Antarctica – Page 3 – Don't Stop Living

How To Backpack🎒Your Way To Antarctica🇦🇶!

Posted on January 10, 2013September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Backpacking your way to Antarctica?? Are you serious? Yes! Antarctica is without doubt the most amazing place I have travelled to, to date. It really is like another world and anyone who has been there will agree with me. It’s a white continent of superlatives, it’s magical! But can you do it on a backpacker budget? Yes, of course! I did 😉 How to backpack your way to Antarctica!

Jonny Blair in Antarctica — I backpacked and hiked my way to the top of Cuverville Island in Antarctica. What a life…

I visited Antarctica in November 2010 after years of planning, researching and dreaming. I often spent days gazing at photos of Antarctica and which Antarctica trip would suit me best. I’m a budget traveller. I’m a ‘backpacker’. I change jobs constantly. I move around a lot. I’m a nomad. I live a lifestyle of travel. I’ve never owned a bed, or a wardrobe. But you’ve heard Antarctica is expensive to visit, right? So how on earth did a globetrotting backpacker like myself afford to go to Antarctica for a two week trip. I’ll tell you how I afforded Antarctica in just one word: Broccoli.

Jonny Blair worked endlessly on a broccoli farm to afford an Antarctica trip! — A beer with my boss Rebecca Gaby after my last shift on broccoli harvesting. During these few months, I saved like hell and concocted an idea that I was going to ANTARCTICA. I did it 😉

Yes, I worked as a broccoli farmer for 4 months in Tasmania in the Spring of 2010. Nice story, but that doesn’t explain how you ended up in Antarctica!!

Jonny Blair working on a broccoli farm near Poatina in Tasmania before booking his Antarctica trip — Cutting broccoli 12 hours a day, 7 days a week in Tasmania – but my mind was on other things, such as heading to ANTARCTICA 😉

OK so when I arrived in Tasmania I had already saved up a bit of money from my previous job in the pub in Parramatta, then after a few weeks of broccoli harvesting, I was offered an upgraded job on broccoli. It was guaranteed money, guaranteed 7 days a week of working, guaranteed pay rise (I went from $18 AU per hour to $19 AU per hour – that would be an EXTRA $70 a week) and I would be living cheaply out in the complete wilderness. Well that, it was. I bought a car for $1,500 AU dollars, I bought a tent for $15 AU dollars and I headed for the mountain village of Poatina. That was March 2010.

From a broccoli field to Antarctica - Jonny Blair's story — One of my pay slips from my time on the broccoli farms! As you can see I was earning well over $1,200 AU Dollars a week and working 7 day weeks while living in the wilderness. BUT hey I went to Antarctica!

From the day I arrived in Poatina, I hardly spent a penny or a cent. There was no shop in the village open when we got home – you could buy some food from the restaurant at the campsite and I was miles from civilisation. After 4 weeks of harvest I had a day off so I drove to the nearest large town, Longford (we lived in the wilderness) and casually checked my bank account.I had never had so much money before. So that was it – I shopped around on my only internet session in 2 months and I got the best deal I could find at the time and I booked a 2 week trip to Antarctica! I booked it all at once such was the excitement – flights to Buenos Aires and Ushuaia and the cruise and the total cost was around $6,100 AU Dollars (if you see my above pay cheque you’ll see how much I was earning each WEEK so this was easily affordable for me at the time 😉 )

Jonny Blair - Don't Stop Living - flying the Northern Ireland flag in Antarctica in 2010! — Living my travel dreams and flying my Northern Ireland flag in Antarctica in 2010!

When broccoli season finished it was a bit of a release as I cut my last piece of broccoli at Walabadah farm near Cressy in central Tasmania, we had a party in the darkness on the farm. The farmer brought in pizzas and beer and as I sipped a cold one in the wilderness I smirked to myself as a few months later I would step on the Antarctic continent. This was no travel dream of mine – this was a mere reality.

Jonny Blair - a lifestyle of travel heads to Antarctica — Me and some of my Antarctica travel buddies on Half Moon Island!

So I did a couple more months working on cauliflower harvesting, weeding, pyrethrum planting and echinacea harvesting before a road trip back to Parramatta where I worked in the local Irish pub up until my flight out of Sydney, Australia. I’ve cut this story short of course, but in a nutshell, it just proves how EASY it is to travel on a low budget. Work hard, save hard and make your dreams a reality. Of course in hindsight I found an even better and cheaper way to do Antarctica, but alas, that’s a story for another time. For the meantime I just wanted to share this one with you!

Jonny Blair at Port Lockroy in Antarctica — I visited the British Base of Port Lockroy in Antarctica – something the Queen hasn’t done! I posted postcards from the world’s southernmost post box!

The nomadic Northern Irishman. The normal guy living a normal life, who backpacked his way to Antarctica, via a broccoli field, well sort of. Thanks eternally to Rebecca Gaby and Hayley Becker for the constant workload in the magic of Tasmania. Without the pair of you I probably wouldn’t have this story to tell. And my fellow staff in Tasmania for keeping us all entertained in what was probably the most mundane 4-5 months of my life so far. It was worth it and I did Antarctica!

Two videos to show you – short and sweet:

How to cut broccoli by Jonny Blair:

How to walk on a beach in Antarctica by Jonny Blair:

Jonny Blair – the travelling Northern Irishman. Don’t Stop Living – a lifestyle of travel! How to backpack your way to Antarctica is just another story in Jonny’s endless travel journey! Read about Neko Harbour, Cuverville and Elephant Island.

5 Amazing Tranquil Islands!

Posted on November 20, 2012November 6, 2015 by Jonny Blair

I was thinking about all the islands I’ve visited and trying to narrow it down to the best ones, but I just couldn’t so I’ll compile a few different lists to sum them up in categories. First of all these are my 5 top tranquil islands. Places you can get away to for relaxing, with very few other people about. These lists are only compiled from places I’ve actually been to by the way, hence the peculiarity of it (I would love to include Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland on this list, but I haven’t been there yet!). They are in no particular order…

1. Cuverville Island, ANTARCTICA:

Well I had to include at least one island from the white continent, given that it’s the most peaceful continent on the planet. I’ve gone for Cuverville Island, as it was a hike to the top through gorgeous snow and was just an amazing adventure. When we reached the top of Cuverville we feasted our eager eyes on the totally magical wonderland of Antarctica. One of life’s better days. One of the best islands you could land on. My full report on Cuverville is here: The Hound of the Cuverville.

How to get there – If you are booked on a boat trip to Antarctica, there is a chance you will visit Cuverville. It will really depend on the weather conditions, and whether the captain and crew decide to land there. If not, your Antarctica trip may include other islands that I didn’t visit. No doubt, they will be just as magical!

2. Bruny Island, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA:

This was a gem of a place to relax away from the world. If you think Tasmania itself is tranquil, try driving to the south east corner of it and head across to the remote Bruny Island. This has Australia’s southernmost pub on it as well as some cracking sunrise and sunset viewing points. Plus the added bonus of being able to see some rare WHITE wallabies. Bruny Island, in its disconnected splendour is as quiet and remote as they come. A full report on my trip to Bruny Island is here: Bruny Island.

Lonely backpacking days on the Kettering to Bruny Island ferry in 2010

How to get there – Get the ferry across from Kettering in South East Tasmania. Ferries are daily, but if you miss the last one, you’ll have to stay overnight (there are hotels and campsites on Bruny!). Ferry timetable here.

3. Sark, CHANNEL ISLANDS:

Sark is inspiring. It is one of the Channel Islands, and was Europe’s last feudal state, it actually has its own parliament, and a population of around 600. While working on the cross channel ferries, I was able to see all these remote Channel Islands and i love them. A great place to relax and get away. It will feel like you’ve been timewarped.

guinness sark — A Guinness in the Bel Air Inn on Sark.

Sark is just north of the French coast, and I don’t class it as part of the UK, though it’s position is often debated. They have their own stamps and even once fielded an international football team (scoring 0 goals and conceding 70 in their only 4 matches: Sark International Football Team). Arrival is by boat and then a tractor takes you up the steep hill to the main village centre. There are some outstanding views, vintage buildings and pretty gardens. The capital is La Seigneurie. On my visit, I hired a bike and cycled all over the island, including crossing a bridge to an adjoining island, known as Little Sark. I recommend heading to Sark!

How to get there – I went by boat on the Bon Marin de Serk, which leaves from St. Peter Port in Guernsey. This is by far and away the best, cheapest and most obvious route to Sark. There is no airport in Sark, although a landing strip and helipad have been used before. Private boat is also an option.

4. Tai O, Lantau Island, HONG KONG:

I kind of wanted an Asian representative in this short list, and living in Hong Kong made me favour the wonderful Lantau Island in the west part of Hong Kong. If you can forget the fact that part of the island has a busy international airport on it, then get away to the very west corner at Tai O, where you can really relax. So much so that you will lose track of time, and even forget you’re in Hong Kong. There is no commercial element here. Plenty of hikes, even waterfalls, boat cruises and the highlight is the seafood and walking around the traditional fishing village on stilts. An amazing place!

How to get there – Tai O can be reached by bus from near the Tung Chung MTR station. Or you can get a bus from Mui Wo (which has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Central).

5. Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos, CHILE:

It would just feel crazy to leave the marvellous Cape Horn off this list! Cape Horn quite simply is the southernmost point of the civilised world and the marker for the dreaded Drake Passage. All that lies south is Antarctica, making Cape Horn feel like the end of the world. Though I didn’t actually set foot on Cape Horn (that would come at a high cost believe me!), we sailed eloquently passed it, stopping by to glimpse at this famous spot. Just breathtaking.For the record there are actually islands further south called Diego Ramirez Islands, which we also passed, but the famous one is Cape Horn.

The amazing Cape Horn in behind me on my trip from Antarctica back to Chile and Argentina.

How to get there – If you want to actually step on Cape Horn then you’ll have to contact the Chilean naval authorities, as there is a 13 kilometre rule for boats approaching it (our boat managed to get within a few kilometres of Cape Horn luckily as the sea was calmer than normal). If not you can book boat tours from southern Chile and Argentina which will take you round the Horn. Or do what I did and pop over to view it, on the way home from Antarctica!

Happy travelling, don’t stop living!

My Videos:

1. Cuverville Island, ANTARCTICA:

2. Bruny Island, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA:

3. Sark, CHANNEL ISLANDS:

4. Tai O, Lantau Island, HONG KONG:

5. Cape Horn, CHILE:

Antarctica🇦🇶Checklist: What To Take Part 3 – Food and Drink

Posted on November 13, 2012September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

So you’re heading to Antarctica and you want to know what food and drink to take to survive in the world’s coldest continent? Well for a start, trips to Antarctica don’t come cheap so you’re likely to get all meals included on board the boat. Literally all you can eat breakfast, dinner and lunch!! So take advantage of it and eat all you can!

Does this mean you don’t need to bring any food or drink on board? In theory yes. Even tea and coffee is FREE (I should say included) 24 hours a day on board the boat, BUT alcohol is not, and bar prices on board for beer and wine are not cheap.

So I’d strongly recommend taking:

1. ALCOHOL!

I took 3 beers and 2 boxes of wine onboard. I bought them all in Ushuaia the night before boarding. There is no restriction on what you can take onboard, though they do say you shouldn’t drink your own drinks in the bar on board the boat. I did however, and while you’re stranded in Antarctica they are hardly going to kick you off a boat you have paid thousands of dollars to be on!

There is however a Happy Hour on board the boat every day so make sure you use and abuse that and try the random Antarctica Cocktails they mix up! I’ve a degree in Public Relations so I know all about marketing and how this shit works, but when you’re on a boat in Antarctica and they offer a special one off drink for $4 US Dollars, I’m in everytime!!! I’m a sucker for them. And the cocktails on board were great as were the staff.

And if you want to have a beer on Antarctica itself, sneak one on and drink it with your friends behind some rocks – as we did to toast to our amazing trip!

Yes there were five of us enjoying life and having a REALLY ICE COLD beer near the Polish Arctowski at Admiralty Bay in Antarctica!

The only food or drink product you are supposed to take onto Antarctic land is water. It is a protected continent – no litter, no rubbish, no urinating and no consumption of food unless inside a base (we did visit 2 bases on my trip). That said, a sneaky beer to toast to this amazing land was a great moment for us and you’ll be fine to do that!

2. PRESCRIBED/DIETARY REQUIRED FOOD:

I personally didn’t take ANY food at all on board (not even crisps, chocolate bars or biscuits – my usual travel food types), there is plenty of food choice for almost everyone on board. However if you have some kind of dietary requirement, then make sure you bring what you need on board, or ask the tour organisers beforehand what food they provide. You may even get a cheaper price if you tell them you don’t eat some of the food available on board.

So this isn’t a long post, sorry as I’ve basically summed it all up already – ONLY take alcohol on, and only to save money. If saving money is no object to you, there is a good range of alcohol on board and they even have special Antarctic Cocktail of the Day! To be honest when you go to somewhere as special as Antarctica, food and drink become less important as you are simply in awe of nature!!

Here’s a video of me having a beer in Antarctica:

Antarctica🇦🇶Checklist – What To Take – Part 2 – Literature

Posted on October 14, 2012September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Part 2 – What Books Should I Bring?

Right so you’re heading to the world’s coldest continent and you don’t have a clue what really happens there, then you turn to your good old friend Lonely Planet and buy the Antarctica Edition! Complete with a penguin on the front just to get you in the mood.

Antarctica🇦🇶Checklist – What To Take – Part 2 – Literature

I actually bought 2 Antarctica Lonely Planets in the end. The first one was from the 1990s and I found it in a second hand bookshop in Hobart, Tasmania (pictured above). At the time I scoured EVERY bookshop in the whole of Tasmania, even the big ones like Dymocks and they didn’t have the latest one, this one I was able to pick up for about $5 AU Dollars (ignore the price on my photo!) in the Tasmanian Book Centre in Hobart.

Then as the trip was nearing I was so enthusiastic I had to buy the latest one as well! So I did. It can be bought in quite a few bookshops, or if you want a surprise in the post some morning, buy it here: Antarctica Lonely Planet

In fact Lonely Planet have just released a brand new one!: 5th Edition – NEW for 2012!! Wow!! Antarctica is becoming popular.

Now, I also have to recommend the Antarctica Log Book!!! You have some free time onboard the boat and this log book allows you to track what you do each day, where you go etc.! These books can be bought in Ushuaia itself – I bought mine in a shop that sells chocolates!! If you want to pre buy, then Amazon is your best bet: Antarctica Books and once you buy it be sure to keep it up to date! This will be your physical travel log of an amazing adventure!!

These books contain a few bits on the explorers, but you should read up on the likes of Shackleton, Scott and Crean long before your trip – as I already had 3 bulky books on this trip, I chose to read up on the internet on the historians and explorers rather than buy and take yet another book with me.

Tom Crean’s Book is currently very cheap as it happens: Tom Crean’s Story

If you book your trip with GAP, you’ll be pleased to learn that they have an onboard LIBRARY, dedicated to only travel books, the majority of which are Lonely Planet!!

Now onto maps – I love maps and so I bought two Antarctica maps prior to my trip. One of the entire continent, another of just the Antarctic Peninsula (the part I was going to). Of course there are plenty of maps on board and even a route planner, but I took great pleasure each night updating my log book and mapping my journey in pen on my own personal map. You can buy maps in Ushuaia, but I bought this one in Australia before my trip. If English is your main language, I’d recommend buying one in advance just in case you can’t find one in Ushuaia. Souvenirs are available on board the boat, but no maps for some reason (though that may differ with each company/trip). A decent online map is here: Antarctica Posters and there’s a few more on that link (UK based by the way – for the US and Canada, possibly try this site?: Antarctica Maps

An extra notebook also comes in handy as you are invited to attend many lectures on board the boat. The staff at GAP provided a host of excellent lectures on board in the Forward Lounge of the MS Expedition. I only missed one of the lectures, another (by Frank S. Todd) I fell asleep in! However these are fascinating stories of explorers, history and wildlife from the magic of Antarctica.

And yes you can never do enough reading on Antarctica, but as a keen traveller I always like to have some idea in advance of what to expect from the place I’m heading, especially on a trip like Antarctica!! (Although I must also say I am also a very spontaneous traveller at times!).

Enjoy your trip to the world’s coldest continent and let me know if you need any tips!!

Antarctica🇦🇶Checklist Part 1: What Clothes to Pack for Antarctica🇦🇶

Posted on October 14, 2012September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Antarctica is a land of superlatives and is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an amazing place, so you need to be well prepared. What clothes should you take? In this new series, I’ll be outlining the main types of things you need to ensure your trip runs smoothly. It’s been almost 2 years since I visited Antarctica so I’m feeling like writing about it again!

OK so you will need clothes to keep you warm on the world’s coldest continent. No shit, Sherlock! But I travel light – I’m a backpacker so the option of hiring your clothes is an excellent one. The city of Ushuaia (the main port from which Antarctica cruises leave) has a host of places to hire clothes from. I hired a coat and trousers from here: Hiring Antarctica Clothes .

You can actually book them in advance of your trip and collect them when you arrive in Ushuaia, this would be handy for those not bothered too much about budget,yet pushed for time, try this place: Cool Antarctica .

I’d actually recommend staying in Ushuaia a couple of nights before your trip just to make sure you have everything sorted! I stayed in 2 hostels in Ushuaia (had to move as it was full the second night) and both are well recommended: 1. Patagonia Pais: Patagonia Pais and 2. Cruz del Sur Hostel: Cruz del Sur Hostel . I’ve actually done reviews of these hostels before on here. As you might have heard I also stayed in the horrendous Hotel Ushuaia (I’ll NOT be putting a link for it up as the place was terrible!!).

These gloves were the ones I took – they were excellent – still in great condition – you can find them here though the models may have been updated and changed slightly since my trip in 2010: Outdoor Designs

And Rohan for thermal socks and underwear is also a good bet. Rohan

So buy some of the stuff you need (as you will be able to use them again, and hiring socks for example would be ridiculous – might as well buy them!). BUT the advantages of hiring clothes are:

1. It’s cheaper

2. After and before your trip you don’t have to carry these bulky clothes around in your backpack/suitcase!

3. You don’t have to wash them!

What clothes I brought with me specifically for Antarctica:

– 2 thermal hats (one would have been suffice)

– 3 pair of thermal socks (wore these underneath my normal socks on 3 of the landings – but in some cases didn’t need them – got them from Rohan as pictured above)

– A pair of thermal leggings

– A windproof and waterproof jacket (I actually took a very tight fitting small jacket that didn’t use up much space in my backpack – I often wore this under the coat I hired)

– 2 pairs of gloves (one is enough, I just took an extra pair in case they got wet/lost in the snow! get the decent ones above from Outdoor Designs )

– A scarf (didn’t always use it, but worth taking)

– Sunglasses (the sun shines bright in parts of Antarctica, they will also protect you from the hail and blizzards – believe me!)

– Swimming shorts (yes, you have the opportunity to go for a dip in the ice cold waters – well worth it for the experience! Plus there’s a sauna and swimming pool on most of the boats)

– A neck warmer (again not essential but I did use it)

– A Northern Ireland football shirt (OK, well that’s just me!), buy them here, lol! – IFA

For reference a lot of those on my boat were wearing Canada Goose stuff, they have their own special Antarctica range!! Canada Goose

What clothes I hired:

– waterproof windproof thick black trousers

– waterproof windproof thick black coat

(in the photo above I originally went to a shop to hire boots but found out later that night that they were being provided by GAP so I didn’t need them)

What clothes were provided on the Boat (I went with GAP Expeditions, well recommended by the way, some great personalities amongst their knowledgeable staff: GAP ):

– Boots (these boots are Gum Boots/Wellington Boots – perfect for Antarctica)

– Compulsory lifejackets for all Zodiac cruises

Please also bear in mind that I am from Northern Ireland and therefore cold weather is not a big worry for me – you may want to take more than I did. I didn’t get cold once in Antarctica – not even when I went skinny dipping on the “polar plunge” at Whaler’s Bay!! I’ve tried to keep this article concise by the way.

Any advice let me know – you will have a wonderful time in Antarctica!!

Might as well stick one video on here just to show how amazing Antarctica actually was (you can view the rest on the previous posts):

The Antarctica🇦🇶”Carryout”: Having A Beer On King George Island

Posted on October 1, 2011September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Position – 62o 10’S/ 58o 30′ W
Location – Near Henry Arctowski Polish Station, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, ANTARCTICA
Weather – Windy and cold
Date – 13th November 2010
Time – 8.45 pm
Wind Speed – 35 knots
Temperature – 0 degrees the water, 10 degrees outside

Admiralty Bay and the little island of King George Island (one of the South Shetland Islands) became my final landing on the dream like continent of Antarctica. I believe there are a few bars in Antarctica – probably at the Ukraine Vernadsky Base and at one of the US Research Stations (neither place where we would visit), but I was keen to have a beer while standing on the continent of Antarctica on our final night there as a salute to the wonder of nature and to drink with a few fellow ship mates to celebrate an amazing trip.

In Northern Ireland we use the word “carryout” to refer to alcohol that is purchased in one place and consumed at another. This word in my opinion is perfect English for the description, but hasn’t travelled well. Indeed when I mentioned “carryout” while living in Australia, they thought I was referring to a cash and carry, and in England, they thought I was hungry and off for takeaway food. No – a carryout is and always will be alcohol.

The best thing about having a beer in Antarctica is that you don’t need a fridge to keep it cold. In fact my beer, a Quilmes from Argentina (bought in the port of Ushuaia) was warm on board the ship, yet just 30 minutes exposure in Antarctica at King George Island and it was chilled and ready to be drunk.

I got together a wee group for the drink. It consisted of Brazilian Rodrigo, Australians Mark, Russell and Ilise and Austrian Monika. That’s myself Russell and Rodrigo toasting to an excellent time in Antarctica with my Northern Ireland flag.

From left to right – Ilise, Monika, Russell, Rodrigo, Mark. Near the Polish base – the Arctowski Station at Admiralty Bay on King George Island, where we had our beer as a final toast to Antarctica.

Cheers!!! A wee carryout. Having an ice cold beer at Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, ANTARCTICA. A special moment.

The view from our custom made bar (sitting on a few rocks which were sheltered from the wind). Once I had finished my beer, we waited in line as the southern sun faded and some stormy winds caused our Zodiacs to bob up and down as we left behind the wonderland of Antarctica and headed back to the boat, where “The Polar Bear Bar” awaited for more celebratory drinks with the crew.

Bar of Choice – a few rocks by a large sheltered area at Admiralty Bay on King George Island, close to Arctowski Polish Station

Beer of Choice – OK I wouldn’t have chosen it but it was all I had on board – a Quilmes from Argentina (incidentally one of my most hated beers, though one which i drank in the most special of places…)

My Drinking Buddies – Russell, Rodrigo, Monika, Ilise, Mark

KEY SONG:

CAST – LIVE THE DREAM:

LIVING THE DREAM – HAVING A BEER IN ANTARCTICA:

Travelling in Antarctica🇦🇶: Neptune’s Bellows, Deception Island

Posted on September 30, 2011September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Location – Neptune’s Bellows, Deception Island, ANTARCTICA
Position – 62o 59′ S/ 60o 34′ W
Date – Friday 12th November 2010
Time – 6.30 am
Weather – Windy and Cold

The entrance into Deception Island was full of marvel and wonder. It really was like a James Bond film scene. Even standing on deck waiting to pass through a narrow passage known as “Neptune’s Bellows” you could sense the mist of intrigue in the air.

It was cold and chilly on deck and a wee bit windy. A brave crowd had gathered on deck to view our narrow entrance through the slim channel into Deception Island.

To the right of our ship as the captain sailed her gallantly through the tight gap. Why a tight gap? you may ask and why make a big deal of it? The reason is…Deception Island, by its very shape is like a small “c” letter from a bird’s eye view.

And the entrance is like going into the letter “c” so this was a special slow motion part of the Antarctica adventure, another exciting time to be up on deck as the captain, Bulgarian Asparuh Chorbadzhiev sailed us into the narrow entrance at Neptune’s Bellows.

It was one of a few times I visited the Bridge during the sailing and it was quite busy – everyone wanted to hear and watch the captain at work in what is a tricky job.

There is a photo I took of the captain just as we were entering Neptune’s Bellows to head into Deception Island.

Wikipedia says this about “Neptune’s Bellows”: Neptune’s Bellows (63°0′S 60°34′W) is a channel on the southeast side of Deception Island forming the entrance to Port Foster, in the South Shetland Islands. The name, after the Roman sea god Neptune, was appended by American sealers prior to 1822 because of the strong gusts experienced in this narrow channel.

Despite strong winds, the captain steered the boat calmly through Neptune’s Bellows and into Deception Island where a magical experience lay ahead.

KEY SONG:

SOUNDGARDEN – ENTERING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9GEJ20Nu4Q

THE VIDEO I TOOK OF US ENTERING NEPTUNE’S BELLOWS:

Backpacking In Antarctica🇦🇶:Point Wild, Elephant Island

Posted on February 9, 2011September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Named due to its shape, the eloquent Elephant Island leant its tusks to us just before we packed our Antarctic trunks and headed north again. This, then was the final part of my amazing Antarctic journey. A sadness and happiness filled the freshest air I’d ever breathed as we pulled into the windy Point Wild.

It was a zodiac cruise round the harbour at this spot, known as Point Wild. It may even have been called Cape Wild as names, places and other topics all blurred into the same kind of wilderness that Noel Gallagher once spoke of in the 2005 Oasis song Part of The Queue. You’re so in awe of what’s going on to even remember the names. Some people on that boat may not even know the name of the first island (Barrientos) that we docked at on our first footsteps on Antarctic “soil.”

After docking on the edge of Elephant Island, I rocked down to the ships’ mud room to get changed into my Antarctic attire for the final time. It’s now safe to say that Antarctica officially changed my life. A cold calm crisp sea air hit my face on entering the Zodiac that day. I savoured that cold natural feeling as I knew it wouldn’t last. We saw a lot on the brisk morning cruise which followed.

Glaciers fell nonchalantly into the water. Ice floated and melted alongside us. Birds went flying at the speed of sound.

Turning my “I’m off to Antarctica” tag for the last time. These were tags in the mud room that alerted the crew that everyone was either (a) on the boat or (b) in Antarctica. When leaving the boat or coming back from the land, you had to turn your tag round.

Point Wild was so named because of Frank Wild, the leader from the party of Ernest Shackleton’s (an Irishman no less) ship which crashed meaning they had to survive on their rations at this point until they were finally rescued 4 months later. Amazing story really, and it happened in 1916, almost 100 years ago.

On the final Zodiac experience in Antarctica – Point Wild, Elephant Island.

Relaxing with George, Emily and Clare on our zodiac.

With Katharina, the pretty Italian on board the ship.

Some awesome landscape shots – just an example of how immense Antarctica really is.

The head bust of Luis Pardo – the captain of said Shackleton vessel. A nice location for a memorial. Funny how the penguins flocked there and form a wee base around the head statue. We circled this area and headed to the other side from where I took this photo. All from Point Wild Elephant Island in Antarctica.

No signs of elephants, but sheer immense scenery.

Ice cool waters and Katharina captures her last Antarctic moments too.

Our ship from the distance.

The above photo is perhaps one of my favourites from the entire Antactica trip. I somehow captured a bird in flight (a petrel I believe) and the bust of Pardo as well as the penguins and the dreamy background at Elephant Island.

Trying to look cool in a climate that certainly was. Savouring the last moments in the continent and land mass that is Antarctica!

A few final shots at Point Wild, before we boarded the ship for the last time. The Antarctica dream had been incredible. Just the scenery, the people I met, the cruising, everything. It was the best adventure of my life. I cherished and will remember every moment with fondness.

Position – 61°6′S 54°52′W / 61.1°S 54.867°W

Location – Point Wild, Elephant Island

Weather – Cold, crisp, clear and windy

Wind – Fairly strong

Temperature – 8 degrees

KEY SONG – WILD THING (by The Troggs):

Wikipedia Information on Point Wild:
Point Wild (61°6′S 54°52′W / 61.1°S 54.867°W) is a point 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Cape Valentine on the north coast of Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands. Named Cape Wild by the Shackleton Endurance expedition 1914-16, but Point Wild is recommended for this feature because of its small size and to avoid confusion with Cape Wild on George V Coast. Named for Frank Wild, leader of the party from Shackleton’s shipwrecked expedition which camped on the point for four months until rescued in August 1916.

ANCHORED AT POINT WILD:

POINT WILD BY ZODIAC:

SCOTT’S SPEECH AT POINT WILD:

I live a lifestyle of travel and I backpacked my way to Antarctica! Don’t Stop Living!