Yuki Outside

* Voyage 4 * The first of the “Classic Antarctic” flight cruises I would take part in. This meant no more Drakes. I was excited for this.

From the first sun-filled, glassy-watered, humpback-feeding morning, the good weather persisted for the entire voyage. Each zodiac cruise and landing so beautiful, so sunny and so bright. Another world. Sunglasses were not enough. Liberal applications of SPF 40 mineral sports sunscreen were not enough either. I was not the only one to get burned that week. Spert Island, Palaver Point, Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island, Port Charcot, Neko Harbour, Orne Harbour, Whaler’s Bay, Yankee Harbour. I was surprised by my energy that kept showing up despite how tired I was. One long day after the next of one unreal beautiful scene to the other, 11:30 sunsets and laughing together because we’re just so damn tired and excited at the same time. Maybe this is the Antarctic effect of being three-weeks deep? Grateful for these highs however they come.

But also maybe I should pace myself? I still had six voyages to go…