March 6, 2025

What can I say?

This was the one continent that Chongae and I had not visited and now we are asking ourselves why we waited so long. The Antarctic is stunning and there is a reason for that.

Part of the beauty of Antarctica lies in its untouched pristineness. I’m well aware that tourists could potentially damage that. It was reassuring to find that tourism to Antarctica is highly regulated. Only one boat at a time is allowed to anchor at each location. Only a certain number of people can set foot on the land at a time. On land, you are allowed to only stand or walk. No sitting down, no kneeling, not even crouching to get a better camera angle (unless you are part of a certified camera group, think National Geographic), no placing backpacks or clothing on the snow. Boots and walking sticks are disinfected every time one gets in and out of the zodiac to prevent introduction of pests or non-native species. Penguins always have the right of way, no matter what! Guides are very conscientious about monitoring to make sure all rules are being adhered to.

This week in Antarctica we encountered weather ranging from moody mist to brilliant high contrast sunshine to down to the deck fog. Temperatures ranged from the mid-20s to the mid-30s, and photographic conditions varied widely. Here are some photos I was able to capture.

Of course, these photos do not do justice to what the eye can see. There is a calmness that overtakes you being surrounded by such beauty. I could not help to contemplate that perhaps I had spoiled myself for future destinations as I now had a reference point for what our planet was meant to look like.

There are the privileged few who actually get to live and work live in this little piece of heaven. The Palmer Station hosts a rotating group of American scientists who conduct ongoing research sometimes taking photos every hour to record the changing environment. The most desolate outpost that could be seen in the far distance was a Chilian station where only the bravest maintain residence. As we sailed closer, we could identity the Chilian flag.

We wondered what the motivation behind the Chilian government was in placing their research center where they did. Perhaps it had to do with the neighbors!

We discovered that the Chilian Research Station is part of a penguin colony and some of the most compelling research regarding penguins is developed by the dedicated Chilian scientists who call this spot home. How cool would it be that up close to penguins!

Chongae and I are about to find out. Tomorrow, weathering permitting, we will disembark our ship by tender to arrive in Stanley, Islas Malvinas. We have scheduled a guide to drive us three hours in a four-wheel drive over some really rough terrain to one of the largest penguin colonies in the world. I know I won’t get much sleep tonight dreaming about that adventure.

You may be surprised to learn that Thirdmill has been taught in Antarctica! Deployed to McMurdo Station, USAF reserve chaplain Rev. Marty Fields led a group through the Thirdmill series at the Chapel of the Snows in Antarctica. It was a wonderful opportunity to minister to and develop service men and women. This is a great example of how easy it is to offer Thirdmill almost anywhere!

I did take some video footage, but it is difficult to translate it to you with this blog format. Please do yourself a favor and watch The March of the Penguins narrated by Morgan Freeman. This Disney documentary is one of the most brilliant films I have ever seen. Chongae and I watched it last year in anticipation of this trip and Chongae is watching it a second time in our cabin as I finish this blog. It is a great family film or one for you to snuggle up and watch with your significant other with a warm cup of tea. Trust me, you will not be disappointed! Let me know what you thought of it.

Thanks for traveling with us.