The heartbeat of the Antarctica experience lies in the ship’s mud room. Located on deck two, our daily routine to get ashore started with a cattle call by group after the initial zodiac safety boats were deployed to scope out the ever-changing landscapes of the white continent.
Our heavy weather gear is already stashed in our own numbered bench spot #73. We were issued waterproof bog boots, along with a rugged keepsake parka. It was required to bring waterproof gloves and pants, plus warm headgear. I packed my flat, never used frog toggs as they were big and easy to slip over any gear for protection.
After fully layering up with 4 layers on the top and 3 on the bottom, you get funneled through the prep station to swipe your card, walk through a vat of pink disinfectant water, get checked by a staff person and then step off the gangway into the waiting zodiac boats that are your extension to the harsh landscapes in this polar region.
And a hilarious moment ensued just after taking my first steps on my 7th and final continent. The snow pack was thick and I mistakenly sunk in between premade footprints. While pulling out my foot, the entire crotch of my thin frogg togg pants ripped out. Seriously?!?!
We didn’t know how fortunate we were in the moment, but we achieved all 8 of 8 planned excursions to see a wide diversity of landings during our spectacular journey.
Upon return to the ship, we rigorously brush our boots while spraying warm water over any gear that happened to touch land. This process is critically important to eradicate any contamination or spreading of diseases between numerous colonies of species. We swipe back in and also step back through the pink pool. Then it’s on to undressing, hanging all your wet gear and prying off your boots with a specially made board.
Typically after that excitement, we head to the lounge to indulge in rich hot chocolate and biscuits with honey. And if you’re lucky, you don’t get called out to participate in the “walk of shame”, which means you didn’t clean your boots to the staff’s liking and had to try again (yes I had to comply only once, but it makes it worse that it is was our final excursion where I still had sand pebbles imbedded in my soles).
I was actually very sad to leave after our last outing, as this area was truly the launching pad bringing all those preconceived thoughts and dreams to life. Now my 475+ pictures and videos stand as living proof of this amazing journey!
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