By Susan Ellis of Key Life Journeys

The flight from Ushuaia was delayed; while wandering the airport I seemed to know so many people. The sun shone brightly as I left and humid sunshine greeted me early evening in Buenos Aries. I was back at the familiar hotel. Was it only 19 nights since I was last here? That last night on TV it had been the academy awards. A world ... << MORE >>

By Susan Ellis of Key Life Journeys

We had a day at sea and gradually the Argentinean coast came into view. Wandering albatross still followed us but there were far more Shags in the air. During Happy Hour in the lounge there were the farewell speeches and our captain remembering the morning at Snow Hill Island. A memory, he said he would retain for the rest of his life. The sunset behind mountains and we had our final dinner on board.

The Polar Star was responding ...

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We are heading in a westerly direction. There will be a southerly sweep around Terra Del Fuego to get to the Beagle Channel and so to Ushuaia, but there is a feeling in the air that the adventure is winding down. Today will be our last expedition landing. Indeed we were to have had two. The weather made one impossible. The famous westerlies battered us as we attempted a landing on Carcas Island in the West Falklands.

Did I have a sense of regret that the end was in sight? ... << MORE >>

There is a saying warning "you can't go back." Yet if that chapter has not closed and there are more pages to be written, of course you must go back. However I know I do not want to try to recapture what was once experienced and make it be repeated or elongated. Let it be a new experience, a "to be continued" episode in life. Indeed let every chapter or episode be one that is ended wanting more, rather than finished too late.

The Falkland Islands or the Maldeves as ... << MORE >>

South Georgia disappeared into the sea mist. For two and a half days this would be a voyage of water, endless water; of close horizons when fog and mist limited visibility; serrated horizons when waves made it an ever moving line and distant horizons when storm clouds lifted. The journey one of changing colours, each associated with a mood.

I grew up on an island in the Irish Sea. The ocean, the sky, the clouds - all their movements, all their colours, and all their patterns have embedded reactive moods in me. Do today's ... << MORE >>

A new mood greeted us today. Mist and drizzle created a grey world of rocky islands tufted with tussock grass, kelp patterned smooth waters rising and falling with the swell and diving darting splashing shiny seals disturbing the peace. I had experienced grey wet weather before in South Georgia. But it carried a different energy. Gritviken had had a morose and threatening vibration. Here off the shore of Prion Island, life was awakening and hope seemed to pervade.

We landed on the island, knowing not all who travel here receive permits to do so. We arrived in two groups so ...<< MORE >>

After a morning of perfection at Fortuna Bay and Stromness, the afternoon was icing on the cake. We boarded our zodiacs for an up close and personal cruise in Hercules Bay. The temperature was near record breaking for South Georgia -  21 degrees C. The water was calm and a gentle undulating swell made the kelp dance. Huge fronds of yellow-brown sea weed rooted to rock and splayed out over the water.

The cliffs rose high around us with geological formations showing there was no easy ride for the appearance of South Georgia above the waves. Layers of rock exposed ...<< MORE >>

The transformation of experience which can occur overnight is amazing. The day before I had been surrounded by the energy of death and cruelty, the rain clouds had hung low and Gritviken had been shrouded in its murky past. It had weighed heavy on my shoulders. But this day I awoke to a different mood, atmosphere and spirit. Yes, the sun was shining. But as we anchored in Fortuna Bay I felt a different history embracing me. King penguins swam around the ship; mountains rose up from turquoise waters below. This day I would meet the end of my Shackleton ...<< MORE >>

Emotional energy hung in the rain clouds, the humid air filled with memories; a collected consciousness on the shores of King Edward Cove at Grytviken. We saw a stony shoreline of damp green grass and fur seals; the land quickly rising to jagged mountain peaks that were shrouded in swirling mist. Always that rainbow present, disappearing when the rain clouds lowered and gracing us as rain clouds lifted. It was raining when we made our landing which was away from the whaling station. Seals barked at us as we walked up the wet grass to a white picket fenced enclosure. ...<< MORE >>

Next morning Friday 7th March we prepared for a landing at St. Andrew’s Bay on the east coast of South Georgia. As we approached we saw another long sand and pebble beach with a stream cutting diagonally through it. Tussock grass covered hills rose up to a backdrop of grey glaciated mountains. A wide river came through the valley to the south. Our rainbow was still with us; the sky was a hazy blue with misty rain filled clouds dampening us. Today would be the ultimate experience of King penguins.

I was grateful to have brought with me a dabber type ...<< MORE >>

It did not take us long to reposition the M/V Polar Star for our second landing on South Georgia, at Gold Harbour. We had sailed through mist and light rain and the cliffs were shrouded obscuring the view. But there was a sense that there were peaks and cliffs and hanging glaciers above a long sandy beach. We had received much instruction on how to behave around the wildlife, including the distance we must keep from them. However we could remain should they approach us. Of course this was something we chose not to do with approaching fur seals with ...<< MORE >>

We passed a day at sea before reaching the U.K. Overseas Territory of South Georgia, a crescent shaped island stretching over 100 miles in length and 24 miles at its greatest width. It lies 900 miles south east of the Falkland Islands, which together in 1982 were illegally occupied by Argentineans laying claim to the territories. However the history of South Georgia is more notably one of sealing, whaling, research and fisheries. Now tourism is being added to the list. Smaller cruise ships and icebreaker expedition ships anchor in bays bringing tourists to wonder at the unbelievable beauty of the ...<< MORE >>

For over 24 hours we sailed east across the Southern Ocean from the South Shetlands to the South Orkney Islands. This group of islands was discovered by sealers, the American Palmer and the British Powell, in 1821. In 1823 Weddell arrived and made a crude map of the area. The afternoon of 4th March 2008 was one spent, dare I use the words - in rapture? I know what I mean when I use the word but I think it has been hijacked by religion. I saw it as an "expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion -a state or ...<< MORE >>

It was March 2nd 2008. We ate breakfast on board M/V Polar Star having returned from landing on the continental shores of Antarctica. An island landing was anticipated later that morning but the shore was found to be guarded by a wide jiggling band of icebergs, the wind had strengthened and visibility had deteriorated. No more heroics. We sailed on, heading out into the Southern Ocean to journey back to the South Shetlands and to a land steeped in Sir Ernest Shackleton history, Elephant Island. ...<< MORE >>

A 6am landing was scheduled on the beach below Brown Bluff, 2,300ft (700metres) of yellow-brown basalt.. This was our only mainland landing, not only in the continent of Antarctica, but for the whole trip. Snow laden clouds were around but the sun was rising to brighten the scene. The water was still. There was a dark pink glow and a silence for the first time on this trip.  No gale force wind, no crashing waves, no sound of creaking ship. ...<< MORE >>

On the M/V Polar Star there is a Wet Room. After returning to the deck from the Zodiac we must have our boots and waterproof pants hosed down, and then we walk through a bath of disinfectant, before entering the Wet Room. Here we disrobe our outer gear leaving parkas, outer pants, boots and life jacket on pegs. We retrieve our dry shoes and through another door enter a main passageway in the ship not far from the dining room.

I think we were in a stunned silence as we performed the changing ritual and went back to our cabins. My ...<< MORE >>

The Weddell Sea, at the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, has grey skies, strong wind and huge icebergs today. Antarctica is presenting me with her harsh face. But she offered an invitation to join her, at my own risk, allowing my soul to be rewarded with unique experiences. Am I up to the challenge? The yearning I feel inside is the response. This was the purpose of the journey.

 

We anchored off Snow Hill Island. We have already learned of its geological significance made famous by the Nordenskjold Expedition, which left Sweden in October 1901. The team came on the ...<< MORE >>

Many things I am sure happened to me in the November of 2006, but only two events are relevant to this story. The first was that after much research I had decided when, where and how I would return to Antarctica. The second was my annual visit to a well respected psychic. For several years I have found great comfort in talking to loved ones on the other side and to hear wisdom which I can act on if I wish. My Mother and Sue are always in attendance and I cherish those moments of bridging the physical and non-physical ...<< MORE >>

Pondering the events of the early morning landing on Deception Island, I became aware of several facts. When there is a wind blowing, even if the temperature is above freezing, the wind chill feels like it does in Canada. My physical limitations may make me confront some challenges. Walking uphill in the wind had proved a strain. I was short of breath very quickly. I had to stop frequently to regain it. Let’s hope that I wouldn’t ever be short of time. I learned that if one is wearing woolen socks, any heat there is in one’s feet warms the ...<< MORE >>

In 2006 I had sailed into Ushuaia for the afternoon on board a huge cruise ship, Holland America’s Rotterdam. While there I took an excursion on a small boat witnessing islands in the Beagle Channel. The light was enchanting. It created vibrant patterns in sky sea and land; it accentuated the magnificence of mountains and sky; it allowed for the drying and basking of cormorants and seals on rocky islands.

We returned to the ship in time for breakfast. ...<< MORE >>

When one begins to write the story of an adventure, does one start with the dramatic action or does one set the scene first? Perhaps it will be a bit of both.

Antarctica can be enjoyed from a luxury cruise ship where hot soup is served on deck to warm the observer. Antarctica can be enjoyed from a beach on Snow Hill Island with a blizzard blowing and ice bergs crunching, jostling for position. A Zodiac boat appears out of the white. Those ahead of you in Wellington boots walk into waves and climb aboard. Oh please let there be ...<< MORE >>

I have now returned from my expedition through the Southern Ocean and the Scotia Sea. Although a journey to similar places is recorded in Antarctica -a soul Journey - awakening, this adventure proved to be a test and awakening of a different nature. Yes, another of those "once in a lifetime experiences", but one which opened up a new reality; a way of seeing this planet through different eyes. A voyage embraced other senses while following the paths of the lonely albatross and tracing more of Shackleton's footsteps.

It had been from the decks of Holland America's Rotterdam that I ...<< MORE >>

Your Moment of Awakening

Your moment of awakening can come to you at any time, and through any person. Therefore honor all times and all people, for the moment of your deliverance may be at hand. It will be your deliverance from The Illusion, the moment when you can be with it, but not within it.

There will be more than one such moment in your life. Indeed, your life is created to bring you just such moments.

These are your Moments of Grace, when clarity and wisdom, love and understanding, guidance and insight ...<< MORE >>