What Destinations are on Your Bucket List?

Dr. John MacIndoe, an endocrinologist at Hudson Hospital Specialty Clinics and his wife recently went on “the trip of a lifetime” to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

That trip took them to the South Pole and back in mid-December—when it’s summer in the Antarctic and temperatures range from 20 – 30 degrees.

“It was on our bucket list,” MacIndoe said. “Every day was a new experience, from extraordinary glaciers, blue ice, to many sea-bearing creatures like hump-back whales, seals, sea lions, penguins, and a variety of bird species.”

The couple set sail on a state-of-the art, ice-breaker Norwegian cruise ship—led by Lindblad Expeditions—along with 150 other passengers, many of whom were physicians, professors and naturalists who shared information and expertise along the way.

The MacIndoe’s travelled through Argentina to the southernmost town in the world, Ushuaia.

The trek took about a day and a half each way, and they spent 7 days touring the continent.

The ship docked in sea ice for tours, and Zodiac boats offered tours of various areas on land.

The days were also filled with presentations about climate change, sea animal life and geological facts about the ocean, glaciers and land in this far away region. A 10-hour continuing medical education course was offered for physicians with topics like wilderness medicine, reviewing best practices and preparation for trips, what medical kits should contain and how to deal with frostbite and hypothermia.

“I was most impressed with the beauty and enormity of the area, quiet solitude and unpredictability of nature,” MacIndoe said.

What trips are on your bucket list? Is it a expedition to the Antarctic, or an exotic adventure of the above-freezing variety? Tell us in the comments, and post photos of the trips you've crossed off the list.