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The Explorers’ Lounge on @vikingcruises Octantis

The Explorers’ Lounge on @vikingcruises Octantis … one of my favourite places to sit and watch the world go by.

In the afternoon, we’ve sat with a cup of tea on the comfy armchairs looking out on the bow.

In the evening, we’ve occasionally gone there for pre-dinner drinks and sometimes even a nightcap.

On two levels with panoramic windows, it’s such a great place for chilling and admiring the stunning views.

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Penguin heaven … I could have watched these litt

Penguin heaven … I could have watched these little fellas all day. They’re adorable, comical and so much fun!

Look out for one of them ‘shaking their tail feathers’.

This was our first landing and it was on Danco Island, where we could venture on to the shore and from a safe distance, marvel at this entertaining guys.

Did you know that the collective noun for penguins on land is a waddle?! It’s so apt when you watch them walking around.

This visit on shore capturing penguins was definitely another of the highlights of this Antarctic Explorer Expedition with @vikingcruises.

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Otherworldly, dream-like and surreal are all words

Otherworldly, dream-like and surreal are all words I’ve used in conversation lately when trying to describe this incredibly stunning part of the world - Antarctica.

I don’t think anything can quite prepare you for its utter vastness, tranquillity and beauty. There are no indigenous people. There are no shops (apart from the @ukantarcticheritagetrust Post Office).

It’s cold but not as cold as you might imagine as it’s the summer. Temperatures have hovered so far around 0 to -2 Celsius.

By the way, did you know that on this day, 113 years ago Captain Scott reached the South Pole. Unfortunately, he was not the first. Ronald Amundsen reached it over a month before.

Amundsen wrote: Glittering white, shining blue, raven black … the land looks like a fairytale. Pinnacle after pinnacle, peak after peak-crevassed, wild as any land on our globe, it lies, unseen and untrodden. It is a wonderful feeling to travel along it.

Now ‘fairytale’ is going to be another word I’m going to add to my description of this White Continent.

I’m travelling on @vikingcruises Antarctic Explorer itinerary and really don’t want it to come to an end…

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Yesterday evening will forever remain in my memory

Yesterday evening will forever remain in my memory … the clouds lifted, the sun appeared and we glided along the Lemaire Channel in Antarctica on board @vikingcruises Octantis.

Steep rocky cliffs topped with layer upon layer of pristine white snow cocooned this picturesque passage. Everyone was on deck capturing photos and videos, keeping a keen look-out for wildlife.

Seals lounged sleepily on icebergs whilst penguins porpoised speedily through the still waters. We really couldn’t have asked for a more magical evening!

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Our location today, the very beautiful Hidden Bay

Our location today, the very beautiful Hidden Bay filled with stunning glacial cliffs and mountainous peaks.

A stand-out landmark of the area are Una’s Peaks, also know as the Cape Renard Towers, which you can see in the photo durinh the sunniest part of our morning.

Antarctic weather changes so quickly! We awoke to snow falling this morning and limited visibility. Then the winds picked up and the sun shone briefly, before clouds shrouding the bay by lunchtime.

I love seeing the incredible perspective of the scenery in contrast to the Zodiac boats!

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Today’s adventure … an exhilarating ride on on

Today’s adventure … an exhilarating ride on one of @vikingcruises’ two Special Operations Boats around Damoy Point.

The boats are military grade, 12-seater ice strengthened aluminium, ocean-going vessels with very comfortable individual upright (rollercoaster-like) seats.

The sun even popped out briefly. But this afternoon’s plans, when we’d hoped to go on shore to see the penguins, were cancelled.

Safety is always Viking’s No.1 priority, which is very reassuring. And apparently with wind gusts of up to 34 knots, it was deemed unsafe.

The weather changes very, very quickly in Antarctica, so being flexible is very important. Crossing my fingers that we get another landing opportunity whilst we’re here.

This video is a little snapshot of our memorable ride…

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It still feels a little surreal being here, otherw

It still feels a little surreal being here, otherworldly…with lots of ‘pinch me’ moments. Seeing my first-ever iceberg, my first penguin in its natural environment, my first whale.

These photos are a little snapshot of our first afternoon in this magical place. Whilst visiting the Melchior Islands, we donned our outdoor gear (it was 1 degree Celsius) and went on our first Zodiac excursion.

I could have stayed on the Zodiac all afternoon, but our 45 minute meander around the islands gave us the opportunity to spot penguins and a seal, plus see an Argentinian base and scientific research station. Tap through for all the images.

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Every moment of the journey from the UK to Antarct

Every moment of the journey from the UK to Antarctica…

Flying from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires via Rio, overnight in Buenos Aires, flying to Ushuaia, boarding @vikingcruises Octantis, sailing along the Beagle Channel, over 36 hours traversing the Drake Passage and arriving at lunchtime today in Antarctica.

So, so very excited about our arrival!

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Yesterday, whilst sailing from Ushuaia along the B

Yesterday, whilst sailing from Ushuaia along the Beagle Channel, we just happened to be out on deck when @vikingcruises Polaris crossed paths with us on her return from Antarctica.

I have such fond memories of sailing on the ship on the Canadian Discovery itinerary last year, from Toronto to New York…

We’re on Viking Octantis, Polaris’s sister ship. Both ships are identical. They’re Expedition Ships, designed specifically to explore the world’s most remote regions. Built in 2022, they carry 378 guests and 256 crew.

I’m feeling very grateful for their straight bow, long hull and state-of-the-art fin stabilisers as we negotiate the Drake Passage today! More on this part of our adventure later…

#myvikingstory #antarctica #vikingpolaris #vikingexpedition #vikingexpeditionship

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