What It's Like To

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday June 3, 2008

MARTIN DINNEEN

PEOPLE tend to have their favourite holiday destinations, but not many would have Antarctica high on their list.

But bird enthusiast Dr Phil Hansbro has been to the icy continent four times and said the experience was unequalled in its illustration of the power of nature's extremes.

The first time Dr Hansbro travelled there he was a passenger on the Aurora Australis when it sailed through one of the worst storms he had encountered.

"We had 90-knot winds and 18-metre waves breaking over the bridge," he said.

Dr Hansbro said this tumult was in direct contrast to the tranquillity of the protected bay they sailed into in Antarctica.

"The water is just flat calm and glassy," he said.

"It is quite surreal."

While conditions can be harsh, Dr Hansbro said it was possible, on sunny days, to get around in jeans, T-shirt and jumper.

"It was so nice one evening that we sat on the ice drinking gin and tonic as the sun set at midnight."

But conditions can change before one realises it with sudden winds sending temperatures plummeting.

"The temperature can drop 60 degrees in one hour."

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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