A couple are leaving their comfortable London life for an Antarctic adventure.
Mark Machado, 32, and partner Sabina, 30, from north Wembley, are leaving on February 1 to join an expedition with Ninth West Global, working for progressive environmental custodianship.
They will be two of 10 people aboard a 70-foot ship, led by neuroscientist and researcher, Lee Von Kraus, sailing around the landmass and learning more about Antarctica’s wildlife and communities.
The first challenge will be the crossing from Ushuaia, Argentina, over Drake Passage, with some of the world’s roughest seas.
Mark, a broadcaster and journalist, said: “We’ll be out of contact, and while that will be challenging, and I’ll sorely miss football updates, it’s also part of the attraction to the trip.”
Mark explained there will be many uncertainties, adding: “It’s impossible to communicate with the communities beforehand, so we won’t know which bases will welcome us. Antarctica’s summer is more like our harsh winters.”
The 25-day voyage may be extended or cut short. They are at the mercy of local hospitality and good conditions.
They said they will be kept busy with iceberg-watch on the ship, and documenting and photographing findings. They will also have penguins, active volcanic islands, and fascinating scientists to keep them occupied.
Between them, they’ve already visited South East Asia, Australasia, much of Europe, North America, and the Middle East. But this will be their biggest challenge yet.
Mark added: “I’d like to visit every continent in the world. After this trip, I’ll almost be there but would love to visit many African countries. I’d like to do more expeditions in the future, and visit the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, the North Pole, and spend time in Russia, and Central and South America.”
Sabina added: “I’m nervous of the seasickness, the cold, and the uncertainties; but I’m excited to be going somewhere so, so different to anything I’ve ever known, and to learn that I can do unexpected things, get to know a group really well, and think about the historical explorers who’ve been there before.”
To follow their progress visit their blog unlikelyadventurers.blog
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