Antarctica 2026, taking the scenic route.

[LegoBloxs]

Those of you who know Tracy (Birddog) and myself won’t be surprised to hear we signed up for Jeff Bozanic’s 2026 Antarctica Expedition within hours of his presentation last year.

In past years, when we’ve done these expedition style trips I write way too much in one go. This time, subject to internet access, I’m going to try bite size updates as we make our way around the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica.

Sounds a lot like a travel blog but stay tuned for more….

 

[DeepGeek]

You guys are going to have a blast!

 

[Atlantean]

Those of you who know Tracy (Birddog) and myself won’t be surprised to hear we signed up for Jeff Bozanic’s 2026 Antarctica Expedition within hours of his presentation last year.

In past years, when we’ve done these expedition style trips I write way too much in one go. This time, subject to internet access, I’m going to try bite size updates as we make our way around the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica.

Sounds a lot like a travel blog but stay tuned for more….

Sounds great Simon!

Looking forward to the reports and pics!

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 1 - successfully navigated probably the most treacherous leg of the southbound journey, I45 to Bush Airport.
A clear run through security, unheard of us, so just kicking about the departure lounge before our overnight flight to Buenos Aires.

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 2 - We arrived into Buenos Aires a few hours late after plane trouble in IAH, this actually work out well. We were able to drop our bags off and go out to a local cafe for a nice lunch whilst they got our room ready for us to settle in.
Now fueled up on coffee and cheesecake we went exploring some of the lovely parks and green areas in the North of the city. Streets are busy but the parks offered some welcome peace.
Wrapped up the day with a fantastic steak dinner.

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 3 - took an open top sight seeing bus tour, one of the hop on hop off ones. Great way to catch the highlights and identify anything of interest for later. That said, we did spend a large amount of the day in a nature reserve on the North East of the city and runs out to the River Plate.
Dinner tonight was Greek and it was fantastic, wrapped up with baklava ice cream and Greek Coffee.

 

[LegoBloxs]

 

[LegoBloxs]

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 4 - It’s been long, busy day and thing feel like they are getting real now.
Up early for our flight down to Ushuaia and we were treated to a glorious sunrise. We spent the day wandering about the town and sampling some beers from Patagonia Brewing, the most southerly brewery. Carrot and ginger soup also very good.

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 5 - …..PENGUINS
Today was very special for me, I’ve had a fascination with cute flightless swimming birds for decades, so finally see wild penguins was a very moving experience, so again I shout quietly “Penguins”
Today was a boat tour out to Faro lighthouse, bird colony and a few sea lions, then on to Isla Matillo to visit the Magellanic penguins along with a few Gentos. Able to get pretty close and so long as we humans behaved they were very relaxed.
After we went to Harberton Ranch for tour of the whale museum but far more interesting behinds the scenes section where we could see the somewhat gruesome preparation process. Last picture is a Leopard Seal undergoing preparation.

 

[Atlantean]

Day 5 - …..PENGUINS
Today was very special for me, I’ve had a fascination with cute flightless swimming birds for decades, so finally see wild penguins was a very moving experience, so again I shout quietly “Penguins”
Today was a boat tour out to Faro lighthouse, bird colony and a few sea lions, then on to Isla Matillo to visit the Magellanic penguins along with a few Gentos. Able to get pretty close and so long as we humans behaved they were very relaxed.
After we went to Harberton Ranch for tour of the whale museum but far more interesting behinds the scenes section where we could see the somewhat gruesome preparation process. Last picture is a Leopard Seal undergoing preparation.
View attachment 85620View attachment 85621View attachment 85622

PENGUINS!! An absolute treasure for our planet!

Bucket list for sure. Glad y'all are enjoying the trip.

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 6 - woke to discover that the expedition was cancelled as the boat had major motor issues and was not going anywhere but the dry dock. So that was a crappy start to day.
With limited information and options available we continued with today plans anyway. A 4x4 tour up to to the Andes for some scenic peace and Argentinian BBQ.
Expedition meeting in the evening to review options……. So trying again in 2028 all being well.
Sacrifices in our name please the Expedition gods.

 

[Atlantean]

Well that's a drag Simon, and also an understatement on my part.

Terribly sorry to hear that the expedition "gods" did not side to your favor but I find the attitude that you're embracing, especially in light of recent developments, very admirable.

Wishing you both a meaningful way to salvage your time down there in the most enjoyable ways possible. And I wish you both a safe and uneventful trip home!

Looking forward to your trip reports in 2028...

 

[Lakediver]

Oh no! I'm so sorry that you travelled all that way, only to get cancelled. Any ideas for a backup plan?

 

[DeepGeek]

That sucks guys. Hope you get to stumble on a decent unplanned alternative!

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 6 - got up and put on my big girl panties and got on with tasks at hand. 2 Ubers, yes, that much gear, an we arrived at Ushuaia Divers for our planned extra pre-trip dive. 5 divers and our DM made our way out Isla Tierra Del Fuego and we splashed in for our dive.
Viz was reasonable for the location, loads of star fish, and other macro beasties. The DM set a pretty good pace so there wasn’t a lot of time to set up shots.
Passing the headland and getting into th current we got into the kelp. This was my first time diving in this much kelp so that was new.
Water temp was not too cold, just as well as my zipper started seeping within a minute of our descent, by the half hour mark I was wet and feeling cold enough to call it a day. Still a fun dive and I can now log Argentina and South America in the log book (not sure if Bonaire counts, but that’s a moot point now).
Afternoon was more Ubers as we swapped apartments, a few hours of travel cancellations, changes and booking before going round the corner to the Irish pub for Guinness and pizza.
Not the day I hope for, but made the most of it and kick off plan B in the morning.

 

[DeepGeek]

Glad you got to dive the kelp beds, hope the zipper isn’t a problem for more than one dive…

 

[ReefHound]

I think most of us here in Houston wish we had that day.

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 7 - with another ‘extra’ day in town we went back out in the Begal Channel again this morning where we had the company of half dozen fin whales within minutes of leaving the dock and some very playful sea lion pups. Landed for a short hike on one of the islands then back to the dock, with a few mod whales
Visited the maratime and prison museum after lunch, a fascinating place with lots to see covering a lot the local and Antarctic explorations.

 

[LegoBloxs]

Day 8 - that just about wraps it up for our impromptu Tiera Del Fuego trip. But before going to the airport time for a quick trip out the national park. The views are staggering, well worth a trip if you’re in the area.
After a bit more luggage Uber Taxi juggling we are at the airport awaiting our flight back to Buenos Aires.
Think I shall miss this place, it’s been a lot of fun even not what we had planned.