About the Image(s)

We visited Antarctica in 2007, when it was much less accessible and fewer people visited than do today. Visiting back then was quite a bit more rugged than now. We traveled on a Russian icebreaker, the Professor Multinovsky, with 47 other adventurous souls, where the amenities were nonexistent and the cuisine typical Russian. Nowadays, one travels to Antarctica on “Expedition” ships which are mini-cruise ships with white linen tablecloths on the dining room tables, elegant cuisine, other amenities, such as lounges, gyms and even pools, just as larger cruise ships have. However, we were rewarded for our rugged, perseverance with magnificent scenes of blue icebergs, landings, which lasted for up to 8 hours per day, where we walked among hundreds of seals, penguins and arctic birds. You’ll get those experiences even today, because tour companies taking tourists to Antarctica must be members of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), which restricts landings in order to preserve the pristine nature of Antarctica. But even today, as we did in 2007, one travels from ship to shore via Zodiac with “wet” landings, or for rides just taking in the scenery, which I can only term as beautifully desolate. Here’s an image of what it’s like to travel by zodiac throughout Antarctica.

Gear: Olympus E-500, Zuiko 40-150 mm opened to 53 mm
Data: ISO 100, f 6.3, 1/320 sec
Metering: Manual, Setting unknown
WB: Auto
EV: 0
Date Image Created: January 14, 2007