18 November 2009 Breathtaking arrival

Words cannot do justice to the experience of seeing Antarctica for the first time. It is a vast continent, still with many corners yet to be explored and a very small human footprint. Today, I made my own small footprints (they will disappear!) as I stepped off the plane onto the sea ice. The view was spectacular and truly breathtaking. Mt Erebus, the southernmost active volcano was perfectly framed in the doorway and vast white snow-covered sea ice stretched out in front of me. The buildings of McMurdo Station were in site and I knew I had finally arrived! Now, I have visited all of the seven continents and I have a feeling that this will by far be my favorite. I can't wait to see more of this magical place. Luckily, the adventure is about to begin and I have lots to learn! Now, I have to run around to meetings, grab dinner, settle into my dorm room and get some rest!

I made it to the ice! I have now visited all 7 continents!

 Here is all of our luggage on a pallet. This is how luggage and boxes are transported in the C-17 airplane.

 Here is the plane we took to get to McMurdo. It took five hours to arrive but it was worth every minute!