Radioman Rides the World.......

[Solarmoose]

Mark, I have it on good authority that your friend's daughter got a postcard from Santa, and it was sent from the North Pole!

Happy New Year,
David

[Kennif]

Happy New Year Mark
I'm glad that your trip was everything you wanted it to be. Great photos too (what's new!) :-)
Shirley, Kiwi & I are looking forward to welcoming you into New Zealand/Aotearoa in the near future. Hopefully we will have our bikes prised out of Argentina by then so we can go riding.
Arohanui,
Ken and Kiwi

[marty hill]

Mark, you will love riding in NZ. A beautiful and very friendly country.
Keep up the wonderful work on this RR.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Solarmoose

Mark, I have it on good authority that your friend's daughter got a postcard from Santa, and it was sent from the North Pole!

Happy New Year,
David

So glad to hear ! Happy New Year to you.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Kennif

Happy New Year Mark

Shirley, Kiwi & I are looking forward to welcoming you into New Zealand/Aotearoa in the near future.

Hopefully we will have our bikes prised out of Argentina by then so we can go riding.
Arohanui,

Ken and Kiwi

Happy New Year to you as well. We will be seeing you in months ahead.

[Eagletalon]

This has to be one of those epic RR's that you read ever so often. Like wine it only gets better with time. Amazing shots of Antarctica mark. Glad to see you help a fellow friend with their loved one wishes. Your character truly something amazing and something that you don't see very much anymore.

Later
John

[bg]

I was so looking forward to these pictures and they didn't disappoint.

As always Mark, thanks so much for sharing your adventures!!

[d.asher]

Finally made it to the end of the report! Meanwhile, you've made it to the end of the world!! I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you through your travels. I'm inspired to take more rides, more photos and share my life more with strangers after reading how you roll. Keep up the good work and Happy New Year, Radioman! Cheers!

[Radioman]

Couple more updates about antarctica.

Once the ship gets to Antarctica, we are very busy with landings and activities. One afternoon we landed on Peterman Island (, had to chuckle, but no one knew why it was named this) And about 50 people snowshoed to the top to the island!



Up we go .... this was a really steep hill.





Then we got to the top. Amazing views. Really! The photos do this no justice.



Michel trying the Radioman Jump



Suzanne Gives it a try.....



Then Radioman!! Like my hat.



My roommates of 203 + Honorary member Suzanne




Antarctica is really an amazing place. The vastness and wildlife is spectacular. There are 78 Research stations and it is internationally regulated even if some countries claim parts of it. Reading stories of exploration of Shackleton, Amundson, and Wilkins are amazing.










And huge Icebergs see the large Zodiac for a little scale (80-90% below the waterline)

The wildlife like the Leopard Seals (thanks to Passenger Suzanne for her awesome photo)



Nesting Penguins. Adeile chicks.... (thanks to Suzanne again)



And then being on the bow of a big ship (100M) navigating icebergs and ice flows.





Stunning place to visit!!

[BELSTAFF]

WOW!!!

nothing else to add just,

WOW!!!

[rtwpaul]

sounds like new years is going to be one hell of a party down there at the end of the world...have a beer for me, wish i could be there joining in...all the best for new places you are going to find in 2013

[DRRambler]

Mark you are doing a great job selling me on an Antarctic trip. Guess I'll just have to tell the wife we'll be eating A LOT more Kraft Dinner for the next 6 months

Thanks for sharing. Best wishes being sent your way for a wonderful New Year

[Nixels]

nIce Floe to your story, Mark.

[LadyDraco]

Absolutely wonderful photos!!!

Happy New Year !!! Mark

[Radioman]

So much to see .... and share.



Our last day in Antarctica was sunny and beautiful.



With some really amazing ice bergs like this one.....












Was amazing to appreciate the blue in the icebergs and the textures





Some more wildlife (thanks Michel)



and Suzanne



And the ancient Ice







As we sailed out toward the north and open ocean, our ship got one last great view of some Humpback Whales!! This was awesome to watch!!








Including some Tails....



And Michels photos with a great lens !






I was glad to have some Seasickness medications for the Drake Crossing as our return trip was a little rougher ( but I did very well with the Patch, and Candied Ginger to keep me feeling good!)



We had 4- 6 meter seas in the Drake which is really fairly calm on the Pancius. But on our return trip at about 2:30 am .....the engines stopped and we drifted for 15 hours with engine troubles. It was an interesting experience as the crew and staff had to handle 100 passengers who many had flights home in time for Christmas in various parts of the world.

We ended up getting into port 30 hours late ..... but under our own power. For me it was not a big deal as I was meeting some Moto riders from all over in Ushuaia for Christmas. The cruise line put people up in hotels and rearranged flights but some people missed Christmas at home. The crew and staff did a great job under the circumstances ..... tough when you have so many people to try to change plans during the holidays. I appreciated all they did for us!





It was an amazing time in Antarctica and one that totally was worth it for me. Yes it is expensive to get to this amazing place but was an unbelievable experience.

With any of these kinds of trips, if you are flexible and can be in the departure place you can find real deals for last minute fares. I met several people on my ship who were traveling and purchased last minute (within two days) tickets and paid 3,000-4,000 USD for the 10 day trip. and there are levels of cabins that can keep the prices down. Others paid much more. I was in the middle but the schedule fit my dates!!

Thanks for following along this side adventure!! Back to Moto Travel soon!