Akzo Nobel's Inspire Antarctic Expedition 2008

Today is one of those few days we have in life when you say, how can all this incredible stuff possibly happen in 1 day? I had an early morning up and a very cold way to start on the top of the ship. What a way to wake up – cold, crisp, fresh wind blowing in my face. We made the overnight trip and after breakfast, a call went up to say Orca whales on the bow. A pod of Orca’s was swimming around and we followed them for awhile. What a beautiful creature and they move so effortless in the water.

We then had a landing and climbed the top of a hill and set up a classroom, which Nick held another LOTE (Leadership on the Edge) session. Right in the middle of the lesson, as if it was planned, half of an iceberg collapses and falls into the sea. The size of this iceberg was huge!!! The iceberg rocks back and forth, deciding if it is going to tip over or not. We watch as the waves produced from this rock the boat so violently. That might be the most spectacular event I have witnessed besides the birth of my children. I could go on using so many adjectives to describe it and it will be a scene I will take to my grave.

At dinner, we arrive in Dorian Bay and get set to go camping. The teams are set and off we go. We hike up the hill and move into the area we are going to set up camp. Areas are scraped, tents are set up and everything was set up before dark. An area is set where everyone gathers and starts talking, telling stories. Peter arrives with a guitar, he is standing up playing one song after another and a small group standing beside him singing. His hands start to get too cold to play and hand warmers are passed around to keep everyone’s hands warm. Peter then went and sat inside his tent and played, while several of us stood outside singing the songs. At this point, it was definitely an early bird crowd and most people went into their tents and headlamps were turned out earlier than I expected.

Off to sleep, camping on a glacier in Antarctica…………..

A first for me through the night when I could not sleep due to someone other than me snoring so loud I could not sleep and they happen to be in the same tent with me. After breaking down the camp-site this morning, it was time to do a little golfing. Trond (known as Norwegian #2) helped me scrape the top layer of ice to get to a flat driving platform. I tee up a Brand New Maxfli Noodle Ice #1, orange in color. Peter took a GPS reading of exactly where I teed off from. I was able to use a standard wood tee and drive it into the ice. After getting everything set, I took several practice swings, took many poses for pictures and then did an interview with Kyle prior to hitting the ball. The team got into position and actually took a walking pole and hung a hat over it in the middle of an snow area in the middle of the rocks used as a penguin rookery. I got the go ahead, got everything all lined up and hit it. I had no idea where it went when it left the left. Fortunately, the team heard it hit the rocks and bounced back into the snow. I teed up another ball, this time a fluorescent yellow Pinnacle. I hit this one and again, had no idea where it went. This time, the team had no idea where it went either. So, I decide I am going to tee 1 more up and this was another yellow Pinnacle. This one was nailed, right in the sweet spot and a nice imprint of the ball in the center of the driver face to prove it. I was able to watch the ball travel instantly and it was headed dead at the made-up flag on the “ice” green. The ball landed in the snow and plugged instantly. The team immediately circled it and a GPS reading was taken. The ball landed approximately 8-10 yards short of the flag, dead on line. After I hit the 3rd ball, the team spent a little while trying to find the 2nd ball I hit with no luck and the search was called off.

So the GPS readings were given to Alan Brill to calculate. The calculations showed that the last ball I hit traveled 297 yards with no roll or bounce (GPS error is ±32 feet).

So with this experience, I had an incredible high and an incredible low. I full-filled my goal of hitting golf balls in Antarctica (although I wanted 300 yards I am happy with 297). Unfortunately, we could not find the 2nd one I hit and I definitely didn’t feel good about it.

We leave Dorian Bay and while standing outside and looking at the amazing sights of Lemaire Channel, I turn to see a huge splash. Immediately, the call over the intercom is Humpback whales breaching. The ship immediately slows and 2 whales put on a show for us. At one time, they both breached at the same time side-by-side. Whales breaching, an unbelievable and impossible thing for me to describe and put down in words what we saw. They were like the Energizer bunny, they kept doing it and doing it and doing it. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen – absolutely priceless!!!!

Another call about Humpback whales, get onto the deck!!! Oh, it’s just another pair playing around, flapping their flippers and showing their tails. Now am I spoiled as they are just flapping around and not breaching and I am disappointed.

The afternoon was spent cruising in the Zodiacs around the glacial icebergs in the channel and keeping eyes peeled for more whales, seals and penguins. We saw seals and Gentoo penguins but sadly there were no close encounters with whales. After spending more than hour in the Zodiacs in sub zero temperatures, we returned to the ship for an early dinner and preparations for the camping teams.

I told Robert I wanted to go on land when the camping team went to try to find the ball. I had 2 other volunteers, Alan (Akzo Nobel) and Howard and we became known as the golf ball extraction team #2, since the team (#1) this morning couldn’t find it. We landed with the camping team and the 3 of us set off to search for the lost ball. We had about an hour to search. After searching the rock area, Howard and I start walking about 3 to 4 feet apart along the snow/ice about 50 yards each pass. We work our way up the hill continuing to do this. After about 20 passes, and each pass getting more hopeless, I saw a hint of yellow buried in the snow. A kick with the boat and there it was. What a moment!!! The golf ball extraction team #2, yelled and high-fived each other. Pictures were taken and all 3 of us felt great!

We hiked up the hill and met up with Robert and Peter, who were getting set to leave to join up with the ship. The 3 of us left with Robert and Peter and made our way on the zodiac back to the ship. What an absolutely wide ride we had on our way back. The wind was up, the waves were white-capping and each of us was bouncing off the side of the zodiac, hanging on as we knew 1 slip and we could be in the water. Halfway back, in the middle of this rough ride, Robert looks at Peter and says, “what the heck are we doing in this”. It was a wild ride and one I am glad to have experienced.

The remainder of the team that did not camp gathered in the lounge and Robert made an announcement that the golf ball extraction team #2 was successful. Robert asked me if he could have the ball and the ball was presented to Virginie, who was very upset that it was not found earlier that morning. I was asked to sign it and Robert did as well.

After meeting with Robert, we hung out in the lounge until it was time to crash. I am going to bed extremely tired this evening……..