Wednesday, 2 January 2019
Punta Arenas, Chile
Final breakfast on board and then when flight is confirmed as having taken off from Punta Arenas, we board the Zodiacs for the final time. Sad. Very Sad.
Land at Bellinghausen. “Welcom to Russia!”, says Nigel, our guide. It’s a fine line between Chile and Russia. An hour’s wait for the flight to land so it’s a quick tour of the Russian Orthodox church up on the hill overlooking the station. The golden glow of the iconostasis warms you up after nothing but ice and snow the past few days. Haven’t really seen much colour thinking about it. The church is anchored to the rock with chains to stop it blowing away.
The Russians have also sussed that where there’s tourists , there’s a need for a shop. Some lucky folk will get a Russian Antarctic postcard to go with their British Antarctic ones. I hope you keep them!
Slow walk up the hill we walked down to congregate at the holding area adjacent the runway.
Aircraft lands. New group walks past. We wave. They wave. We now know what a brilliant time they are going to have!
Board flight and am blown a kiss by the young Chilean girl guide who has been with us. She makes an old man very happy.
There are no toilet facilities at Frei Station so there’s going to be an almighty rush to the loo once seatbelt signs go out but that doesn’t stop a few Chinese getting up as we’re still climbing. They’re told to sit down. I leap up as soon as the sign is switched off. It’s the same coffin sized toilet. I have a problem. I’m wearing my thermal long johns. There’s a lot of geometry and strange angles going on trying to have a pee!
Another good flight and after 2hrs land at Punta Arenas. Hand thermal wellies back.
That’s it. It’s all over. My Antarctic adventure is finished. I have had the best few days travelling I’ve ever had in 30 years travelling. If you ever get the opportunity to go to Antarctica. GO!
Now have PHD. Post holiday depression. Except. This is week two of a five month trip. What a fantastic start to what I hope will be an amazing journey to Prudhoe Bay.
Lazy afternoon in hotel catching up with admin and laundry followed by an excellent dinner with American Uncle and Nephew.
They rub Magellan’s foot on the statue in Plaza de Armas. They hope to return.
