My favourite iceberg
Having lived in Namibia over a year I am very used to living amongst nature, seeing its vastness, its power and how inspiring it is and how good nature is for your soul. In Antarctica you can times this by 100. Out there amongst all that sublime, powerful nature you could really feel the force of the place, how pure and natural it was and how so quickly you could be crushed to nothing under falling ice or swept off your boat by an unexpected wave and freeze in the sea. Seeing all that profound nature and its power and strong energy force could make you believe anything is possible there and in life generally. One of those really profound epiphany moments which makes you reassess your life and wonder where you are, where you are going and what you want to be and resolve to go for it.
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."- Albert Einstein
"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." - Albert Camus
"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today." - Dale Carnegie
"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." - Earl Nightingale
With all the working at random times, early early mornings, late evenings and the sun rising on one side of the boat as the moon set on the other its easy to lose time at the end of the planet. Some days we got up at 5.30am and didn't finish until about 10pm other days it was way more relaxed.
"Lost time is never found again." - Benjamin Franklin
After the guys had packed away all the kit carefully it was usually time for a sauna before dinner, we nick named the sauna the 'namibia room' as it was the only place those of us used to the heat could go to get some warmth!
We were lucky enough to see the full moon, which rarely happens in Antarctica.
"For most people, we often marvel at the beauty of a sunrise or the magnificence of a full moon, but it is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the universe that surrounds us." - Richard H. Baker
"Get over jet-lag quickly. I think a lot of people waste the first few days sleeping in the wrong time zone. Sometimes I take melatonin but at other times a glass of wine will do it." - Jane Seymour
So, back to Namibia after a month away. Left with some half decent pictures and some amazing memories.
“Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart.” ― Haruki Murakami
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success." [From an advertisement, almost certainly apocryphal preceding Shackleton's Nimrod expedition]
Out takes
Here are a few final pics, videos and stories that I wanted to share,but couldn't remember where they fitted...
1
Back somewhere in South Georgia the wealthy owner of the other boat had his children dress up in seal costumes and be photographed on the same glacial river as our models were, its hard to describe the contrast between the classy shots that we took and the cringe factor this experience brought in for everyone! hilarious!
“Why must we climb away to the seal-less parts of the world?” ― Margo Lanagan
2
On one of the last nights our young model had finally come out of her shell, grabbed my hair and started to braid it, it took 2 hours for her to do half the first row as she tutted at how soft and hard to weave my hair was. the front row was weaved and the back put in a bun, I looked epic! Sort of!
"I am just going outside and may be some time." - LEG Oates
“The land looks like a fairytale." Roald Amundsen ( 1872-1928 )
“The first time you come down for the adventure. The second time for the money.
And the third time because you can't function anywhere else anymore.” - anon
“First you fall in love with Antarctica, and then it breaks your heart . . . illuminates very clearly the great ocean of ice rolling to the horizon in all directions, the moonlight glittering on the snow, gleaming on the ice, and all of it tinted the same vivid indigo as the sky;
Having lived in Namibia over a year I am very used to living amongst nature, seeing its vastness, its power and how inspiring it is and how good nature is for your soul. In Antarctica you can times this by 100. Out there amongst all that sublime, powerful nature you could really feel the force of the place, how pure and natural it was and how so quickly you could be crushed to nothing under falling ice or swept off your boat by an unexpected wave and freeze in the sea. Seeing all that profound nature and its power and strong energy force could make you believe anything is possible there and in life generally. One of those really profound epiphany moments which makes you reassess your life and wonder where you are, where you are going and what you want to be and resolve to go for it.
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."- Albert Einstein
"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." - Albert Camus
"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today." - Dale Carnegie
It seemed everyone had had an equally inspiring day, the crew came back happy with great stories to tell, those who had been cruising round and seeing icebergs and nature had seen some wonderful things and there was much talk of the power and raw beauty of the place.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller
The iceberg the team had been working on had been swept over by a wave from bits of a neighboring iceberg cracking off, the berg became unsteady and started to crack so the team had to evacuate quickly. All the safety stuff was in place and everyone was fine, but a few people came back with a renewed vigour and appreciation for life.
"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." - Earl Nightingale
With all the working at random times, early early mornings, late evenings and the sun rising on one side of the boat as the moon set on the other its easy to lose time at the end of the planet. Some days we got up at 5.30am and didn't finish until about 10pm other days it was way more relaxed.
"Lost time is never found again." - Benjamin Franklin
After the guys had packed away all the kit carefully it was usually time for a sauna before dinner, we nick named the sauna the 'namibia room' as it was the only place those of us used to the heat could go to get some warmth!
We were lucky enough to see the full moon, which rarely happens in Antarctica.
"For most people, we often marvel at the beauty of a sunrise or the magnificence of a full moon, but it is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the universe that surrounds us." - Richard H. Baker
On any normal trip everyone runs for their cameras, on a professional photography trip they run twice as fast and their kit is twice as good.
Here one of the crew shows our young model a few ins and outs with cinematography.
One of the major topics on the trip was what was she going to do when she finishes school. her opportunities and where she may end up. It will all be very interesting to see how these experiences in formative years add up and help to shape the future.
One of the major topics on the trip was what was she going to do when she finishes school. her opportunities and where she may end up. It will all be very interesting to see how these experiences in formative years add up and help to shape the future.
From a few wonderful days we relaxed, caught up on some work and in the evenings partied our way towards Antarctica's airport on King George Island. We had to laugh at the wrap up party - for some reason it reminded me of being on a boat party on the Thames, or a house party, which really made a couple of us chuckle.
"If you want an interesting party sometime, combine cocktails and a fresh box of crayons for everyone." - Robert Fulghum
We laughed, danced to great music I had never heard before and drank drinks with iceberg ice. For the rest of the trip "is that ice, or iceberg ice?" became a common question, no one wanted tap water ice in their drinks again.
On the last night five of us did the polar plunge. Straight off the back of the boat in our pants, then straight back onto the boat and into the sauna! eish- frigging freezing! The shock on peoples faces as they came up from the icey depths was hilarious. Cold doesn't come close.
"Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive." - W. C. Fields
"I hate it when a shower only has two options; 3rd degree burns or skinny dipping in antarctica."- unkonwn
I have to say having travelled to many places and met many people, never before have I met an entire group of people who are so down to earth, but with their experiences / social stature / jobs / contacts/ money could not be. We heard stories of people having dinner with Elton John, meeting Lou Reed, waking up with family portraits of influential nazi's in friends houses, watching space shuttles leave florida during the rush for space, amongst other fascinating anecdotes. Very inspiring and interesting to be around and no pretension at all.
"I like down-to-earth people." - Amos Lee
"I'm just a down-to-earth guy." - Ace Frehley
"If you want an interesting party sometime, combine cocktails and a fresh box of crayons for everyone." - Robert Fulghum
We laughed, danced to great music I had never heard before and drank drinks with iceberg ice. For the rest of the trip "is that ice, or iceberg ice?" became a common question, no one wanted tap water ice in their drinks again.
Throughout the trip someone had noticed how the other boat had a harp on it (one of those essential items for polar travel) we had an ongoing joke about going over to steal, ahem, I mean borrow it, which would have been hilarious trying to make off with a huge harp in a small zodiac in the middle of the night, sadly it never came to pass.
On the last night five of us did the polar plunge. Straight off the back of the boat in our pants, then straight back onto the boat and into the sauna! eish- frigging freezing! The shock on peoples faces as they came up from the icey depths was hilarious. Cold doesn't come close.
"Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive." - W. C. Fields
"I hate it when a shower only has two options; 3rd degree burns or skinny dipping in antarctica."- unkonwn
I have to say having travelled to many places and met many people, never before have I met an entire group of people who are so down to earth, but with their experiences / social stature / jobs / contacts/ money could not be. We heard stories of people having dinner with Elton John, meeting Lou Reed, waking up with family portraits of influential nazi's in friends houses, watching space shuttles leave florida during the rush for space, amongst other fascinating anecdotes. Very inspiring and interesting to be around and no pretension at all.
"I like down-to-earth people." - Amos Lee
"I'm just a down-to-earth guy." - Ace Frehley
With the issues we had had with visas through Chile we could not depart with the team, but had to sail the Drake Passage back to the Falklands. We very sadly waved good bye to everyone else who flew out of King George (and got their Antarctica passport stamp damn it!)
“In Antarctica you get to know people so well that in comparison you do not seem to know the people in civilization at all.”- Apsley Cherry-Garrard
“In Antarctica you get to know people so well that in comparison you do not seem to know the people in civilization at all.”- Apsley Cherry-Garrard
Cue seasickness! A story I have professed all too well already, so will give you a break!
After three days of travel, work and films we landed on the Falkland Islands, just before the referendum. Interesting time to be there with people flying the British flag everywhere and the islands crawling with journalists and people interested in how things would turn out.
Our land lady was delighted to have us with her. She had hosted some of the crew on their way out and seen some of the work they had been doing, so to have these two San models in her house was an honor. She looked after us so well and went out of her way to accommodate us. She drove us round the island a little and told us some stories we saw some of the coves and met some of her family. She bought us take out on the night we were too knackered to go out for dinner and joined us on the last night of the trip and Dj'd a little party in her conservatory when we came back, which was the product of one too many vinos! We were treated like royalty!
Our land lady and young model at the cove
Stunning but cold
Our land lady was delighted to have us with her. She had hosted some of the crew on their way out and seen some of the work they had been doing, so to have these two San models in her house was an honor. She looked after us so well and went out of her way to accommodate us. She drove us round the island a little and told us some stories we saw some of the coves and met some of her family. She bought us take out on the night we were too knackered to go out for dinner and joined us on the last night of the trip and Dj'd a little party in her conservatory when we came back, which was the product of one too many vinos! We were treated like royalty!
Our land lady and young model at the cove
Stunning but cold
Still landmines here, scarily enough!
Feet in the sea!
The girls - still wrapped up which the islanders thought was hilarious
A reindeer in someones garden
Whale bones in the garden with the reindeer
On the 5th March we headed to RAF Mt Pleasant and waved goodbye to the Falklands and our trip. From the amazing Harrods food on the way out we had a bit of a come down - pretty much army rat packs, but we did have ipads to watch our movies on.
“Without Spam, we wouldn't have been able to feed our army.” - Nikata Khrushchev
“Without Spam, we wouldn't have been able to feed our army.” - Nikata Khrushchev
From here we hit Brize Norton and took a cab to Heathrow where mum and one of my best friends met us for a few hours and lunch. We were exhausted and whilst it was amazing to see them it was also really hard to say hello to people you miss and care about for a couple of hours and then walk away again. Emotionally quite hard for all.
We got on our plane to Jo'berg and then our final plane to Namibia. very, very grateful to land and be home again!
It took several days for me to feel like I was back on the ground and not actually floating. It about a week to get over all that travel and not have my body keeping itself permanently awake. Jet lag is not a feeling to be recommended.
So, back to Namibia after a month away. Left with some half decent pictures and some amazing memories.
“Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart.” ― Haruki Murakami
Thank you Antarctica!
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success." [From an advertisement, almost certainly apocryphal preceding Shackleton's Nimrod expedition]
Here are a few final pics, videos and stories that I wanted to share,but couldn't remember where they fitted...
1
Back somewhere in South Georgia the wealthy owner of the other boat had his children dress up in seal costumes and be photographed on the same glacial river as our models were, its hard to describe the contrast between the classy shots that we took and the cringe factor this experience brought in for everyone! hilarious!
“Why must we climb away to the seal-less parts of the world?” ― Margo Lanagan
2
On one of the last nights our young model had finally come out of her shell, grabbed my hair and started to braid it, it took 2 hours for her to do half the first row as she tutted at how soft and hard to weave my hair was. the front row was weaved and the back put in a bun, I looked epic! Sort of!
3
On South Georgia I was stood watching the penguins. They pair for life. Once they decide to pair they rub beaks and sing a song, its really beautiful to watch. As I stood there thinking how sweet their little ritual was as I watched a particularly cute couple of penguins they suddenly went from the flirting stage to the mating stage with little warning and I realised I was now filming penguin sex like some strange voyeur!
"I really knew when I started photographing I wanted it to be a way of knowing different cultures, not just in other countries but in this country, too, and I knew I wanted to be a voyeur."- Mary Ellen Mark
"There is a difference between a voyeur and a tender witness. Maybe I think the audience is more of a tender witness than a voyeur, which has a shady undertone."- Julia Leigh
I have a million, trillion other photos, mainly of icebergs and penguins, but here I think you have seen the best.
Antarctica truly is the most beautiful, powerful special place on the planet. It's not cheap to go there and it takes one hell of a toll on your body getting there and back. It is the worlds great last wilderness and a huge natural resource that I hope we protect forever rather than mine to death. There is an incomprehensible strong energy there, formidable and almost hostile, you know you are small and you feel like she is toying with you and could crush you at any second with the bat of her eyelashes. It takes time, energy, sickness and determination to get there and in part it's almost like she is trying to protect herself from the damage man can do. You might think me crazy to say this, but ask anyone who has been, they will have felt this sublime power.
“The land looks like a fairytale." Roald Amundsen ( 1872-1928 )
“The first time you come down for the adventure. The second time for the money.
And the third time because you can't function anywhere else anymore.” - anon
“One could not but respond to the idea that here was a new world, flawless and unblemished, into which no human being had ever pried. Here were open secrets to be read for the first time. It was not with the cold eye of science alone that we gazed at these rocks--a tiny spur of the great unseen continent; but it
was with an indefinable wonder.”- Sir Douglas Mawson
This is my final and favourite quote, I couldn't say it better myself...
everything still and motionless; the clarity of the light unlike anything you’ve ever seen,
like nothing on Earth, and you all alone in it, the only witness, the sole inhabitant of the planet it seems;
Kim Stanley Robinson, Antarctica, 1998 Book’s First Page
and the uncanny beauty of the scene rises in you and clamps your chest tight, and your heart breaks then
simply because it is squeezed so hard, because the world is so spacious and pure and beautiful, and
because moments like this one are so transient – impossible to imagine beforehand, impossible to
remember afterward, and never to be returned to, never ever.
That’s heartbreak as well, yes – happening at the very same moment you realize you’ve fallen in love
with the place, despite all . . .” -
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