... twice walked on the frozen sea, navigated through the Lemaire Channel and Drygalski Fjord, kayaked surrounded by Caribbean blue icebergs, watched shipmates slide down a glacier at dusk and brave a polar plunge, toasted “The Boss” with scotch at his grave, and met with scientific researchers at Palmer and Lockroy stations. I hiked over snow, and glaciers, and tussock, and experienced over ninety zodiac rides. I observed over two million penguins, five species of seals, humpback and killer whales, thousands of albatross, giant petrels, cormorants, and even reindeer.

Aboard the Explorer, nature and serendipity set the schedule. If there were whales in the vicinity, we stayed with them. If there was a sighting of an emperor penguin on an ice floe, we headed in that direction. If the ship could navigate a landing that would both amaze and educate, it did. The Explorer brought us to landings where we wandered among the wildlife, and the wildlife drew near us with childlike curiosity and equal wonderment. At every step, there was a hand to help and an expert to teach. At every landing, we were instructed as to procedures we needed to follow to insure the safety and serenity of the animals that call these shores home; and while we explored on land, National Geographic divers explored the ocean floor, bringing back footage to share with us nightly at our wrap up. Each night we went to bed thinking the next day couldn’t possibly be better, and each day it was.

It has been said that you cannot “tell” anyone about Antarctica. You cannot show them pictures and have them understand. They are right. You have to experience Antarctica first hand, you have to live it. Once you do, it will be a part of you forever. I now understand why the explorers returned time after time. They returned because Antarctica is the most beautiful and pristine place on earth. I have traveled much, and if someone asked me the place I would want most to revisit, my immediate response would be Antarctica. I will forever be grateful to Lindblad and National Geographic for the opportunity to experience the grandeur of our planet’s last wilderness, for enlightening me as to how I can better protect our planet, and for helping me to follow in my heroes’ footsteps. I hoped this trip would be the trip of a lifetime. I did not expect it to so profoundly change my life. While I was saddened to end my “ farthest south” journey, I know now it was just the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and exploration. As Apsley Cherry-Garrard said, “ If you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical expression, go out and explore… If you march your winter journey, you will have your reward.”

Maureen Reschke (Maureen also shot the above photo)