Antarctica - Nomadic Nurse Notes

About

ANTARCTICA

Antarctica is Earth’s last great wilderness. Covering 5.5 million square miles, it holds 70% of the world’s freshwater, locked in vast ice sheets that shape its otherworldly landscape. Winds howl across the barren interior, where temperatures can plummet below -100°F, while along the coasts, life clings to the edges in a delicate balance. Penguins, seals, and whales thrive in its frigid waters, while a handful of scientists and explorers endure the elements to study this frozen frontier. Protected by the Antarctic Treaty, the continent remains untouched by permanent human settlement, a pristine reminder of nature’s raw power and fragility.

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most striking and accessible part of the continent, a dramatic expanse of glaciers, towering icebergs, and snow-capped peaks stretching into the Southern Ocean. Unlike Antarctica’s interior, the peninsula teems with life. Penguins waddle along rocky shores, while seals lounge on ice floes. The surrounding waters are a feeding ground for humpback, minke, and orca whales, making it a prime wildlife destination.

Despite its remote beauty, the peninsula is one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth, with melting glaciers reshaping its frozen landscapes. Visitors here witness not just the grandeur of the last great wilderness but also the fragile balance of an environment on the brink of change. Whether kayaking through iceberg-filled waters, trekking across the ice, or watching a sunset stretch for hours, a journey to the Antarctic Peninsula is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Surviving the Drake Passage – Was It As Bad As They Say?

If you’ve ever talked to someone who’s been to Antarctica, they will bring up the Drake Passage. Some people swear it was a nightmare; others call it smooth sailing. I’d heard about the “Drake Shake” and the “Drake Lake,” and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wanted the drama—the wild...

How Penguins Stole My Heart in Antarctica

I knew I would see penguins in Antarctica—I mean, how could you not? But nothing could have prepared me for the absolute joy of watching them waddle, slide, and hop around in their icy world. My heart didn’t stand a chance. The First Penguin Sighting Our first real penguin encounter happened just...

Kayaking in Antarctica: Paddling Among Icebergs and Whales

Kayaking in Antarctica was never something I had even thought of when I put Antarctica on my bucket list. In hindsight, no one should go to Antarctica and NOT kayak if given the opportunity. But even once I was onboard, there was no guarantee I’d get the chance—only a few groups were selected each...

Stepping Foot on the Seventh Continent – My Antarctica Expedition Cruise Experience

Although it had been on my bucket list for about 15 years, Antarctica had always seemed like this mysterious, unreachable place—something you read about in textbooks or see on documentaries. But one morning in February, bundled in layers and grinning like an idiot, I stepped foot on the seventh...

The Sounds of Antarctica: Ice Cracking, Penguin Calls, and the Silence of the Seventh Continent

There’s a sound to Antarctica, even when it seems like there shouldn’t be. Before I went, I imagined the continent as a place of pure silence—nothing but wind and white. And there is silence, but it’s layered. Antarctica doesn’t give up its sounds easily. You have to slow down and let your ears...