Antarctica: My Journey To The Frozen Continent

Swati Talwar

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

Author Recommends

(This blog chronicles the Memories Unlimited Vikram Gupta gathered on the International Antarctic Expedition in April 2013 sponsored by MakeMyTrip.com. We were starry eyed while he recounted his chilled out adventures!)

The only continent with no time zone, no government, no permanent residents except Emperor Penguins and with temperature below -14 C. Welcome to the white world of Antarctica.

While I waited with baited breath for the White Walkers to jump at me and skin me alive (the mind plays games in such extreme weather conditions), I couldn't help but be overwhelmed at the wonder that is Antarctica. Untouched, pristine and overwhelming.

I was part of the International Antarctic Expedition, an annual event organized by Robert Swan, the first person in history to have walked to both poles. Aptly named 2041, the year when the Antarctic Treaty is up for review, it hopes to create a global team of leaders who will protect the continent.

This is my Antarctica story in 11 pictures

Antarctica-Iceberg — *All members to the deck on Level 5. We have sighted an iceberg!.*

Antarctica-Zodiac — Zodiacs: special inflatable rubber boats, that can bear impact with ice and carry up to 10 passengers from the ship to the dock and back.Can you spot the Zodiac in the picture?

Antarctica-Trinity-Booth-Island — First landing on Trinity Island and Booth Island.

Antarctica-seals — Here humans are the outsiders (and rightly so!). Our presence is met with amusing behaviour from seals, penguins and sometimes even whales.

Antarctica-leopard-seal — A leopard seal, one of the many animals in Antarctica, following the Zodiac for 15 minutes, bobbing its head out every now and then to take a better look.

Antarctica-ice-water — Nothing above us but the sky, nothing ahead of us but miles of ice and water.

Antarctica-Emperor-Penguin — The Emperor Penguin. Did you know they have the longest uninterrupted incubation period of any bird, 64-67 days? Thankfully they were awake when we arrived!

Antarctica-Gentoo-Penguins — Gentoo Penguins, one of the most popular animals in Antarctica, have a unique and adorable mating ritual. The male Gentoo penguins search for days to find the smoothest, most perfect pebble to present to their intended companion. If she approves, it's placed in the nest and a love story begins.

Antarctica-Trinity-Church — The only place of worship on the continent, The Trinity Church.

Antarctica-weather-starry-night — The experience of staying in our tents in sub-zero Antarctica weather gave a new meaning to the phrase camping under the stars.

Comments

Georgewat | on 19 December 2018

Elton John is my favourite UK singer of the world.

Zharlesnog | on 10 May 2018 | edited

"" [url=] for sale[/url] 10 mg effectiveness you cannot delete your posts in this forum for sale - online sales display posts from previous and alcohol all times are utc

TyzonFromi | on 09 May 2018 | edited

10mg or 20mg legend [url=] without a doctor prescription[/url] 5mg works it is currently without a doctor prescription - online canada how hard are you with 5mg daily

cocaporn | on 11 April 2018

Excellent and high-quality [url=]videos[/url] absolutely free and easy to watch on any device, just check it out!

Mustafa Calcuttawala | on 22 March 2018

I am planning for Antarctica trip. I want to know the expense for one person from India