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S U M M E R I S S U E 2 5
Clockwise, from top left:
Whale, Antarctica; special
operations boat, Antarctica;
Penguins, Antarctica.
about Antarctica and intrepid explorers,
including Robert Falcon Scott, Roald
Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton.
We were delighted to have Viking Head of
Science and Sustainability, Dr. Damon
Stanwell-Smith, sailing on board with us. He
gave informative lectures and was available to
answer any questions regarding safe and
responsible travel to this fragile environment.
Viking strictly adheres to the "Leave No Trace"
principle and takes serious steps to keep
Antarctica pristine.
Guests are encouraged to visit the lab to
experience the impressive fieldwork and
research that is carried out on board.
Specialists are also available to consult with
guests one-on-one at Expedition Central, the
hub where 3D printed maps, digital screens
and a state-of-the-art spatial data
visualisation chart table are on display to
complement all expedition activities.
We enjoyed eating in the calm setting at
Mamsen's, where we tried delicious
Norwegian fare. It was wonderful to know
that so many original recipes had been passed
along from the Hagen family's grandmother,
Ragnhild, known fondly as "Mamsen."
Sailing on, we approached Danco Island for
our next shore landing. It was snowing
heavily, which created a magical scene. We
noticed many icebergs calving and breaking
up nearby—the only noise on this still, silent
land. We travelled by Zodiac and witnessed
waves carried by the wind that turned to ice
before landing next to us. Using ski poles, we
navigated our way toward the massive
penguin colonies. It was truly wonderful to
observe the island's well-known Gentoo
penguins nesting. There were also crabeater
and Weddell seals in the clear,
almost-transparent water. It was truly special
to experience this spectacle of nature.
As we sailed north to land on Calliope
Beach along Snow Island in the South
Shetland Islands, the landscape was almost
lunar in appearance. The shoreline—a haven
for visiting wildlife—was covered in Weddell
and elephant seals relaxing, barking, fighting
or shuffling into the water for a swim. The
Viking seal specialist was in her element,
sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with
her curious pupils.
Each day of our Viking expedition journey
brought new, enriching and rewarding
experiences. After leaving Antarctica, we
sailed north through the Drake Passage and
headed towards the southern Chilean islands,
where we were met by an enormous amount
of activity from hundreds of Southern Ocean
birds in the surrounding sea and skies. As we
sailed around Cape Horn in the capable hands
of Captain Olivier Marien, we had time to
reflect on our wonderful adventure.
Sometimes it's hard to believe there is a
vast, snowy continent at Earth's southern tip.
We felt fortunate to visit the seventh
continent in the comfort of the Viking
Octantis, with the Viking Expedition Team
of polar experts, scientists, researchers and
explorers who all shared their impressive
knowledge and expertise. Our family
enjoyed every minute of this journey of
a lifetime.
GETTING THERE: A 13-day Antarctic
Explorer journey departs from
Buenos Aires and includes seven
days in Antarctica.
Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
Ushuaia
C ap e
H o r n
B ea gl e
C h a n n e l
ANTARCTICA
D r ake Pas s a g e
At lant i c
O cean
Half Moon Island
Whalers Bay
Brown Blu
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Damoy Point
L e m aire
C h a n n e l
Petermann Island
Neko Harbor
Cuverville Island
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C r ui s e
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C har te r e d Flight
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
E xamp l e e x p e di tio n d e s tination s
VIEW
VOYAGE
"e excellent onboard
Science Lab was such an
interesting surprise."
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