What a way to wrap up the trip of a lifetime! Just when we thought we’d seen it all — penguins, icebergs, the whole frozen wonderland — Mother Nature decided to throw in a bonus magical snowfall as our parting gift.
The Drake crossing? Surprisingly civilized. More wobbly cocktail party than shake-your-teeth-out rollercoaster. We’ll take it!
And the best news? No more slogging through mud in full muck-boots-and-waterproof-pants armor for a sketchy charter flight! Yes, that was the original plan. We were officially spared the indignity of boarding a plane looking like we were auditioning for a low-budget apocalypse movie.
Then came the airport plot twist: handwritten boarding passes. In 2025 (almost 2026!). Like we time-traveled back to 1972. The staff were basically channeling their inner 1950s travel agents with pen and paper. Vintage chic or total chaos?
The 3-hour flight was smooth, lunch was tasty, Pisco Sours were offered (politely declined — water for the win), and then… the Punta Arenas bonus episode.
During a quick layover before heading on to Santiago, a couple decided “hey, let’s get off here!” (unscheduled, of course). Cue epic luggage hunt. Luggage: 1. Passengers: 0. An extra hour on the tarmac while everyone else not so silently calculated missed connections.
Then Santiago baggage claim delivered the punchline: Our bags took a different vacation. Apparently the tags went rogue, and half the plane’s luggage decided to fly first class on another flight. Two hours later, suitcases finally showed up looking smug. Adventure achieved!
We eventually boarded our homeward flight, arrived the next day, and crashed like true Antarctic warriors. A few days to recover, a lovely Christmas dinner for two, and endless gratitude for the wildlife, beauty, and memories that will last forever.
Thanks for following along on this wild ride! Antarctica will forever be in our hearts!
Now… on to the next adventure! 🚢🐧❄️
May God bless you always!
Chuck & Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 