Wish You Were Here: A Los Gatos couple reports back from Antarctica

Whether you’re an armchair traveler or planning a trip, our intrepid readers have plenty of travel ideas to share. They’ve explored Lisbon and the Azores, taken a polar bear plunge in Antarctica and done the cinematic thing in Los Angeles. Now they’re sharing their adventures and travel tips with us.

This week, we’re hearing from a Los Gatos couple who journeyed south for icy adventures. Read on for details, then find more travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.

Wish You Were Here

ANTARCTICA: In February, Los Gatos residents Carol and Jim Graham took an 18-day trip from Argentina to Antarctica that included landings on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, South Orkney Islands and several stops, Jim says, “on the actual Antarctica continent. It was spectacular and awe inspiring to stand on the only unoccupied continent in the world. Transfer to the different landings was via Zodiac, and you quickly
realize why waterproof gear is essential! We saw penguin rookeries with thousands of penguins on the shoreline, whales, seals and an Albatross with a 10-foot wingspan!”

It’s a long haul — 20+ hours of travel time from the Bay Area — but “all in all, it was a once in a lifetime event, an amazing adventure filled with dramatic land vistas, views of rare wildlife, that was absolutely spectacular.”

TRAVEL TIPS:  “Don’t overpack. A water-wicking base layer and a light overlayer works just fine. But make sure your gloves are waterproof! The cruise line supplies you with boots, pants and gives you a really nice two-layer parka to keep.” Temperatures were in the 24 to 33 degree range, Jim says, and travelers should be prepared for heavy seas, especially in the Drake Passage. “Being ocean sailors, this was no issue for us,” he says, “but it made for a pretty empty dining hall some days! If you are susceptible to motion sickness, bring some ‘seasick patches’ for behind the ear.”