The virgin landscapes of Antarctica
Antarctica is a very special place for me. It is the coldest, driest and windiest continent. It is so hostile an environment that there are no permanent inhabitants. That such a hostile place can be so hauntingly beautiful is very special.
I have always had a fascination with vast open spaces and wildernesses. I don’t think I was much older than five years old when I announced to my parents that I wanted to go to the Outer Hebrides. After poring over a map of the UK in school I had singled out this set of islands as being remote and I wanted to go. I don’t think I knew Antarctica existed at the time or I am sure I would have chosen that instead.
It is the journey in every sense of the word that makes me love these places. Remote places are difficult to get to but that makes them raw, wild, largely untouched and completely authentic. It is as it is. No one has tried to mold these places to fit the tourist. Not yet anyway.
As the ultimate wilderness, I felt priviledged to visit Antarctica. The raw beauty of the place took my breath away. I don’t think I was expecting much more than penguins and icebergs to be honest. That would have been enough. The countless glaciers and massive mountain peaks as a permanent backdrop was a total surprise. We also did not come into contact with any other groups or travelling parties throughout the trip. It felt like we were alone to experience this huge continent by ourselves.
It was difficult for me to choose a photo to sum this up but I think this one comes close. Everything against the landscape looks so small in Antarctica – boats, wildlife, people. The landscape dominates and you have no choice but to respect it. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with Antarctica.
Read more about our holidays to Antarctica or read our holiday guide to Antarctica.