The Drake Passage? Conquered! Phew!
Exhausted yet exhilarated, we stepped into a brand new chapter of this incredible journey
We chose to have a light breakfast – a mini celebration to mark the end of seasickness
Thereafter we attended a snowshoeing briefing and a kayaking briefing to get us prepared for future on-land activities
Our anticipation mounted but fatigue led many of us back to our cabins for a well deserved ‘post storm’ nap.
Our slumber was interrupted by an exhilarating announcement – 📣 OUR FIRST LANDING ON SHORE WAS IMMINENT- WE WILL BE ABLE TO SET FOOT IN ANTARCTICA TODAY! 📣
We layered up, ensuring every piece of gear was in place, and brimming with excitement, we congregated at our base camp on the 3rd floor to board the smaller boats (zodiacs) taking us to shore on Barrientos Island!
This remarkable, ice-free gem in the South Shetland islands, welcomed us with its incredible penguin breeding ground (known as a rookery)
It felt like stepping into a dream!
Words can’t adequately capture the sheer beauty and excitement of witnessing so many penguins, as far as the eye can see, in their natural habitat!
The rookery was a buzzing hub of life and energy, where thousands of penguins gather to breed, nurture, and protect their young. The air was alive with the calls of penguins as they fiercely guarded their eggs or chicks from opportunistic predators like skuas
Nature’s drama unfolding in real-time – a chaotic, beautiful symphony of life in the coldest continent on Earth!
We totally immersed ourselves in the experience while ensuring we obeyed every single rule to respect the continent and its wildlife
On the way back, we were greeted by breathtaking icebergs dotting the horizon, each a masterpiece of nature’s artistry
As if the day couldn’t get any better, an exquisite dinner awaited us aboard the ship, followed by an inspiring briefing about tomorrow’s adventures and a live piano performance till late into the evening
Reflecting on the day’s events, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude!
If this was all we came for, it would have been well worth it for me but thankfully it’s only day 3 of 10!
Experiencing such rare splendour reminds me just how vast and awe-inspiring this world truly is.
Let these 3Es be a reminder to you and me to:
🐧 Embrace the unknown, for it’s in stepping into ‘uncharted waters’ that we discover the depths of our resilience and the boundless beauty of our world.
🐧 Embrace challenges with hope. Your current, seemingly huge challenge(s) may end up being nothing compared to the joy that awaits you on the other side
🐧 End each day with gratitude. It centres you and opens you up to experience even greater blessings
Stay tuned for a life lesson that I learned from these penguins, coming your way in my next post!
hashtag#Antarctica2025
hashtag#LeadershipThroughExploration
hashtag#AcresPlus
hashtag#Acresplusprofessionalservices
hashtag#Leadership
hashtag#Life
ANTARCTICA 2025 🌍❄️ DAY 3 – BARRIENTOS ISLAND 🐧
