We arrived at the foggy South Shetlands after a smooth crossing of the Drake Passage. We were trying to figure out the landing conditions when the captain of National Geographic Explorer dropped the anchor. Suddenly, we started hearing and smelling the penguin colonies. Two humpback whales showed up and started swimming around us. The Antarctic continent couldn’t have welcomed us in a better way.

After an amazing landing, we all dressed sharp for Captain Peik’s welcome night, and we raised our glasses to the stunning beginning of our adventure.