David

My childhood was spent living in southern England and travelling frequently between the UK and Buenos Aires, where my mother is from. This early exposure to Latin American culture gave me a real feel for the region and its people. My formal studies in Biology opened-up the incredible natural beauty South America and Antarctica had to offer and inspired me to travel and work in the region as a tour leader.

My travels have taken me to climb huge mountain peaks, search the Amazon for endemic orchid species, hike throughout the Andes, observe an eclipse on Easter Island, and seek-out giant tortoises on the Galapagos islands, as well as crossing the Drake Passage some 40 times. I return south frequently, made all the more enjoyable given my wife is Patagonian! 

Working as a tour guide for about seven years in Antarctica gave me the chance to experience this magical corner of the world throughout the whole of its summer season, and I was even able to head below the Antarctic Circle. The stark changes throughout the season never cease to amaze. Each time I arrived at the continent, it would feel like the first time.

The wonders of such a surreal landscape are completely mind-blowing. It remains my favourite place on earth, and I’m sure once you travel there, it will become yours too. Antarctica is not like travelling to another country, it’s like being on another planet. 

At Swoop I work closely with our partners all over the region to ensure that we know what the best activities for our guests are and develop new programs and itineraries for adventurers to enjoy. Creating new connections and forging long-lasting sustainable relationships between us and our friends in the region is the best way to serve them, us and of course our travellers.

I had always dreamt of experiencing Antarctica, its weather, its immensity, and travelling there on numerous occasions has afforded me this wonderful gift. For me, travelling in my father’s footsteps and hearing the same winds that he did, seeing the same mountains he did, is priceless. The continent’s unrivalled beauty and power, captivate, inspire and transform. Antarctica is not a destination, but the dreamiest dream you ever dreamt.

I look forward to returning as soon as possible, firstly to Buenos Aires and Patagonia to see friends and family, and then further south to the ends of the earth, walking in the footsteps of great explorers, and hopefully to show my little son the marvels of the Earth!