My passion for travel and learning had taken me to 65 countries, all 7 wonders of the world and 6 continents. But Antarctica? That wasn’t even on my radar until I dared to dream!
I’d already explored 6 continents and felt like Antarctica was out of my reach but after reading posts on Antarctica in my travel group, I felt that I could no longer suppress my curiosity or deny my inner desire to visit this isolated icy continent.
My comment to a post in 2023, triggered a polar expedition agent to reach out to me and after A FULL YEAR of discussing with her and lots of research, my decision was made!
The choice of the expedition ship was the next critical decision. I felt confident about Swan Hellenic Vega due to my research based perception of:
🎯Their expertise in Antarctic expeditions
🎯The comfort and ruggedness of their ships
🎯The onshore experience offering: Multiple onshore landings in a way that is safe and respectful to the continent and its wildlife
🎯Face to face learning opportunities with research experts and explorers
*The timing of the trip (2025) was also critical as I intended to travel with my 12 year old son
Our knowledgeable and passionate agent was a key enabler. She provided personalized guidance, a custom app and a self authored workbook to support Antarctic adventures!
*Reflecting on the above part of our 2 year preparation phase, the following learnings came to my mind:
📈 Dare to dream! Push beyond your self imposed limitations. Seek help if you feel stuck and unable to overcome them on your own
📈 Curiosity sparks transformation, leads us to ask questions, take risks and to learn continuously
📈Location matters!
📍Locate yourself in communities that fuel your dreams and stretch your thinking.
📍Locate yourself in places where your targeted clientele gather and be ready to play the long game – success isn’t always immediate.
📈 Differentiate yourself – a clear market niche speaks when potential clients cant engage with you directly
📈 Support is crucial: It turns an idea into reality. We wouldn’t have made this journey without an agent who exhibited expertise, passion and patience!
📈Research and take action: Make an informed decision based on your research and instincts and commit to it
📈 Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. Reflect on your experiences and identify and leverage the learnings
📈Grow securely: Embrace challenges but ensure you feel supported in ways that allow YOU to thrive. Oftentimes, growth happens when you feel both challenged and secure
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