Credits: A. Kumar

Alex writes: Since arriving in Antarctica, I want to ask ESA astronaut and fellow doctor André Kuipers to wave to us as he flies by on board the International Space Station and ask him what he sees. I wonder if he has seen Emporer Penguins who are our companions here.

I arrived in Antarctica by ship and flew over the continent by air between the Dumont d'Urville, Mario Zucherelli and McMurdo stations. It was an incredible experience observing the continent from the air. (more...)

Credits: A. Kumar

Alex writes: 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.  (more...)