ANTARCTICA pt. 7 // DANCO ISLAND

Today I am wrapping up my photo journal from Antarctica with this last set of pictures from Danco Island.  Thanks for following along as I relieved these beautiful days here on my blog.  I’ve said this already, but words and pictures simply cannot describe the true beauty of this magical place.  I’m so grateful for this trip and for my sister who encouraged it.  I am so thankful my sister possesses the same spirit of adventure and that we can do things like this together.  It was literally the best trip ever.

All the quotes and sayings about traveling are so true…I especially love the words of Anthony Bourdain, “Travel isn’t always pretty.  It isn’t always comfortable.  Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart.  But that’s okay.  The journey changes you – it should change you.  It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.  You take something with you…Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

Once you get a taste of the wonders this world holds, it becomes so hard to not explore (and when you’re not exploring, it’s hard to turn off the daydreams about future destinations).  When life presents the opportunity to adventure… just go.  Go see what the world has to offer.  Go see how other people live. Go do things that scare you…

“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world…”

XO

*more photos on my photography blog, here*

ANTARCTICA pt. 6 : PLENEAU ISLAND

 

After going through all of my photos from Antarctica, I have to say I think this was my favorite area.  The ice formations, icebergs, and mountains were totally insane. The grey skies made for a lack of horizon when you gazed out across the water, really making it feel like we had reached the end of the world.  I’ll never be able to describe it and these pictures will never do this place justice.  Since I simply couldn't pick favorites, I posted a million more on my photography.  Hop over to see the full post from this day : here

During our cruise around Pleneau Island, we were pleasantly surprised to find a playful leopard seal.  He considered the idea of coming into the water from his iceberg napping spot for several minutes.  We watched in awe as he stared back at us, poked his head under the water, and stared at us some more.  After several minutes he slithered in the water and began canoodling with our little boat; swimming under it and around, back down, popping his head up right next to someone…  The water was crystal clear and we could watch his every move.  The animals of the Antarctic and truly amazing creatures.  To see animals in their own, pristine environment is an honor.  There sadly are not many places like this left.

“Otherworldly” is best word I can find to sum up this continent, it really is it’s own special little planet.

xx

ANTARCTICA pt. 5 | PETERMANN ISLAND

As usual, click below to "read more" and/or see the full set of photos on my photography blog

If you like fuzzy baby penguins, you may not want to skip this one! 

xo

ANTARCTICA pt. 4 | THE LEMAIRE CHANNEL

Another beautiful view from my trip to Antarctica.  This wasn't an actual stop but a breathtaking scene from the deck of our ship early one morning.  

Click " read more" below to read on about this area. Again, there are way more photos on my photography blog for those who are interested! xx 

ANTARCTICA pt. 3 : NEKO HARBOR & PORT LOCKROY

 Click "read more" below to view this whole post 

Hop over to my photography site for even more photos from this day xx

ANTARCTICA pt. 2 | WILHELMINA BAY

Happy Monday friends. I'm excited to share another little piece of my Antarctica adventure today.  If you would like to see more photos and read about this day of our trip. Click "read more" below for the full post! 

ANTARCTICA pt. 1 : AITCHO ISLAND / SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

I am so excited to begin sharing some photos from my travels this past month.  I hope you don't mind that some icy landscapes pop up here and there in the next couple weeks between illustration projects.  For any who wondered why my shop was closed for so long or why you received away messages as I seemed to have disappear, well this is why... 

Click "read more" below for more insight on our trip and more photos! 

ANTARCTICA OR BUST

This is the day! My sister and I leave for our epic Antarctica adventure this afternoon.  I'm beside myself.  I really can't believe this is happening! I've been dreaming in shades of icy blue for weeks and can't wait to share photos when we return.  We fly to Buenos Aires tonight, stay there on Sunday night.  Then we head way down south to Ushuaia where we board the ship.  We cruise the Antarctica Peninsula and beyond for ten days.  When we return we have three nights to play in Buenos Aires before we head back home (any recommendations for Buenos Aires are welcome!).  I'm already looking forward to 2015 and diving into work.  The new year is going to bring great things (there are already a few in the works) and I'm just so excited.  You can follow our adventures over the next couple weeks on instagram @shannonkirsten 

I have an away message up on my Esty shop for the time away.  If you're interested in inquiring about a custom project feel free to e-mail or etsy message me with details.  I will be looking forward to responding and starting some new work once I return home mid January!