for snacks.
It felt like we’d sailed straight into a National Geographic special—only colder, snowier, and with better company!
After thawing out and changing into dry clothes, we headed to the lounge for the daily recap and briefing—just before dinner, because priorities. The team recapped today’s highlights (we all agreed the snow-dusted icebergs and porpoising penguins were the stars) and got us pumped for tomorrow: Mikkelsen Harbour (gentoo penguins, historic hut, and lazy weddell seals) and Cierva Cove (hanging glaciers, turquoise icebergs, and maybe leopard seals or humpbacks if we’re lucky). Conditions look perfect—fingers crossed!
The white continent is even more stunning than I dreamed—and we’re just getting started. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
May God bless you all!
Chuck & Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 