Antarctica: My Final Destination

Acting on a complete whim, which is my modus operandi, I booked a trip to Antarctica last night. I had been thinking that I would set my goal back to get to Antarctica until I was 30 years old, but last night decided that I couldn't wait that long. Instead, I'm now going in March 2007. My trend has been to buy trips for my birthday present to myself since I was 16. They started small like going to Dallas to go to the Galleria, or going skiing in Colorado for my 18th, Canada, 19th, Trip across the country, 20th, NYC, 21st, Mexico, 22nd, St. Barts, 23, South Africa 24th, Japan, 25th, Antarctica, 26th. These trips I guess are becoming a little more eccentric and most definitely more expensive.

This trip will be a little difficult in planning. I have a rule that I'm not allowed to repeat countries unless absolutely necessary. Having already been to Argentina, I'm thinking I have to go to Chile first and down to Ushuaia in Argentina this making my trip more complicated. The following list is the brief itinerary.

Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Embarkation on 'Explorer' begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia.
Day 2-3 Drake Passage
Our adventure begins with a 400-mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th-century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The 'Little Red Ship' is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean.
Day 4-7 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Experience some of the best wildlife viewing and scenery in the world as you set foot on the Antarctic continent. Take two excursions per day (conditions permitting), and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguin rookeries, Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals, and Orca, Humpback and Minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters.
Day 8-9 Drake Passage
Today we begin our journey north to our home port of Ushuaia. Review the highlights of our Antarctic experience with our lecturers and staff, and keep your eyes open on the observation deck for some final whale sightings.
Day 10 Depart Ushuaia
Our adventure comes to a close, as we say our goodbyes as we disembark in Ushuaia.