Hans Hansson: Day 1
February 12, 2023
Welcome to Antarctica
Nobody said coming to Antarctica would be easy. Harsh environment, unpredictable weather and long days at sea, usually without any connection with the “outside” world. But they did say it would be worth it. Tonight, this proved to be true.
After landing at King George Island via Antarctic Airways, we 6 passengers shuffled our way into the Hans Hansson for what would be homebase the next two weeks. Cozy, comfortable and filled with charm, we settled into our rooms, eagerly waiting for the adventure that is to come.
First up, an overnight crossing of the Bransfield Strait. Though not as well-known as the infamous Drake Passage, she still packed a punch (maybe they’re sister-cousins?). “The only way out is through” is how the saying goes, and so we braced ourselves for the ride down south.
A porthole view of the swells in the Bransfield Strait
20 hours later, our prize for the rollercoaster crossing was a first landing at Hydrurga Rocks. Even with a sky full of clouds, our eyes lit up with wonder like kids on the first day of school. Here, we followed fur seals lounging on the pebbled beach, watched as chin strap penguin moms tended to their babies and marveled at the glaciers that filled the backdrop. All this visual stimulation… and it’s only our first stop.
Chinstrap penguins with chicks
Seal waking up from a nap
We continued on, sailing towards Enterprise Island/Foyn Harbor. During this time, dinner was served. Over fish & chips and chatter, the Hans Hansson peacefully anchored in a spectacular nook that would give us a first look at the continent’s color palette: milky blue hues and shades of incandescent white paired seamlessly with the romantic glow of dusk.
Gorgeous colors of night in Antarctica
Hard journeys are always rewarded. When the sky started to dim, our internal clocks followed suit – night has fallen in Antarctica. As everyone peeled off to go to bed, I poured myself a cup of piping hot tea and took a sip. As the tingling flavor of mint took over my senses, I think about how Antarctica has similarly brought flavor into to our lives: it has refreshed, rejuvenated, and recalibrated all of our minds and souls. I can’t wait for what we’ll discover tomorrow.
Written by Elsa Hsieh
Photos by Andrew Teakle
