Scenes From Antarctica

It was repeatedly stated during the tour when people back home asked what Antarctica is like, finding an answer would be tough. Indeed; I have realized trying to find the words to describe Antarctica is a hopeless task; no words can do the South Pole justice. 

So I have decided to not attempt it. Instead, below is a visual tour of the islands and a small spot on the Antarctic peninsula that were visited. 

To clarify, I am horrible with dates and the names of locations. So unfortunately, I don't have an clear memory of what day we went where. These photos are most certainly out of chronological order and a few of them vague on the location's names. For that, I apologize. 

While Antartica defies description; I would say to fulfill a more than 20 year old wish to visit this continent and to share this experience with my parents makes me feel completely whole. The three of us exploring this remote corner of the world filled me up with wonder and pride. 

Ushuaia. Before boarding the ship, we took a walk up to a catamaran for a little cruise around a bay.

A scene of the bay from the catamaran.

Me before boarding the Orion.

My father and I checking things out as the ship pulls away from the pier in Ushuaia. 

Half Moon Bay. It is the first stop on our trip.

Chin strap penguin at Half Moon Bay. A Naturalist on the cruise proclaimed Chin strap penguins were her favorite, saying, "They're so feisty!"

Penguins are excellent to observe. I loved the way they walked; with their flippers extended behind them . They  looked like they were wearing ill-fitting tuxedo jackets.

Gentoo penguins at Cuverville Island.

Icebergs show a wide range of blue shades. They can be tinged with aquamarine  streaks or a deep, deep royal blue.

When we departed the zodiacs, we would shed our orange life jackets into plastic bins.

Elephant seals on Jenny Island. My favorite animal we spotted on this trip. These  guys were beasts. They lounged on the beach like giant sacks of burlap. One of them snored; it sounded like a giant glug of water being sucked down a drain.

Hiking across a sheet of sea ice.

My folks. Excellent traveling companions

Me after taking a dip in the Antarctic waters. It was as every bit of freezing, bone chilling cold as you could imagine it to be.