"Sharrie's Arctic Circle" Top 5 Page for this destination Arctic by Sharrie

Arctic Travel Guide: 310 reviews and 460 photos

I did it! :-))) Now, what's next? - Arctic

Arctic!
A trip evolving on its own.
A journey preordained.

I didn't plan on it b4 leaving home.
It materialised within 5 hours just b4 I boarded the cruise ship M/S Explorer II to Antarctica.

Unbelievable?
Believe it.
Well, it took me some time to realise what a thought (a simple thought) could do.
+ A lot of help from all parties concerned.

The story goes like this:

I was set to leave for the 12 day cruise to Antarctica with Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.
I made my way, albeit a long one, via the U.S. with stops in L.A. & Miami, Argentina - Buenos Aires & Ushuaia to the port where we were supposed to board the cruise ship.
I arrived a day earlier so as to make sure there were no unforeseen circumstances arising.
It worked out all fine.
I finally got to Ushuaia a night b4.

It was a very expensive cruise.
& to a place I've dreamt of & took a lot of effort b4 getting here.
I was not going to jeapordize anything by going into the nearby national park.
So, I didn't.
I roamed the streets of Ushuaia in the morning b4 departure.

Ok, far far away from home.
Need to make a call home to let everyone knows I'm safe & on schedule.
Found the outlet which offers long distance calls.
Lots of them here in Ushuaia.
Well, my autoroaming doesn't work in this country. No network!
No matter. Calls are pretty convenient & cheap to make here.

Wow, internet access!
Ok, gotta check some mails!
Logged onto VT (I don't usually do that.)
Worldtrekker wrote! Told me to go & see northern lights. Cool idea! Thanks!

Search engine reveals "Northern Light Arctic Circle Adventure" by Northern Alaska Tour Company (NorthernAlaska.com).
Great! I should call them.
Placed a call (in Ushuaia) there & then to Alaska!
Brett (as God will have it) answered the call in the early morning. He was very helpful. Told me to call in an hour when the person in charged gets in.
Ok, went for lunch.
Made another call.
Kathy said they will try to make my dreams come true.
Marvelous! Gave them my credit card number & left all arrangements to them.

Proceed to board the ship in the afternoon.
B4 that, I've to get a ticket from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
Ok, Alaska Air online site. This internet thing is amazing, you know. Everything turns out the way it should be at the click of a mouse!
I purchased the E-ticket with just a few clicks & off I went on an adventure of a lifetime!
What could be better?

Life is beautiful :-)))
(Until I heard where they are taking me.
Coldfoot! OMG, what did I get myself into? That very name ... brrrrrrrrrrr, it's in the middle of winter in the Arctic, unlike Antarctica - basking in the summer warmth!)
If you think Antarctica is cold, think again!
Fortunately, I survived both!
So, that makes me a survivor eh? ;-)
& an adventurer & a loony, haha!
Who ever on this planet would go to both Antarctica & Arctic on the very same trip?
If you find another person, let me know.
He/she has to be my soulmate !!!!!!!

The man who made it possible

The man who chooses well...

Brett Carlson has lived for majority of his life in Coldfoot.
Coldfoot... yep, a name that scares many.
It's undoubtedly one of the coldest place on Earth.
But wait, there's always a softer side to harshness...
The beauty of Coldfoot is one that you have to endure the cold (brrrrrr) b4 you know what it is all about!

Thanks, Brett! For having made the ride such a beautiful & informative one. For showing me what life can be & what faith is :-)

Ignorance is bliss

Looking back... what a view!

Sometimes it pays not to think too much... consequences, well, most things in life are beyond our control anyhow.

Have faith... it's easier said than done.
I was on a road trip unlike any.
Out in the most remote part of the world.
Pure wilderness.
With 2 men.
I could be dead.
But, I had been lucky.
These 2 are the nicest & kindest men around.
We had a great time getting to where we wanted to.
It was an amazing journey.
The sunrise & sunset... beyond my imagination.
The winter wonderland... absolutely fantastic.
The trip? A triumph of human spirit!

Am I proud of myself?
You bet!
But more importantly, this is a message to all of you out there.
Be brave!

Last visit to Arctic: Jan 2004
Intro Updated Feb 9, 2004
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Reviews (41)

Dances with the wolves? Things to Do (36)

As the day darkened, we had to get going before there was complete darkness. Looking back, we found it unbearable to... more travel advice

Memory Things to Do (36)

The sunset of Arctic, the very fact that it was winter in the Arctic, the very thought that not many people get this... more travel advice

Colors Things to Do (36)

The colors of the sky was awesome, much more than what the camera was able to show. It was an amazing sight.... more travel advice

All the beauty, all the glory... - Arctic

I finally began to realise Things to Do (36)

The long drive, the same routine... I had wondered what made Brett do it over & over again! As the sun began to set, I... more travel advice

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Comments (19)

jumpingnorman May 30, 2009 at 11:21 PM Report Abuse

Wow! You went into the Arctic Ocean - great trip! "Arctic is an ocean and antartica is land surrounded by ocean" --- thanks for sharing this adventure! you braved the cold!
richiecdisc May 28, 2009 at 8:33 AM Report Abuse

Finding pleasure in the ordinary is when your butt sticks to the toilet....so did it? ;) Very cool...or should I say COLD?
sailor_p Sep 23, 2007 at 9:58 PM Report Abuse

Nice page. Interesting write-ups!
JohnniOmani Sep 7, 2007 at 9:54 PM Report Abuse

I agree, the Arctic is a special place. It was my home for 5.5 months a few years ago and it is like no other place on Earth. nice page ;) jz
36waterfalls Aug 10, 2006 at 11:45 AM Report Abuse

The snow so white and unspoilt and that sunset......truly amazing!
Royal63 Apr 1, 2006 at 10:16 PM Report Abuse

What an interesting trip! I enjoyed your Arctic pages.
chewy3326 Jan 24, 2006 at 5:39 PM Report Abuse

Nice page! Alaska and the Arctic look beautiful in winter, great photos!
wcph Jul 28, 2005 at 11:31 PM Report Abuse

What an adventure and journey! This is a fascinating page.
freya_heaven Jul 9, 2004 at 3:56 AM Report Abuse

Such a beautiful place to visit, your photos are wonderful. Well done Sharrie on a great page (~_~)
JLBG Jul 8, 2004 at 9:21 AM Report Abuse

Great Arctic page! I will visit your Antarctic later. I have failed to be Arctic in Iceland but succeeded in Norway (page to build!). I even swimmed in the ocean further north! OK, it was full summer, not winter and there was neither snow nor ice!