Fun in Antarctica

This item appears on page 74 of the January 2008 issue.
Fur seals swimming at Bailey Head, Deception Island. Photo: Van Horn

I took an unforgettable 11-day “Classic Antarctica” cruise with Big Five Tours & Expeditions (Stuart, FL; 800/244-3483, www.bigfive.com).

The small size of our 48-passenger ship, Quark Expeditions’ Professor Molchanov, allowed us to bond with each other from the onset of the cruise. I have difficulty walking and I was spontaneously and cheerfully assisted by passengers; I made many new friends.

Among highlights of this incredible and unique voyage were delicious meals, including a barbecue on the snow-covered stern; sighting whales; observing penguins feeding their young; thrilling to a rare Zodiac landing at Bailey Head; being cheered by my fellow passengers as I slid on my rump down Deception Island’s Snow Hill; watching our ship crunch through the ice; seeing green and blue icebergs, ice caps and shelf ice; walking on the ice and touching a trapped iceberg; landing on Antarctica (my seventh continent!), and toasting it farewell.

DOROTHY C. VAN HORN

Manhattan Beach, CA