Explore Antarctica With Yellow Jackets
By: Jennifer Herseim | Categories: Alumni Achievements
This spring, I had the privilege of hosting 17 Yellow Jackets on Expedition to Antarctica, a 14-day trip featuring a 5-star cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula, where we retraced the sea lanes navigated by polar explorers Shackleton, Amundsen, and Scott.
After touring the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, our group launched from Ushuaia (the “end of the world”), on the southern tip of Argentina. From there, we crossed the famous Drake Passage, widely known as the most unpredictable and tumultuous stretch of ocean in the world. Travelers often describe two experiences crossing the Drake Passage—the “Drake shake” or the “Drake lake.” Fortunately, with Captain Mickaël Debien at the helm of Le Boréal, Ponant’s luxury ice-strengthened ship, we experienced “light lashing” during the two-day passage.
The morning that we crossed into the Antarctic Circle gave us our first glimpses of Antarctica’s unparalleled beauty. Icebergs in brilliant shades of azure appeared on the horizon as we sipped our morning coffee. We quickly moved to the observation deck to witness the first gigantic chunks of ice float by like delicate puffs of meringue atop the placid water. Several of us, exhilarated by the sights and crisp air, returned to our hot coffee and ginger tea with flushed cheeks and brightened spirits, ready for our first excursions.
Tour operator Gohagan & Co. prepared a well-crafted itinerary that included Zodiac tours led by experienced naturalists, who specialized in marine biology, ecology, glaciers, whales, birds, and sea kayaking.
Over the course of the cruise, our naturalists deepened our understanding and appreciation for our exquisite surroundings. They answered any question—“What’s that soft popping sound?" Oxygen releasing from the ice as it melts in the water. “What are those humpbacks doing?" Bubble net feeding, where they blow bubbles in a circle to trap krill.
A trip highlight was guest speaker and renowned polar explorer Felicity Aston, the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica. Her stories of adventure and resilience in extreme conditions inspired us to “get out of the tent” and always keep exploring.
Our excursions took us to snow-covered islands with colonies of Adélie and chinstrap penguins, which crisscrossed the white turf, scurrying by too busy to care about the curious humans who smiled and laughed at their antics and occasional slips.
We made two Continental landings. The first was at Orne Harbour, a towering peak that would dwarf Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings. The second landing was at the tamer Portal Point. For many of my well-traveled companions, this trip was also a chance to check off a seventh continent on their travel list.
Before heading north, we were treated to the magnificent Graham Passage, a narrow channel lined with colossal ice-capped peaks. That evening, we returned to the deck to catch views of dozens of humpbacks and orcas that circled the boat and breeched on the horizon in the sunset.
Of all the delights that we experienced on this bucket-list trip, the one that won’t surprise anyone in this community was the company of our fellow travelers. We swapped stories, oohed and ahhed at the sight of whales, seals, and penguins, and made unforgettable memories in a place unlike any other in the world.
Explore the world with Georgia Tech Alumni Travel. For more information, visit gtalumni.org/travel.
