Antarctica: Earth's last glorious frontier!

Journeying in a small ice-strengthened ship crewed by some of the world’s most experienced sailors, we travelled to the Ross Sea literally in the steps of Scott and Shackleton, two intrepid explorers of the ‘Golden Age of Exploration’. In the early 1900s, history was being made: the race was on to be first to the South Pole. Their expeditions became stories of unbelievable courage, privation and determination.

We visited the original expedition huts, including the Cape Evans Hut from which in 1912 Scott and five of his expedition left for the South Pole, tragically never to return. The huts are still standing after 100 years exactly as when they closed the doors behind them. This is one of the most remote places on Earth.

The continent is truly beautiful and magical, a place where life abounds. We witnessed the daily drama of wildlife in the raw, watched many different whales including the largest creature to ever exist, the Blue Whale, came face to face with elephant seals, sealions and many species of penguins and watched myriad flocks of glorious birds. 

It is an unyielding, yet glorious land fiercely protected by the wild Southern Ocean.  It may not be for everyone, but we loved every minute of it.

By Heather Wheat

Arriving at Cape Adare to a welcoming party of Adele penguins afloat on an ice monolith.

Glowing faintly pink as we approach land, the Transantarctic mountains divide Eastern and Western Antarctica.

Heather and Lindsay, somewhere under that pile of clothes, standing at the entrance to Scott's Cape Evan's Hut.