Antarctica

This truly was the trip of a lifetime for me and if I could go back again, I would in a heartbeat. There are few places in the world I would visit more than once, as I want to see so much of it, but there is something about Antarctica that is mesmerising.

From the artist, to the explorer, to the animal lover and the general holiday maker, Antarctica is the one place where I can imagine every style of traveller would be happy. This part of the world is like no other and I can understand while the pioneering explorers of Scott and Shackleton felt compelled to risk their lives in this white wilderness.

Nature’s sculpture of the immense icebergs is stunning and I never tired of seeing them grace by. From seeing a ‘cute’ seal open its huge jaw and show those teeth, to flip of those whale tails in the ocean, the wildlife is incredible in this vast environment. The penguins steal the show and being there when eggs and chicks were around was wonderful.

On Christmas day, when the ship ground to a halt in the sea ice, you begin to realise how this continent could have no mercy if it chose to. Stepping foot on the actual continent of Antarctica is something I am so lucky to have done and taking the ‘Polar Plunge’ in those icy waters in just my underwear (I did feel foolish & grumpy that I didn’t have my swimwear before I went in) is a memory that makes me laugh every time I see that thermal cove.

I was given some advice from a researcher based in Antarctica before our trip and I whole-heartedly pass it on, not just for visiting Antarctica, but on any travels. Make sure you put your camera down every now and again and simply take it in. I love to have those ‘loner’ moments on our travels, be it early in the morning, or at any other time, when I sit on my own and just look and feel and think about where I am – and I usually pinch myself at that point, that I am that fortunate. Remember to live your travels, rather than just viewing it through a lens. Trust me, when you get back and you look at the photos you did take, in years to come, the emotions and memories are so much more real. Gives me goosebumps just to think of some of my trips that way.

Lots more images can be viewed, as created for my own travel books, on my purchasing gallery.

Watch my mini Super8 video clip to see the penguins in action Cuverville Island

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  • Barbara20th January 2017 - 3:00 pm

    Joanne, such incredible images, next time you go can I come too please! I smiled at the bit where you shared the advice to put down the camera and take it all in. There are days when I fight with myself about whether to take a camera or not to different events. I want to record the day, but then I worry that in the process of recording I miss the heart and soul of the event.
    Just beautiful, a welcome break and a feast for the eyes xxReplyCancel

    • Joanne Withers20th January 2017 - 4:18 pm

      Thanks for such a lovely comment and yes it’s hard these days to be in the moment isn’t it, especially when you also want a print in years to come to look back on.ReplyCancel

  • […] are so many images I could choose from my trip to Antarctica and you can view them here on the blog. The one that makes me remember that I was actually in one of the most remote parts of the world, […]ReplyCancel

  • Jessica28th January 2015 - 9:30 am

    WOW great images, we always wanted to go here and these images definetily gave us some inspiration.. We put you on our dream destination inspiration list 😉 http://twoworldsonelife.com/where-to-next/ReplyCancel

  • Andy Stuart-Hill27th January 2015 - 2:35 am

    Joanne – My compliments – quality photography. (Leopard seal after kill and Gentoo reflection being exceptional pictures)
    I was on same adventures MS Explorer Dec.2013 so can appreciate your photographic “eye”. Wishing you well on your travel and photographic career. After visiting and photographing 132 countries on all 7 continents now at bottom of my bucket list.
    Two suggestions – try and visit all the world’s deserts(*) (spectacular photographic opportunities), as I have, and enjoy your youth by visiting and photographing every possible country. Happy trails.
    . Andy Stuart-Hill. Rocky Mountains. Canada (*) The Antarctic is considered a ‘desert” owing to low precipitationReplyCancel

    • Joanne Withers27th January 2015 - 10:06 am

      What fabulous images and stories you must have Andy. Thanks for the lovely comment.ReplyCancel

  • Nichola Morton15th December 2014 - 8:41 pm

    Absolutely SPECTACULAR! My god, I am wowed! These are National Geographic worthy! I would definitely look into getting your work published!

    Fantastic collection, I would love to see them all in a larger size, my eyes were lapping it up!

    Bravo!ReplyCancel

    • Joanne Withers13th January 2015 - 12:29 pm

      Nichola, that is such a fabulous comment to read. Thank you so much. It was amazing to photograph xReplyCancel

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