White Dreamscape
What's it like to go to the ends of the Earth? It's unlike any other place in the world, and it's special. Very, truly, special. If you asked most people, they probably would have no real interest in visiting Antarctica even. They have no idea what they're missing out on. But if you've been looking through my photos of the White Continent, you will know, there is oh so much to be seen!
Sometimes I reflect and realize, just how lucky I've been to travel to the places I've gone. Sure, I've made some sacrifices along the way to prioritize my travels as such (do I want a couch or another vacation?), but then I continue to buy into the notion that happiness is derived more from memorable experiences than it is possessions. There is so much to remember about the beauty of Antarctica. It is an experience I dearly want to have again, but no matter what, I will remember it for the rest of my life.
The famed British explorer, Captain James Cook was the first to sail a ship across the Antarctic Circle on January 17th, 1773. This is absolutely mind boggling to me that such a voyage could have even been made over 200 years ago. In comparison I traveled in the relative comfort and safety of the ice-strengthened hull aboard the Akademik Ioffe, which was built in 1989.
So, what is it like to cross the Antarctic circle? Like age, it's just another number. While technically not a fixed line, it's roughly at a latitude of 66°33′46" south of the Equator. Crossing that line is still a milestone few will ever have, but more importantly, the landscape is just so different.
As a whole, the landscape of the continent is quite different to begin with. Waking up, early in the morning to be surrounded by sea ice and gigantic icebergs bigger than homes. It's to awake in a world where film and photos do it no justice. The sense of awe to nature's whims doesn't cease. An ever-changing landscape that continues to reveal herself to you as you travel. It is the wonder and mystery of a continent that exhausts all superlatives about it. May dreams never die, and travels never end.
