curious appeal of antarctica
Always wondered it’s really like in Antarctica? It’s wild and windswept, but far from being a wasteland. It is a destination for the most intrepid of souls and Vicky Marin rates it as one of her most amazing adventures…
“Antarctica to me was always a dream destination and I finally had a chance to see the dream up close and personal. One of my favourite memories was when we visited a rookery of Gentoo penguins. This particular breed of penguin is quite sociable. One curious bird approached me and nibbled at my boots and pants. I smiled and snapped a few close-ups of my new friend.
My other experiences in Antarctica were equally wonderful. Seeing humpback whales from a zodiac was incredible. Anxiously watching a leopard seal as it menacingly circled our zodiac sped up all of our hearts. Walking the beaches at the various landing sites was always an adventure. There were Weddell, fur, and elephant seals. Flying above we saw skuas, petrels and many other birds. The Macaroni, Chinstrap, and Adelie penguins were beautiful as they stood and molted. From the ship, I relished the site of penguins and dolphins jumping as they swam through the water.
All these experiences will remain a part of me forever, but the thing that I will remember most is just the sheer natural beauty of Antarctica. The way the sun hits the ice, sea, and mountains creates a pristine beauty that is found only at the southern tip of our planet.”
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* photo by Nick Jacobs – Intrepid Photography Competition
