Antarctica is a land of superlatives: the coldest, driest, highest and most remote continent on Earth. Arctic are has no land mass. Thick ice floats on sea. Antarctica has land mass surrounded by sea. Why I wanted to visit Antarctica? I guess I wanted to say that I’ve been to all seven continents. I’ve always felt that in order to be taken seriously as a world traveller I needed to do it.

We boarded the Le Boreal from Ushuaia sailing towards Falkland islands through Drake passage. People had severe motion sickness due to the rough sea. Spent some time in the capital Stanley and following day sailed passing Shag rocks going to South Georgia. All around we saw mounts of ice and icebergs. Lots of penguins and sea lions.

South Georgia is a remote island with rugged mountainous glaciers. A large colony of king penguins stretch as far as the eye can see. The place is full of elephant seals, penguins, albatross and many other birds are everywhere. The penguins were not scared of us and it was a scene which cannot be explained. One has to experience it.

Grytviken is a former whaling station and visited Shackelton’s grave. Spent Christmas in the church.

Started sailing towards Antarctic Peninsula. Visited Argentine Antarctic research station the Base Orcadas and also a Chinese research station.

Antarctic peninsula has multiple islands. Visited South Shetland islands and Deception island. We had a soak in the thermal waters in Deception island.