Land of Dreams - Antarctic exploration

Some say that Antarctica is a lifelong dream, some say it is the ultimate destination for travelers, and some say it is a must-visit place in one's lifetime. This time, I finally arrived at the place of my dreams! Each iceberg and floating ice, sculpted by the wind and water, offers a visual spectacle that is beyond human reach. During the expedition, it felt like entering a gigantic blue ice museum, where every piece is a unique artwork shaped by nature.

Antarctic exploration is mostly done through pre-planned cruise itineraries. Reflecting on this trip, I provide some simple memories for friends who also aspire to visit Antarctica in the future. The country has opened up, so come to Antarctica next winter and experience the summer!

✨Encounter with Penguins:
The most anticipated part of the journey to Antarctica is being able to get up close with penguins. From November to December, you can witness penguin mating and male penguins incubating eggs. From December to January, you can observe baby penguins hatching and skuas stealing eggs. From January to February, you can see the feeding of the chicks and molting. Although the Antarctic Treaty requires maintaining a distance of 5 meters from penguins, there were little penguins that ran towards me.

✨Zodiac Cruising:
When landing on the Antarctic continent, riding in a zodiac, an eight-person inflatable boat, allows for navigating between glaciers at a close distance. During a break from the cruise, I scooped up a small piece of floating ice and kept it in my pocket. Later, when back on the cruise, I put a glass of drink into it to taste the millennia-old ice of Antarctica.

✨Polar Plunge:
The temperature is usually around 0 degrees Celsius. To ensure safety, a rope is tied to me before jumping into the water. After a short period, I was pulled back onto the ship. The moment on the shore was the coldest, but the staff immediately wrapped a bathrobe around me and handed me spicy rum. With one sip, warmth instantly spread through me. Even an elderly lady with white hair on the ship also took the plunge. While waiting in line, everyone encouraged each other with the phrase "Today is the youngest you'll ever be again."

✨Paddling:
People can stand or sit on the paddle board. Similar to the zodiac, but the paddle board allows for manual control. Being closer to the sea surface, at the beginning of the season, I could paddle around the broken ice.

✨On-ship Activities:
On the South Antarctic cruise, there are various entertainment facilities on board, including but not limited to hot springs, saunas, swimming pools, lectures, tea rooms, bars, and lounges. Soaking in a hot spring, enjoying the view of distant mountains and nearby floating ice while sipping ice-cold cola, it was truly enjoyable.

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