Uncomfortably lay in a South American airport terminal, I’ve already conquered the 13-hour long-haul flight—an unrestful adventure teeming with anticipation, introspection, and contemplation of the journey that led me to this point. Jet lagged and exhausted, 3 flights endured we arrive into Punta Arenas with a final leap to Antarctica yet to come,weather dependant, we anxiously await that information.

Fortunately, we had just a single day to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of Punta Arenas. Soon after, we boarded the British Antarctic Surveys Dash plane, their transport for ferrying personnel between Chile, the Falklands and their Antarctic destinations. The journey itself proved to be indescribable as we soared through dense clouds, catching tantalizing glimpses of the icy continent beneath us.

Landing at Rothera Research Station was a culmination of so many,mixed, emotions. It was a place i was so familiar with, I’d spent months researching the base,reading blogs with intimate stories of days gone by and the intense modernisation project well underway. Despite the visual familiarity and breathtaking surroundings, I found myself a newcomer amidst a community of over 140 individuals deeply entrenched in the rhythm of station life. I had to learn and intertwine with the procedures and the way things operate here. One thing I noticed immediately was that base, to me, seemed a microcosm of British society, my new home at the edge of the world.

It was Christmas Eve, I’d been here almost a week, friendships are blooming slowly getting round to catching up with everyone i’d met at PDT in september and to those i hadn’t met – it was a big adventure of getting acquainted to everyone id surround myself with for the next 6 months.

My Christmas eve was spent on two leisurely boat trips, exploring the surroundings of the base. We encountered various Antarctic birds, leopard and elephant seals, and, of course, the adorable penguins! The glaciers and mountains, plunging straight into the sea, offered breathtaking views. Even now, it’s hard to believe how unique and privileged it is to work in this extraordinary place.

Life here is chaotic,fast paced and forever running beyond the realms of any schedule – I hope to find time to write here about all that occurs over the next 6 months