Antarctica reached – Speechless & Emotional

Reflecting back on a life in tourism, from my early days guiding rail traffic in tiny Swiss stations, my early 30s TransAmerican VW Vanagon days, to the past extraordinary 6 years at Direct Travel, one place stood unwaveringinfly at the top of my aspirational list – Antarctica.

I admit that I have not yet emotionally processed that I actually made it happen. In evidence, this morning’s 4:30am zodiac cruise along the Danger Islands located at the very tip of the Antarctic peninsula. Throughout the fast-passing 90 minute zodiac, I welled up with tears at the sight of Adelie penguins going about their lives.

Same story on the afternoon outing that took us through drift ice to an iceberg I can only call “Notre Dame” in its nature-made grandeur. Nature imitates art in the most splendid way.

Emotions continue at every sight of penguins. These amazingly busy creatures are adorable to observe and their ignorance is bliss attitude toward life is refreshing. Nature’s circle of life at its core, penguins are the primary food source for leopard seals 🦭 and Orcas. The mantra of safety in numbers must have come from this species as you never see one alone.

Watching them “squirt” out of the water (see video above) is an ever fascinating experience. these are just a few of other endless surprises nature reveals in this never dark Antarctic summer. All I can conclude is that my emotions feel so raw because this place is raw itself. Words truly can’t describe it, you must come down here and live it for yourself. It is the ultimate adventure worth taking!