I leave a week from tomorrow! My seventh continent has awaited my arrival for years and the excitement is almost overwhelming. I am nervous that there will be a delay in my flights, a government shutdown or an onset of some dreadful illness; but I’m also dreaming of the whales, penguins, albatross, a cabin of my own, French food and wine!

I packed a week ago already, determined to get everything into carry-on luggage just in case the airline decided to lose my bag like they did the last time I was in Argentina. I can’t wait! Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Port Lockroy, Port Charcot, Neko Harbour, Weddell Sea and Deception Island here I come.