Back to Ushuaia and Never the Same

Upon leaving Ushuaia it felt kind of like a village; a small mountain town easily taken in within a few hours. After being gone for 10 days, the city felt much larger, and almost alien. It seemed otherworldly to look right off the ship - the same view that would have been nothing but water, ice, and wildlife - and now see a city there, complete with buzzing traffic. The twinkling lights of the harbor felt more like a bustling metropolis, and this was also accompanied by the feeling of how much I already missed Antarctica, and how surreal it is that we had the chance to explore such a remote and wild place. 

Sure, there was also excitement about being back to civilization. But, for the first time of the entire journey, most of your fellow travelers' faces are lit up by their phones as they make contact again with family, friends, and (gasp!) their jobs. Although internet was (somewhat) offered on the cruise, we opted to spend the entire trip off the grid, immersing ourselves in Antarctica as much as possible. This created a bit of anxiety as we had no way of checking on our baby - who is actually a dog - but we felt it was essential to make the most out of the experience. Many ship operators must agree with this sentiment, because even as technology progresses many decide to not offer the internet at all, and even in 2023 the best connections are mostly intermittent, as you are truly in the middle of nowhere. 

It’s with bittersweet feelings that you have one last dinner onboard, trade contact information with new friends you’ve met, share drinks with other travelers, and retire to your cabin without the now familiar sway of the sea. Tomorrow holds only a flight back to Buenos Aires, so the adventure now feels truly at its end. So, you relish these last moments on this ship you’ve grown so fond of, with a team that you have experienced so many amazing things with. And, as crazy as it sounds, you really hope that you have enough luck in this life to be able to go back again someday.