Summary
Following the extensive preparations made to reach Antarctica (as discussed in our prior article), we had finally arrived. Here we were, in Antarctica!
It took a moment for the situation to fully register.
Having desired to make this trip for over a decade, the elaborate planning had culminated in this pivotal moment—standing in Antarctica.
Upon waking in the middle of the night for a restroom visit, I reminded myself to take it easy, yet those intentions evaporated the instant we opened the window.
We were greeted by an awe-inspiring view of icebergs surrounding us.
Needless to say, caffeine was unnecessary that morning. Although the sun was not shining, the overcast conditions only enhanced the dramatic ambiance.
Moreover, wildlife sightings became increasingly prevalent now that we found ourselves in Antarctica.
We encountered numerous penguins, an abundance of seals lounging on floating ice, and the occasional whale sighting in the distance.
We were nearly bursting with excitement all morning, and then the captain decided to elevate the stakes.
It turns out one can reach Antarctica without crossing the Antarctic Circle.
The Antarctic Circle is located further south than most vessels can safely navigate due to concentrated sea ice.
As one would expect, the proximity to the South Pole correlates with an increase in the density of the surrounding sea ice.
The Ocean Victory ship utilized for our journey to Antarctica is meticulously engineered to navigate through these icy waters.
Nevertheless, the thickness of the ice on our intended route to the Antarctic Circle proves insurmountable for the majority of vessels. As a result, many do not attempt the journey.
Our captain, however, determined that the weather presented favorable conditions, and the ice did not appear overly formidable; thus, we would alter our itinerary to push much further south into the Antarctic Circle.
Should we delay by several days, the weather might shift or the ice would become increasingly dense, necessitating prompt action to capitalize on the current conditions.
Ultimately, the captain’s judgment was accurate, as we became the first voyage of the season to reach the Antarctic Circle!
Cheers erupted all around, and champagne flowed freely in acknowledgment of this momentous occasion.
This accomplishment was a milestone I hadn’t anticipated prior to this journey, and it was truly extraordinary! Haha!
Honestly, being in Antarctica itself is a monumental achievement, regardless of the cherry on top provided by sailing into the Antarctic Circle.
This day was incredible and served as a splendid initiation to our expedition.
Furthermore, we could now proudly assert that we have visited both the Arctic Circle (during our trip to Norway a few years back) and the Antarctic Circle.
We spent the remainder of the day absolutely enchanted by the breathtaking views surrounding us.
We observed humpback whales, leopard seals, Weddell seals, and Adélie penguins (which are less common than Gentoo or chinstrap penguins), alongside some remarkably massive icebergs.
Subsequently, the head of our expedition team provided an unexpected announcement, indicating that we would be embarking on our initial zodiac expedition in Antarctica.
I did not anticipate that my excitement could heighten even further, yet it became apparent that such an increase was wholly achievable.
It is important to remember that plans in Antarctica are subject to modification based on weather conditions.
Thus, having optimal weather for our zodiac boat tour was particularly significant, especially since it was not a predetermined part of the day’s agenda.
At this point, the waters were notably calm.
This tranquility was sufficient that we opted not to take seasickness medication, which often induces drowsiness—something we aimed to avoid unless absolutely necessary.
Nevertheless, later that evening, I did take one prior to bedtime, reasoning that any resulting drowsiness would be negligible and would assist in preventing seasickness during nighttime sailing.
This turned out to be a wise choice, as I learned a few days later when I neglected to take the medication and began to experience seasickness while navigating around Antarctica.
Soon after, we were summoned to the mud room to prepare for the zodiac boats, donning our gear and life jackets.
A decontamination process was necessary for our regular clothes prior to boarding, designed to prevent the introduction of contaminants to this pristine environment.
This procedure is primarily aimed at older clothing and footwear.
There is a significant concern regarding the introduction of invasive species to Antarctica, hence the meticulous decontamination process both before and after boarding the boats.
The cleaning process involves vacuuming our clothing prior to heading for the boats.
The zodiac boat cruise proved to be remarkable.
From a distance, one can appreciate the enormity of the icebergs, but being in proximity is an entirely different experience.
The vast dimensions of these icebergs are truly astonishing, matched only by their extraordinary hues.
You encounter a blue shade that is unparalleled and will remain etched in your memory long after.
This is how we spent our inaugural day in Antarctica.
Our evening concluded with a delightful dinner and wine beneath the Antarctic midnight sun, which, although obscured by clouds, never truly set, illuminating the landscape throughout the entire night.
Keep an eye out for the forthcoming blog post when we finally set foot on land in Antarctica.
Arriving On Land In Antarctica
