Expedition Blog – Precious Tupou, Antarctic Peninsula 2026
It was a normal day at school until my teacher suggested I apply for the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to the Antarctic Peninsula onboard a historic tall ship. I felt a little bit of hesitation about wanting to apply, but knew deeply if I did go, it would be an experience of a lifetime.
My first reason for applying was pretty simple: I just wanted to go to Antarctica. That was it.
No deep thinking. No research. No real understanding of what I was actually signing up for.
I didn’t know what the Drake Passage was.
I didn’t know what sailing on a tall ship involved.
I just thought, “I’d get to go to Antarctica.”
Looking back now, this was a very confident decision based on absolutely no information.
But as things started becoming more real, I began realising what I had actually signed up for: sailing on a tall ship in the roughest seas in the world and being away from my family for an entire month.
And I remember thinking: What have I got myself into? I was so nervous.
There were definitely moments when I questioned why I was applying in the first place? But at the same time, I didn’t want to look back one day and realise I had let fear stop me from experiencing something extraordinary.
As I got closer to completing the application process and interviews, my reasons for wanting to be part of the expedition became a lot deeper. It stopped being just about seeing Antarctica and started becoming about challenging myself, gaining perspective, and figuring out the kind of life I want for myself and the people around me.
So, I kept going.
And then I got accepted, which is something I definitely could not have done alone. My family, friends and teachers supported me so much throughout the application process and the days leading up to the expedition, especially during the moments where I doubted myself. There were times where I genuinely questioned whether I was capable of something like this, but they continued believing in me even when my own confidence was shaky. Looking back now, I’m incredibly grateful they encouraged me to keep pushing through those doubts.
Before leaving, I thought the expedition would mostly be about adventure. I expected incredible scenery, difficult conditions, and unforgettable experiences. And while all of those things were true, what surprised me most was how deeply the experience impacted me personally.
Crossing the Drake Passage was definitely one of the moments where everything suddenly felt very real. Hearing stories about the roughest seas in the world is one thing. Actually experiencing them is something completely different. There were moments where I felt exhausted, uncomfortable, and completely outside of anything familiar.
The ship is constantly moving. Not just small rocking, but full rolling and lifting with the waves. I never thought I’d miss being on land so much as I did on the ship. Walking became a challenge. Something as simple as carrying a cup of tea or getting changed (I hated getting changed in and out of our wet weather gear) required full concentration and having to time yourself with the waves swaying the boat side to side to get from one place to another.
On a tall ship like the Bark EUROPA, I felt connected to the ocean in a way you never would on a normal cruise ship. My favourite place on the ship was the bow, where we had to lookout for anything of interest in the water such as ships, buoys, icebergs or wildlife and communicate it back to the officer on watch. Hearing the wind in the sails, feeling the cold air brushing against my face, and watching huge waves moving around the ship in every direction it felt cold and intimidating, yet gave me a sense of calmness.
But those moments ended up teaching me the most.
Another thing I will carry with me is perspective. Standing in Antarctica, I never want to forget the feeling of being in a place that feels so untouched and powerful. It made me reflect on my life differently, reminding me how big the world is and how much there still is to learn, experience, and appreciate.
Some of my favourite moments were standing on the deck in silence; looking out across the ocean; having conversations with people from all over the world; playing cards in the deckhouse; spotting whales from the deck and watching albatrosses glide effortlessly beside the ship; seeing icebergs; standing outside at night surrounded by nothing but ocean and the sky, watching the penguin highways, seeing seals and so much more.
Being completely removed from everyday life gave me a whole new different perspective on things. Growing up I have always been surrounded by family, which was all I knew. Back home, life can feel very repetitive and fast-paced. There is always something demanding your attention, school, work, responsibilities, future plans. But out there, surrounded by nothing but ocean, ice, and people experiencing the same challenges as you, everything feels different.
The expedition forced me to slow down and be present in a way I don’t think I had experienced before.
One of the most powerful parts of the journey was the people. Everyone came from different backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life, yet somehow, we all connected through the shared experience of being pushed outside our comfort zones together. In such a short amount of time, strangers became friends. Learning about other people’s lives and how they view it has been such an eye-opening lesson of other people’s perspectives of life.
The expedition was, without a doubt, one of the most unique and impactful experiences I have ever had.
The physical side of the expedition was, of course, demanding at times. But what stood out more was the mental resilience it required. It’s one thing to keep going when things are comfortable, it’s another when you’re tired, unsure, or out of your depth. In those moments, I learned a lot about persistence, not in a dramatic sense, but in the quieter decision to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Since coming home, I’ve realised the expedition changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It gave me more confidence in myself, but it also gave me a clearer understanding of the type of person I want to become. I want to continue saying yes to opportunities that challenge me, even when they scare me. I want to approach life with more curiosity, openness, and courage instead of letting fear make decisions for me. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the value of perspective both my own and that of others.
The expedition also reinforced the importance of gratitude. It’s easy to overlook the support systems and opportunities we have until we step outside of our usual environment. Being part of this experience made me more aware of the people and organisations which make opportunities like this possible.
A special thank you to the Antarctic Heritage Trust and the Inspiring Explorers™ programme for making this opportunity possible. Experiences like this don’t just happen, they are created through vision, effort, and a commitment to giving people the chance to grow. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have been part of this expedition and the wider Inspiring Explorers™ programme. Opportunities like this are truly life-changing, and I know not many people get the chance to experience something like this.
A huge thank you also to the organisers, crew, mentors, and everyone involved in making this expedition possible. Thank you for believing in young people and creating opportunities that push us to grow in ways we never expected.
If there’s one thing I’ll take away from this expedition, it’s the understanding that growth often comes from stepping into the unknown. It’s not always comfortable, and it’s rarely straightforward, but it’s where the most meaningful experiences tend to happen. And for that, I’m grateful.
Thank you to our generous Inspiring Explorers™ Fund donors, expedition partner Spirit of Adventure Trust, sponsor Burnsco, and supporter Bark Europa.
