Travelling to Concordia

I left the London (UK) and flew to Singapore and then onto Sydney. From Sydney I then flew to Hobart, in Tasmania. I joined other members from the French Polar Institute (IPEV) and the Italian Antarctic Programme (ENEA) on the … Continue reading →

Credits: A. Kumar
I left the London (UK) and flew to Singapore and then onto Sydney. From Sydney I then flew to Hobart, in Tasmania. I joined other members from the French Polar Institute (IPEV) and the Italian Antarctic Programme (ENEA) on the French L’Astrolabe, a near icebreaker class vessel.
We were travelling with French ex-prime minister Michel Rocard and French Polar Institute Director Yves Frenot among other VIPs.
I was the ship’s doctor – responsible for the health and well-being of the multinational crew and passengers. It took around 10 days to reach land – the Antarctic coast. It was a magnificent experience – from enduring 12 metre swells of the Southern Ocean to clear skies above the still ocean dotted with icebergs.
We arrived at the French Antarctic Station – Dumont d’Urville – named after the famous French explorer. Enroute I saw my first penguin and I was later surprised to find a ...