Happy New Year from Antarctica!!

PHOTO: Today's zodiac tour towards Antarctica's Cuverville Island (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken on my iphone 6 plus

The invitation to go cruising to Antarctica is not a goal one sets for oneself, mainly because I (who had never cruised before) had no idea that the possibility of cruising to Antarctica was even feasible. At that point, back in July of 2015 when the invitation was extended to me, all I knew of Antarctica vacillated wildly between the forebording visage in documentaries -- of frigid conditions and icebergs sending ships to the bottom of the ocean -- verses the adorable cutenss of the acclaimed documentary March of the Penguins.

Antarctica of my imaginations was, thusly, either frightening or too cute.

PHOTO: View of the Seabourn Quest from my zodiac (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken on my iphone 6 plus

The reality of Antarctica is neither of these wildly different, juxtapositions.

PHOTO: Happiness is standing on Antarctica at Half Moon Bay (c) Sery Kim -- taken on my iphone 6 plus

Having been aboard the luxuriously comfortable Seabourn Quest for a full 38 hours, what I have discovered of Antarctica is how incredibly beautiful and calming it is. The waters are not choppy but rather lulling, resulting in peaceful night's sleep on the European-quality bed. Majestic views invade the scenes in one breathtaking portrait after another.

It's summer here, as my journey starting on December 28th and ending January 13th encompass, and so it is shockingly warm. When we landed in Half Moon Bay yesterday for the first full day of landings in Antarctica, within 15 minutes I was stripping off the lovely jacket Seabourn had given each guest as both a journey souvenir as well as usuage for while out in the arctic conditions. Within 30 minutes, I was down tojust my waterproof shirt and ski pants (from my darling dear friends at Obermeyer who make the best waterproof gear I have found).

In fact, today Chef gave me "major respect" (his words, not mine) for walking around outside in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. That's summer in Antarctica ...

PHOTO: One of the icebergs near Culverson Island today (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken on my iphone 6 plus

Walking 4 miles from one of Half Moon Bay to the other, with the Livingston Mountainssoaring majestically within seeminly touchable eye-sight, was comfortable, as was the walk today on Culverson Island. Actually, it was positively BALMY. As easy as walking a sidewalk or hiking in some park in New York City. (CAVEAT: I went on land in the smack-dab middle of the day, at 12:30 pm. Also, the sun was shining with no falling snow. And the Seabourn Quest Expedition crew had paved a walkable path for us with flags and with footsteps from three previous groups of landings easily marking the way.

PHOTO: A shell on Half Moon Bay, Antarctica (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken with my iphone 6 plus

PHOTO: View of Livingston Mountain from Half Moon Bay (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken with my iphone 6 plus

PHOTO: Chinstrap penguins on Half Moon Bay (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken with my iphone 6 plus

PHOTO: Antarctic ice on Half Moon Bay (c) Sery Kim -- taken with my iphone 6 plus

PHOTO: Sitting on Antarctica ice in Half Moon Bay (c) Sery Kim -- photo taken with my iphone 6 plus

I walked confidently, with a borderline arrogance comprised of naivete mixed with a constituion sculpted by daily exercise. I took an inordinately small amount of pictures, which is really saying something for me, but I was just happy to let myself soak in the fact that I WAS ON ANTARCTICA. How many people can say that?!

PHOTO: A strutting Gentoo Penguin on Culverson Island (c) Sery Kim -- taken on my iphone 6 plus

I'm sure, overall, there will be a glut of photos -- and with the availability of intermittent wi-fi (how is it that I can get streaming internet in Antarctica but Sprint can't be a good enough provider to get me consistent connectivity in the United States!?!) I will try to blog frequently.