#20 Antartica

Mar 8

A trip to Antarctica offers a dizzying array of highlights. Spectacular scenery, amazing wildlife, extraordinary history… a journey to the 'White Continent' will remind you just how special our planet is, and how important it is to protect this fragile environment.

An abundance of much more impressive wildlife can be found in the waters around Antarctica – including penguins, blue-eyed shags, seals, and whales. Most creatures in Antarctica survive due to the key species of this ecosystem – the Southern Ocean krill.

A 12-day trip to the Antarctic Peninsula with friends is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The journey began with a flight from South America to King George Island, where we boarded a small ship that would be our home for the next 12 days. Our trip to the Antarctic Peninsula was going to be a thrilling adventure that would include kayaking, a polar plunge, and wildlife sightings.

On the first day of the trip, we set sail towards the Gerlache Strait. As we made our way through the icy waters, we were greeted by numerous humpback whales breaching and tail slapping. We were thrilled to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

The next few days were spent kayaking in the icy waters, exploring the coastline, and hiking on the continent. We saw incredible scenery, from towering icebergs to vast glaciers, and were awed by the majesty of the landscape. We even had the opportunity to do a polar plunge, where we plunged into the freezing water and then warmed up in the hot tub on the ship.

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing penguins, seals, and whales up close. We kayaked past colonies of Adélie penguins, and we watched in awe as they waddled, jumped, and slid on the ice. We also saw numerous seals lounging on the ice, and we even witnessed a leopard seal hunting in the water. The ship's crew was always on the lookout for whales, and we were fortunate enough to see several species, including humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas.

On the seventh day, we set foot on the continent of Antarctica. It was surreal to be standing on a continent that few people have ever visited. We hiked across the snow and ice, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. We also had the chance to visit scientific research stations and learn about the work being done on the continent.

The remaining days of the trip were filled with more kayaking, wildlife sightings, and exploration. We kayaked in crystal clear waters, surrounded by icebergs and mountains, and we hiked to stunning viewpoints that offered breathtaking vistas of the landscape.

As the trip came to an end, we all agreed that it had been an incredible adventure. We experienced the beauty and wildness of the Antarctic Peninsula, saw incredible wildlife, and made memories that would last a lifetime. It was a journey that we would never forget.

Below are professional photos from some PHENOMENAL photographers on the trip. It’s pretty unique shooting for them and highly demanding because they want amazing image quality every time you go out, which is exciting for me, as the end recipient. They did more than capture a photo, they captures feelings, and I feel those every single time I look at these photos.