Exploring Antarctica

Nowhere on Earth does it compare to Antarctica.

It is an intact frozen land that has hardly been touched by civilization.

The human race is just a visitor from the seventh continent.

Several countries have established temporary research stations there, trying to reclaim this virgin land, as intrepid travelers journey through the Drake Pass from Argentina in expedition ships ready to explore the last frontier of their journey around the world.

Antarctica is a vast land of ice and snow, and visitors marvel at its massive ice shelves, active glaciers, and floating icebergs larger than skyscrapers.

One might think that there is nothing to see or do in Antarctica other than gazing at the endless expanse of water and ice. But the place is teeming with wildlife that is not afraid of human contact.

Whales emerge within arm's reach of your boat.

The penguins swing to peck at your jacket and greet you.

Seals sunbathe on ice floes, with hardly a second glance.

Petrels fly high, looking for food in the ocean.

Go on an expedition to Antarctica and you will also find unforgettable landscapes.

Gerlache's fastball is so inspiring that photographers named it Fuji Funnel and Kodak Channel.

At the Pleneau Bay Iceberg Cemetery, giant chunks of ancient ice ran aground and created extraordinary formations due to rippling and erosion.

You could spend a week just cruising along the coast looking at the ice and the scenery, but there is so much to do in Antarctica that you have never thought of before.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Why You Need to Travel to Antarctica

Source: MojoTravels

Camping

Did you know that you can camp in Antarctica? Few people visit Antarctica, to begin with, but even fewer can claim to have camped there.

We slept in bivouac bags under the full moon while listening to a Weddell seal chirping and snoring on the nearby shore.

It was cold and uncomfortable, but camping in Antarctica gives the avid traveler the right to brag

Kayaking

In the water, the most spectacular way to explore is by kayak; it was one of the most exciting and peaceful adventures we have ever done.

The blast of paddling through fast, dense ice and spinning icebergs as penguins leaped onto the bow of our boat was exhilarating.

At the same time, paddling in silence, hearing nothing but the crunch of the ice, as we approached the sleeping seals in huge streams of ice, it was very peaceful.

Because you are paddling quietly, without the noise of an engine, the wildlife remains intact and you can get even closer to them than in a speedboat.

As our guide, Val said, "I can't imagine seeing Antarctica any other way."

Zodiac Tour

Encounters with wildlife in Antarctica are extraordinary.

Our Quark Expeditions trip offered daily zodiac excursions to explore islands and ice but also gave us the opportunity to float closer to the sunbathing seals and let the whales come in for a closer look.

Seeing whales from the boat was exciting, but watching them swim under the zodiac and come to the surface a few feet away was extraordinary.

Whales have not been hunted in Antarctica since the 1970s; Experts believe this is one of the reasons why animals in the region have little to no fear of humans.

This is one of the factors that make Antarctica the perfect place to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Island of deception

Although Antarctic whales are healthy today, they were hunted to near extinction in the early 1900s, and remnants from that dark age still dot the shoreline.

While visiting Deception Island, we explore an abandoned whaling station.

Large rotting boilers and barrels still exist on the beach where whales were killed for the oil in their blubber.

As you walk along the coast, you see whale bones scattered on the sand.

It is a powerful reminder of how destructive the human race can be.

Port Lockroy

Another worthwhile land excursion is a visit to the British Research Station at Port Lockroy.

Here you can examine the museum to see what life was like for the first explorers.

There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs from Antarctica and send postcards to your loved ones from the only post office on the continent.

Outside, you can explore the buildings as the penguins run from place to place.

Penguins

Speaking of penguins, Antarctica has millions of them. You will see them wherever you go and you will never get tired of finding the cute tuxedos dressed.

It's important to note that you need to stay at least 25 feet from the penguins, and you may never block their busy paths that lead to the sea.

But if you stand still and watch them from a safe distance, they may come up to you to greet you.

It is perfectly acceptable for a penguin to approach you as long as you do not touch it.

They can step on it if they want to, but you should never disturb their lives.

We had so many curious penguins approaching us, it was as if they were talking to us and welcoming us to their land.

And we appreciate every opportunity.

Polar plunge

For true adventurers, a dip in the icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula is a must; something you will remember forever.

The water is 31.5 degrees Fahrenheit! While diving from our ship, the Sea Spirit, we jumped from the stern of the ship into the middle of an icy bay.

The cruise company tied up two explorers to make sure we were safe, and a zodiac was parked 30 feet from our dive site for those of us who dared to swim to it.

Dave managed to swim the entire distance; I jumped out of the water almost as fast as I did (spent minimal time in the water to get the jersey).

As painful as it was, I am so glad I did. I would have regretted not doing this for the rest of my life.

Now when it comes to Antarctica, Dave and I can say, "We came, we saw, and we literally took the t-shirt."

There are so many adventures to experience in Antarctica.

It is much more than an ice and water cruise; it is a continent full of life and adventure.

As traveling to the South Pole becomes more accessible each year, more people will go there.

If you do come, be sure to add one of these adventures to your expedition and make your already unforgettable experience even better.

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