Antarctica Voyage Day 11 – 29th December 2015- Flying out of King George Island
Today was our last day in Antarctica. It snowed all morning so it was an apt end to our voyage, which had been in the calm waters and best weather of the season so far.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Vavilov
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
There was a flight load of passengers arriving from Chile to join our ship, whilst we would catch the plane on its return back to Punta Arenas.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Vavilov with new friends
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
New friends made on Vavilov
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
We had to have our luggage ready, as it was taken directly to the airport.
We left the boat by Zodiac and then once landed on King George Island, had to take our hand luggage plus coats and walking boots with us. We were still in the shipping issue waterproof trousers, coats and wellies as after getting off Zodiac boats at the Chilean Research Station, we had to walk 2 miles (carrying our hand luggage) through deep snow and slush to the airstrip.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Memorial to Antarctica Treaty, Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
Memorial to Antarctica Treaty, Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Memorial to Antarctica Treaty, Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Chilean Research Station arrows
Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
I was particularly interested in the research station, to see if there was any rubbish around. Although I think things would be improved with rubbish cleared up and drums stored out of sight in a safe place, the stations were not too bad.
We were expecting the runway to be tiny, but there were 3 planes waiting for passengers.
First stop was to get our Chilean Antarctica passport stamps in and out, before walking closer to our plane swapping boots, trousers and coats before getting our plane.
Antarctica passport stamp
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig new friends
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Our flight was delayed but it was still light, as we flew over the continent and sea.
Back in Punta Arenas, we had a quick stop over before a morning flight.
It was a fantastic end to the trip of a lifetime. Maybe one day I will return as a crew…
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.