We have had the unique  opportunity to spend 4 days in Antarctica. The name Antarctic comes from ‘ant’ meaning opposite in Greek. The name Arctic is from the Bear star sign that is seen in the night sky in the Northern  hemisphere. In Antarctica there are no bears hence Antarctic.

What we  have learnt is that each research base has a different time zone. Since we came down from Argentina we are using Argentinian time. Even though there is no sun in the darkest time of winter, you can still see the night sky and the moon. The sun will set on 20 March 2020 and only come back on 23 September 2020. There are many research stations who are mostly manned in the summer months. In the summer of 2013 Mettalica, a hard metal rock band wanted to play on all 7 continents.So they also played in Antarctica to about 100 researchers. In order not to harm the penguins with the noise it was in the form of a silent disco – (where everyone wears headphones to listen to the music).

On our first day here we landed on Danco Island  where we were able to walk near  the Gentoo penguin rookery. Just two months ago this area was covered in snow  and now since the snow has melted the penguins can build their nests and settle down to hatch their young. In a good year they can hatch two chicks but it is not always possible. We were told  that penguins drink fresh water (from melted snow) as well as sea water. They have special renal systems that can get rid of the salt from sea water.

We have seen humpback  whales who can grow to 18m long.  When you see the “blow” of a whale it is the air inside their lungs and what you are actually seeing is the condensation. The second day  we went out in the zodiacs around Paradise Bay without landing. We saw  a raft of penguins on an iceberg. Just out of the brochure  of what to expect when visiting Antarctica!  Maybe someone you know has on their bucket list to run the Antarctica ice marathon which is held every March.

Our cruise ship may not go further than 65 degrees south as there is a problem with ice bergs. In fact, a question asked of the Captain at a briefing earlier was why we felt like we are drifting and he answered “yes” – we cannot put down anchor because of the dangers of ice bergs and the ship also cannot use the stabilizers to balance the ship for the same reason. “So we are drifting in line with the wind”. Apparently everywhere that we have been in Antarctica is covered over by ice in winter.

The 60 Nations who are part of the Antarctica Treaty System (ATS) have agreed that it is a continent which can be used for peaceful  purposes  only. It is the only continent without a native population.

We also went to Half Moon Island where we saw Chinstrap penguins and an old wooden boat from the whaling times about 100 years ago.

We realise that we are indeed privileged to have had a chance to visit this remote continent at the southern end of the world. And to have become ambassadors of this very special place.

Written by Sheryl