Solo Traveling: Don't Sweat It!

Travel companions make things a whole lot easier. You get to go from place to place leaning on each other as you make your way through unknown places, language barriers, confusing directions and tricky situations. Pals make it comfortable, stress-free (mostly) and provide laughs and company out in the middle of nowhere.

But traveling alone opens up a whole new world of awesome. Nothing puts me outside my comfort zone (in a good way) like solo adventures — from meeting new, now lifelong friends to total self-reliance, traveling alone makes me feel scared and alive. And I need to do more of it.

Luckily, Antarctica is one of the easiest places to visit as a solo traveler. Here are some reasons why:

1. You’re on a ship the whole time, with lots of crazy people, just like you.
2. There are many other solo travelers too, all friendly and looking for other people to hang out with.
3. These solo travelers come in all ages. No matter where you are in life, you will be able to make a new friend. Everyone has a story.
4. If you’re going alone, the ship will set you up with a cabin-mate(s). Depending on your ship, this will be 1-3 other people of the same gender. Instant companionship!
5. You're constantly so absorbed in the magical world of Antarctica that you get totally lost in it all. In that state,  you actually want to be on your own, in your head, taking it all in. These moments of introverted reflection were absolutely priceless and a critical part of my experience.
6. Ushuaia, the port of call for Antarctica, is filled with lots of English-speaking adventurers, making their way to and from Antarctica or Patagonia. Hostels and Hotels are everywhere and the town is easily walkable and easy to for non-Spanish speakers to have a good time.
7. It’s super easy to get from the airports to Ushuaia, to hikes, to the port, and it’s likely that the tour company will have done everything to help you get from A to B with little thought from you. 
    

I’m telling you, it’s really, shockingly easy. 

So, if you’ve been dying to go to Antarctica and nobody will go with you (because they don’t quite get why’d you go in the first place), just go! Go on your own. Plan it now! 

It will always seem harder than it is, but trust me it’s a breeze — and you might just have a better time than you ever expected.

When in Antarctica, You Jump in the Water

I wasn’t quite sure I was up for the polar plunge in the icy -1C Antarctic waters before my journey. But in the moment, on a sunny day in Paradise Bay, there was no getting out of it. I jumped! It was cold, and it was amazing.