Rachelle Berke had travelled to greater than 60 nations earlier than deciding to go to Antarctica with Intrepid in early 2020. She shares her expertise exploring the seventh continent on the eve of a world pandemic.
Going to Antarctica was an enormous factor for me. I’ve travelled a lot – 62 nations, thus far – however Antarctica was my first large journey alone. After making an attempt unsuccessfully to rally pals to come back with me, ultimately I simply booked it. And I’m so glad I did – not solely is Antarctica certainly one of my favorite locations on the earth, it was the final journey I’d take earlier than the pandemic modified the face of journey. There was discuss of COVID once we set off from Ushuaia in late February, however nobody actually had any concept of the magnitude of what was coming.
We had two sea days on the best way there, which concerned numerous talks and academic classes as we crossed the Drake Passage. The guides and on-board consultants had been all telling us how uncommon it’s to have a lovely day in Antarctica (they name them ‘unicorn days’). Well, once we arrived on the Antarctic Peninsula, I went up on deck and it was so calm, with clear skies and no wind. It was completely stunning. I bear in mind pondering “How are we even here?” It was magical – an actual ‘pinch me’ second.
Our group was lucky sufficient to have eight shore landings. It’s loopy if you’re there; these little penguins simply come proper as much as you. They’re not frightened of you in any respect. They’re like, “This is our territory, get out of my way!” We had some superb experiences on the Zodiacs (inflatable motorised dinghies) too, seeing orcas and humpback whales, in addition to playful seals chasing one another across the boat.
I’d heard about the polar plunge – the place members are tethered to a harness and leap into the icy waters – and I used to be recreation, however I knew I’d most likely hen out if I noticed too many individuals do it earlier than me. I requested if I might go first. I connected the ring and twine round my waist and jumped off the ship into the ocean. And wow, it was chilly! I’m from Canada so I’m used to chilly climate, however this was very totally different. But being within the water, surrounded by icebergs, was simply unbelievable. So was the shot of tequila I had once I hopped out. It’s an expertise I’ll always remember (to not point out, it’s a fantastic get together story).
The complete time we had been on the ship, we didn’t have a lot of an concept of what was taking place in the remainder of the world. There had been whispers a few flu-like sickness going round, however being in a location as remoted as Antarctica meant we had been fairly faraway from all of it. It’s so wild to assume that if my journey had been per week later, I most likely wouldn’t have been in a position to go.
Once our group bought again to Argentina in early March, we grew to become instantly conscious of how shortly COVID was shifting internationally, and the way critical it was. At airports, going via safety, everybody was asking how we had been feeling, and if we had complications or fevers. I bought house to Saskatchewan and wasn’t allowed to return to work till I’d been examined. At that stage, the exams had been new and took a very long time to course of. Then, the entire world shut down.
I felt fairly cautious about travelling after that. Everything’s fairly totally different now. Things can take longer and really feel tougher, particularly for those who’re going abroad. So a lot has modified over the previous few years, however – with every little thing that’s occurred – I really feel extremely fortunate to have visited Antarctica proper earlier than COVID kicked in. Who is aware of once I would have had a possibility like that once more. That stated, over two years into the pandemic, issues are positively calming down now. You’ve simply bought to recollect to consider a bit extra time, and to be affected person and type, particularly when airways and resorts are short-staffed.
The journey and its aftermath actually put issues into perspective – it made me realise change is the one fixed, and that life is unpredictable and quick. There are so many superb issues to see and do on the earth, and we have to benefit from the alternatives that come up, as a result of we are able to’t management what’s across the nook. My plan from right here is to say sure as usually as attainable to any adventures that come my means.