I live my travel dreams, I don't have limits and I certainly don't live by boundaries. I was all set for the experience of a lifetime. I didn't question why, but I began my quest to visit Antarctica in a broccoli field in Tasmania (long story...). Then suddenly one morning in November 2010, I did what I had longed for, I stepped foot on Antarctica. It was magical.
All the cliches are true. It snows here, you can see penguins and you're advised to wear warm clothes. This was an adventure holiday with a difference! But there was an added bonus on the trip, for me and the few British travellers on board - we found out at 5pm one night that the next day we would be visiting the remarkable British Base at Port Lockroy! I was excited.
All the cliches are true. It snows here, you can see penguins and you're advised to wear warm clothes. This was an adventure holiday with a difference! But there was an added bonus on the trip, for me and the few British travellers on board - we found out at 5pm one night that the next day we would be visiting the remarkable British Base at Port Lockroy! I was excited.
On board the ship, Happy Hour beers were enjoyed by the Brits amongst us and we had an early night ahead of the big day. Plus an onboard documentary was screened giving an insight into the history of this place, and I was joined at dinner by a British girl who was working there, and we were dropping her off at work.
The next morning we woke up in a blizzard. Well, you wouldn't expect anything else would you? In a wilderness of white, I feasted my eyes from the deck of the ship on the proud Union Flag of the UK trying its best to fly in amongst a flickering snowstorm. I boarded the Zodiac from the lower deck and I headed to Port Lockroy.
The next morning we woke up in a blizzard. Well, you wouldn't expect anything else would you? In a wilderness of white, I feasted my eyes from the deck of the ship on the proud Union Flag of the UK trying its best to fly in amongst a flickering snowstorm. I boarded the Zodiac from the lower deck and I headed to Port Lockroy.
Before arriving at the British Port of Port Lockroy, we were dropped off at a marvellous harbour known as Jougla Point. It was there that we saw penguins sliding down hills, the snowstorm getting stronger and the sense of wonder peaking as our journey to arrive at the British Antarctic Base was complete.
The manager of the base was there to greet us on arrival and a mandatory photo opportunity occurred next to the sign that read: Port Lockroy, British Antarctic Base. I'm from Northern Ireland, the smallest of the four main British countries and I had my travelling flag with me. I posed for photos for a moment before following a penguin into the post office.
The manager of the base was there to greet us on arrival and a mandatory photo opportunity occurred next to the sign that read: Port Lockroy, British Antarctic Base. I'm from Northern Ireland, the smallest of the four main British countries and I had my travelling flag with me. I posed for photos for a moment before following a penguin into the post office.
Post Office? Yes, that's right! Here in Port Lockroy is the world's southernmost actual postable postbox. Port Lockroy is now fully functional as a museum and post office. There's even a shop and a few rooms of relics from days gone by. The shop is a feast for the souvenir hunter. But I travel with a backpack and I travel light so posting postcards and buying stamps was as far as my wallet took me inside the museum.
There are a few buildings on Port Lockroy, the main one which is where the museum and post office are housed is called Bransfield House. I wrote my postcards and posted them. As did most others on our tour. Plus it was here that we got our essential Antarctica passport stamp - one for the memory and one for keeping.
There are a few buildings on Port Lockroy, the main one which is where the museum and post office are housed is called Bransfield House. I wrote my postcards and posted them. As did most others on our tour. Plus it was here that we got our essential Antarctica passport stamp - one for the memory and one for keeping.
It was a bit extra special for the British amongst us, as not only was this the British Base, but it was the 11th November 2010. It was remembrance and we held a minute's silence in the most peaceful abnd tranquil of places surrounding by nature. We will remember them - those who fought and died in wars. Yet, here in Antarctica, all was calm and peaceful. It was a perfect setting.
The museum also features an old kitchen with a stove, some bedrooms with extra quilts, a radio room for communication and a room of memorabilia. Everything about it was magical. I had to savour the moment and I pondered on it myself as I wandered alone around the island in the deep snow.
The museum also features an old kitchen with a stove, some bedrooms with extra quilts, a radio room for communication and a room of memorabilia. Everything about it was magical. I had to savour the moment and I pondered on it myself as I wandered alone around the island in the deep snow.
A penguin slid down the hill and nestled himself beneath the Union Flag (Union Jack) as if to wave goodbye to us foreigners and regain his home, well he has a right to. The penguin is a local resident. It was time to leave the white mystical magic of Port Lockroy and head back to the ship.
The journey round the white continent continued but the patriotic trip to the British Base was over, at least for this lifetime...
The journey round the white continent continued but the patriotic trip to the British Base was over, at least for this lifetime...
Biography:
Jonny Blair is a self confessed travel freak. He lives his dreams and then writes about them passionately and to aspire others to follow in his footsteps to live a lifestyle of travel. Jonny grew up in Northern Ireland but left 10 years ago, and has now visited all seven continents, with no plans to stop moving at any point. His current base is Hong Kong, but he's off to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Brunei soon. You can check out his popular website Don't Stop Living - a lifestyle of travel to stalk Jonny and his endless journeys. He won't mind.
Jonny Blair is a self confessed travel freak. He lives his dreams and then writes about them passionately and to aspire others to follow in his footsteps to live a lifestyle of travel. Jonny grew up in Northern Ireland but left 10 years ago, and has now visited all seven continents, with no plans to stop moving at any point. His current base is Hong Kong, but he's off to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Brunei soon. You can check out his popular website Don't Stop Living - a lifestyle of travel to stalk Jonny and his endless journeys. He won't mind.
This article was written by Jonny Blair, owner of Don't Stop Living website. Almostfearlessbackpackers.com has posted this article with the permission from the author.