Local travel enthusiast Azimah Salleh concluded 2024 by fulfilling her dream of visiting Antarctica, crossing this adventure off her bucket list after successfully reaching the southernmost landmass on Earth.
Following her extraordinary trip in 2020 to hunt for the Northern Lights (aurora), she had set her sights on visiting Antarctica in December 2020. However, her plans were forced to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward to the present, she finally realised her dream by stepping foot on Antarctica.
Before embarking on her adventurous journey, Azimah took considerable time to prepare for what she described as a life-changing experience.
She recalled, “Technically, I followed the official Facebook page of the expedition ship and joined other Facebook groups focused on the Antarctic community. I posted questions to gather information and prepare myself to choose for the right one. I then discovered a travel planner based in Malaysia looking for clients interested in joining an Antarctica trip in 2022 for a December 2024 departure. I met with the travel planner in early May 2023 for a face-to-face discussion. Paid for deposit at the end of May 2023 to confirm the booking and subsequently the remaining payment in May 2024.”
She added, “I also had to attend an interview at the Argentine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as visa was required for Brunei passport holders. The interview took place in September 2024.”
Her journey began with a flight to Singapore on November 28, followed by transits through Dubai and São Paulo to reach Buenos Aires. The final leg of her trip was a domestic flight to the southern Argentinian city of Ushuaia, often called the ‘End of the World.’ Ushuaia offers unmatched adventure, stunning landscapes and a rich history, serving as a gateway to Antarctica and a host of sensational experiences in southern Patagonia. Azimah arrived in Ushuaia on November 30. On December 1, attended a briefing of the exploration at a hotel.
On December 2, she boarded the Ocean Explorer for the ‘Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent’ expedition under Quark Expeditions.
Reaching Antarctica after traversing the Drake Passage, she recalled, “Praise to Allah the Almighty, we saw our first iceberg in the morning after a 1.5-day journey from Ushuaia.
Thankfully, we had smooth sailing throughout the Drake Passage. I was advised to see the onboard doctor for motion sickness pills, which helped immensely.”
She shared her reasons for visiting Antarctica: “I wanted to witness wildlife in their natural habitat – like penguins, whales and more. I also wanted to see the landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula and the variety of iceberg shapes. I was lucky to have good weather, with blue sunny skies and temperatures ranging from four to five degrees Celsius.”
She added, “I observed the activity of humpback whales from logging, dive and fluke slap. However, I wasn’t lucky enough to witness any breaching. Still, it was an amazing experience. I was able to hike during one of the onshore landings and participated in a paddling excursion. It was also great to meet new people and make friends during the journey.” She also said “Seeing is believing. You know when you read this sentence: the scientists are worrying about the melting of the iceberg if the earth temperature is raising…now I understand it…though the iceberg that I saw is not as huge as A23a (currently largest iceberg on planet).”
Discussing the challenges she faced during the expedition, she said, “Performing the prayers for Maghrib, Isyak and Subuh were difficult to manage due to the shorter periods of sunrise and sunset.”
Her advice for others considering a trip to Antarctica: “Always do thorough research and be cautious of red flags when planning your trip to countries of interest. Reaching Antarctica is a unique and special experience unlike any other continent.”
She added, “Go with an open heart and enjoy the process.”
As a seasoned solo traveller, she commented, “It’s always scary at the beginning, but I always remember my mother’s advice: Doa, Zikir and Tawakal (pray, remember Allah the Almighty and have faith).” – James Kon
