Antartica
Stunning photos that will make you want to travel to Antarctica
By Talia Lakritz, INSIDER From Business Insider
The INSIDER Summary:
• Photographer Karen Jacot always dreamed of visiting Antarctica.
• When she finally made it there, she was in awe of the wildlife and natural beauty.
• Now it doesn’t feel so far away, and she hopes to go back.
Some people dream of tropical vacations spent lounging on warm, sunny beaches. Photographer Karen Jacot’s dream destination was a bit different.
She’s not sure what first piqued her interest in the most remote continent on the planet, but she longed to visit Antarctica.
When she did finally reach its icy shores, she braved the freezing temperatures to explore historic sites, play with penguins, and stand in awe of its natural beauty.
Karen Jacot isn’t sure how her obsession with Antarctica began, but she’s wanted to visit for as long as she can remember.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“It’s one of those things that I just thought, ‘Someday, I’m going to go,'” she said.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
Her trip began in Ushuaia, Argentina, where she boarded a ship with Quark Tours along with her uncle and husband.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
The ship wasn’t a luxury cruise liner, but it was comfortable and sturdy enough to break through chunks of ice in the world’s roughest waters.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
It took two days to cross the Drake Passage into the Antarctic Circle, during which she learned about the history of Antarctica and chatted with other passengers.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“For most people it was their seventh continent,” she said. “Everyone had been all over the place, so it was really fun to talk to people who had been to all sorts of amazing places.”
Courtesy Karen Jacot
She kept seasickness at bay with a prescription of Phenergan, which worked like a charm.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
When the ship crossed the Antarctic Circle, everyone stood outside on the front deck and cheered.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“It was clear skies, it was sunny, the water was the calmest it was the whole time — it was beautiful.”
Courtesy Karen Jacot
The expedition team then staged a crossing ceremony involving a stuffed krill, a dab of fake penguin poop, a splash of cold sea water, and a shot of vodka.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
Seeing the continent for the first time was more emotional.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“I cried,” said Jacot. “The fact that I was standing there actually looking at Antarctica — that is a moment that I’ll definitely never forget.”
Courtesy Karen Jacot
After disembarking from the main ship via Zodiac inflatable boats, Quark guides led landings and tours on its snowy surface.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
She befriended penguins on Cuverville Island.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“I didn’t know how noisy they were, that they talk a lot to each other,” she said. “They’re also very smelly, but I got used to the smell.”
Courtesy Karen Jacot
She hiked up a glacier on Damoy Point.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
Argentinian researchers stationed on Deception Island offered drinks and cookies.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
Port Lockroy hosts a gift shop, museum, and post office, where Jacot mailed herself a few postcards.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
She also braved the freezing waters and participated in the ship’s polar plunge.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“It was very cold, although what struck me more than the cold was the saltiness,” she said.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
When the weather or water didn’t cooperate with their scheduled excursions, they substituted scenic cruising, instead.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
After finally visiting the secluded island, it doesn’t feel so distant.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“Travel makes the world seem smaller because you realize … it’s not such a mystery,” she said.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“Antarctica always seemed so far away and so remote, and now I’m like, ‘Well, it takes two days to get there, but you can do it.'”
Courtesy Karen Jacot
She loved it so much that she hopes to visit again.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“It’s by far the most incredible place I’ve ever been,” she said.
Courtesy Karen Jacot
“Everything there was so breathtaking, and every time you went outside you were just in awe.”
Courtesy Karen Jacot
Photographer Karen Jacot’s trip to Antarctica was a dream come true.Courtesy Karen Jacot
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