Tuesday 29 December 2015

Antarctica Voyage Day 11 - 29 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



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 ship 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
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 run way 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 crew…



About the Writer


Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig


Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter












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