Ever since I can remember, my dream has been to visit all 7 continents. My life goal even. Considering that dream long predates first traveling outside of the U.S. when I was 21, I’m really not sure where it came from. 2 weeks ago on December 14, my big sister’s 40th birthday, we left for my (and all of our) final continent: Antarctica. Exactly 15 years to the day since I returned from my first international trip with Semester at Sea – a study abroad program that took me around the world by ship. 

Antarctica was everything I dreamed of and more. What made it so special? The beauty of the continent. How peaceful and untouched it still is. Penguins, seals, whales and birds all around us. Icebergs and glaciers in all shades of blue. The amazing Atlas ship and room. The delicious food including daily tea times and after dinner cheese plates. Camping on snow in only a sleeping bag on Matt’s birthday. Kayaking in pristine waters. Jumping into the nearly frozen sea. Crossing the Antarctic circle inching closer to the South Pole. The people…sharing something and somewhere so extraordinary with those I love and with the expedition team and crew who are as kind as they as passionate. 

Trip of a lifetime with our group of 4.