Off to see penguins!
Antarctica, Chile, Lindblad December 4th, 2008
Okay, this time I am taking NO chances. Tuesday we’ll arrive in Santiago, Chile on our way to experience Lindblad’s Antarctica aboard the new National Geographic Explorer. We are supposed to have Internet connectivity; however, after the fiasco in China, I’m not too sure I’ll be able to connect to my blog (Mr. Blog Host, have you fixed the problem, yet????). So, in case I can’t blog in real time, here’s our itinerary:
December 9 – 10 — Santiago/Grand HyattWe arrive in Santiago this morning. With the soaring Andes as a backdrop, Santiago makes a spectacular and welcoming first impression — as does our hotel, the Hyatt Santiago, located in a gracious residential neighborhood. In the afternoon, we have a panoramic overview of the city including a visit to the Pre-Columbian Museum. Return to the Hyatt for a relaxing dinner. December 11 — Fly from Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark ShipThe morning’s LAN Chile charter flight offers some rare views as we fly over the vividly rugged terrain of Patagonia before landing in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. We’ll have lunch during a catamaran cruise of the scenic Beage Channel before embarking National Geographic Explorer.December 12 — At Sea
We awake this morning well into our journey across the Drake Passage. Lying between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake holds a unique place in maritime lore. Sometimes misty and gray, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable – a milestone in any adventurer’s personal travel history.
December 13 — Antarctica
Our first landfall is at one of the many islands of the Antarctic Peninsula region, taking hikes and Zodiac forays with our Naturalists.
December 14 – 19 — Antarctica
Days 6-11 – With nearly 24 hours of daylight at this time of year, we make the most of our six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. Out there, our ship will freely roam. Our expedition team is a veteran one, and their expert knowledge of Antarctica’s waters enables us to take advantage of the unexpected. We’ll be out daily – experiencing Antarctica with all our senses as we walk, cruise in Zodiacs, and paddle kayaks through berg fields, hearing the Antarctic seltzer (gases escaping from dissolving icebergs) around us, the cries of the penguins, and the huge, nurturing silence of this perfectly pristine place. We may sail through the incomparable Lemaire Channel, known as Iceberg Alley, where a hush falls over onlookers as bergs of beauty and scale drift by. We’ll learn to identify penguins, paddle kayaks through berg fields and land with Zodiacs on the “White Continent.”
December 20 – 21— At Sea
As we sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of seabirds that cross our bow. There’ll be plenty of time to enjoy a wellness treatment, log some time in the gym, or catch up on the book you haven’t had a minute to read.
December 22 — Ushuaia/Disembark/Santiago
After breakfast, we disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore before proceeding to the airport for our LAN Chile charter flight to Santiago, and an overnight flight to Miami.
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