Elva’s latest adventure!
As promised, we have the latest on Elva’s latest adventure! She set off to South America for an Antarctic cruise and she is currently part way through her travels. Here is her update so far:
“As I departed Australia, I reflected on how fortunate I am to be well and fit enough to continue working on my travel goal to circumnavigate the globe.
My daughter Louise and granddaughter Lily are travelling with me as far as Antarctica, crossing the Southern Ocean. Then I am travelling on to Rio where I will join a cruise to Cape Town crossing the Southern Atlantic. Finally, l will fly to Perth and cruise back to Cape Town across the Southern Indian Ocean, with my son Bruce. Thereby completing my goal.
Image of Elva’s travels.
We arrived in Buenos Aires on 30th December. The next day we boarded the hop-on-hop-off bus for an excellent tour of the first half of the city. Later that night, we joined the locals to welcome in 2025.
On the 1st of January we decided to take the bus again to see the rest of Buenos Aires, followed by a night at an Argentinian Tango dinner and show, which was colorful and entertaining.
The next morning, we flew to visit the famous Iguazu falls, which are just amazing. We then returned to Buenos Aires and boarded our cruise ship, the Sapphire Princess, on our Cruise to the Antarctic.
This cruise was what they refer to as a “Sail bye” where the passengers cannot leave the ship but sail along the coast of Antarctica. The “Sail bye” cruises are more affordable and suitable for anyone who has mobility or financial restrictions.
After 4 days at sea we reached our first port, Punta Arenas in Chile. We went for a very long walk around this city, and revived a few memories from my previous visits.
The following day we arrived at Ushuaia, Argentina, the most southern city in the world! Again, after a walk around this city, I was happy to return to my cabin, while Louise and Lily took a bus tour around town.
I am very conscious about preserving my energy for the experiences this trip will offer me and which will be new to me.
We crossed Drakes Passage, where the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans join the Antarctic Convergence. It is known as one of the most dangerous waterways on the planet.
This is at long last, my crossing of the Southern Ocean, which was my main reason for doing this part of my voyage!
Crossing Drakes Passage we had most wonderful seas and weather you could wish for.
Suddenly, there it was! This marvelous vision of enormous Icebergs and the Antarctic coast!
I cannot explain the feelings this extraordinary vision of grandeur brings. A sense of awe and wonder, peace and humility and a kind of fulfilment!
Whales were swimming alongside us. The penguins flying in and out of the waves, further from shore than I expected.
As we drew nearer to the coast you could make out the penguin colonies both on the icebergs and onshore.
This picture was all I had imagined, and more than had read about too!
We visited the South Shetland Islands, King George Island, Deceptions Island and Elephant Island to name a few.
We marveled how Shackleton and his men survived all those months, and how Shackleton had sailed his small boat across these seas for many weeks to save his men. If you haven’t read it, this is a remarkable story about these brave men and their remarkable Captain.
After a wonderful Antarctic experience, we head back through Drakes Passage and headed for the Falkland Islands.
At this time, I found myself reflecting on what it must have been like for my great-uncle, a Master Mariner, as he rounded Cape Horn on his several voyages to Sydney and Tasmania on his sailing ships.
My great-uncle Lt William Langdon is my inspiration! He was an early pioneer in this area and used to call in to these islands for fresh water and survey the land for settlement. He was in fact the first Englishman who owned land on the Falkland Islands in the early 1820’s. I went to the museum in Stanley, where their archivists knew of him. I was quite thrilled!
We continued to make our way up the coastline of Argentina to spend a day in Montevideo before arriving at Buenos Aires and the end of this part of my voyage.
I caught my flight to Rio de Janeiro where I am now, waiting a few days for my next adventure to begin!”
Stay tuned for the next part of Elva’s adventure, cruising across the South Atlantic to Cape Town.
To check out her Antarctic Cruise visit Princess Cruises.
You can also read more about Elva and her inspirational travels here:
Elva shares her packing and travelling tips
We are happy to report that Elva made it!
South Pole dream just weeks away for 83 year old travel-enthusiast, Elva
