A unique day

As the blog is my only way of communication right now from the ship Ushuaia, herewith my latest report to both my colleagues, friends and last but not least my family. Our first landing on the continent Antarctica was truly a unique day. We were very lucky with this incredibly sunny day which seems to be quite unique for this time of the year. After a smooth landing we walked uphill and enjoyed the most wonderful view of the bay, the see, the blue sky and the icebergs around us. Later on we had the opportunity to observe the penguin colony, peacefully carrying on with their lives as we walked by. What surprised me is that these creatures are not at all afraid of humans approaching (as they do not have natural predators when not in the see). If only they knew, was my first thought, to be honest. My first impression of Antarctica was the incredible contrasts. It was very hot while in the sun but incredibly chilly in the shade. The snow was white and the rocks black. The ice was hard while the snow very soft. The silence was incredible while all the sound our group made was magnified in the silence all around us. A peaceful, quiet and beautiful place, beyond all imagination.

For my family in the Netherlands: Peter en Csenge, ik hoop dat alles goed met jullie gaat, het is erg jammer dat mijn blackberry hier niet meer werkt. Ik mis jullie ontzettend maar ik denk heel veel aan jullie. Csenge, ik heb een fantastische foto voor jou gemaakt voor je Rusland project op school. Op het eiland Bellingshausen, onze eerst landing hier, staat er en Russiche kerk, zonder twijfel de meest zuidelijke op aarde. Hier heb ik een foto van gemaakt voor je muurkrant op school. Dikke kus en groetjes van Kinga.

For my parents in Hungary: Remelem hogy jol vagytok, en remekul erzem magam, Antarctica egyeszeruen csodalatos. Sok szeretettel gondolok ratok innenn nagyon messzirol. Puszi, Kinga.