The Last Continent - Antarctica

Antarctica is the subject of wonder, awe and mystery for many travelers and explorers. Even more so for the common folk. Indeed, it was just a place on the map that I had just gazed at, fantasizing about a visit one day.

It was actually quite late in life that I realized that it is quite possible to do so. While I knew scientific expeditions to the southernmost continent were common, I never knew that tourist visits were possible on cruise ships. And there are quite a number of establishments that arrange that as well!

Being the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, the only window of time possible for tourist visits are the "summer" months from mid Nov to early Mar. While different months may yield slightly different experiences, every visit will blow your mind away with it's spectacular untamed landscapes and amazing untouched wildlife. In early season eg Dec, you may see pristine white winterscapes and adult penguins convorting in the snow. In Feb however, you may see penguin chicks shedding fur among poo-covered icy ground. But the common denominator of it all is that you would come away with a trip of a lifetime!

With the advancement of world connectedness through internet, one can easily find tour operators with Antarctic cruises. However, if you have abit more time, you may well visit Ushuaia Argentina, commonly known as the southernmost city on the world. Most cruise ships depart from here to Antarctica, and you may get better deals from here.

Needless to say, the Antarctic is one of the most beautiful places I've been and one of my most memorable trips I've had. Here's to more travels in 2014 ahead!

Amazing icebergs on display

Adele penguins upclose

Penguins & Ice-cliffs are common sights

So are seals

Plenty of other birds

Visits to research stations

Sailing in an icy world...

Harbin, Northeast China

Mention Harbin, and the Ice Lantern Festival comes to mind. In fact, it is Harbin's number one tourist attraction, and so, significant efforts are also put in to capitalize on this.

Beautiful lighted ice sculptures

There are now like three locations where you can admire and see the snow and ice sculptures - Zhaolin Park, Sun Island, and the Snow & Ice World. All require entrance tickets in excess of 100RMB each. The biggest is probably Snow & Ice World, but all will be crowded. And they are best admired at night where the multi-coloured lights bring the sculptures alive.

However, I actually enjoyed some of the other attractions aside from this number one attraction!

• The main tourist street of Zhongyang Dajie (中央大街 ), a cobbled pedestrian street, makes for nice browsing with Russian influenced architecture, some dating back 1900s. And it's really nice to just chill in a warm cafe after a wintry walk! (And the cafes have nice decor too!)
• The Church of St Sophia, the most photographed picture in Harbin, is well worth its shutter time especially early morning or late evening when it is bathed in the winter sunlight. 
• I also enjoyed the walk across the Songhua river, where you know as you stand in the middle of the river that this view is only possible in winter. There are also all manner of activities on the frozen river, from horse-carriage rides to sledding. But I prefer to walk - how often can you walk on a river?! ;)
• And the amazing winter swim that the locals partake, though having to pay an entrance fee to see it caught me off-guard for a moment (and then I remembered I am in China... :p). It's interesting to note that for the "warm-up" before they plunge into the icy-cold waters, the participants actually roll themselves on the snow/ice-covered ground! I guess it's to minimize the shock the body gets when they jump in.

I've always enjoyed winter, though in Dongbei (Northeast China), you have to be properly equipped for it. A number of friends are particularly concerned about visiting Harbin since many are worried about the extreme cold here. But once you're properly well attired (a good down jacket is an absolute must!), Harbin is really quite enjoyable!

Winter swimming

Zhongyang Dajie at night

Winter in Hokkaido

I love winter. ;)
And especially so in Hokkaido! Cold.... extremely cold, but oh, so beautiful! I remember as I went through the customs check at Narita airport in Tokyo, and the officer asked where I will be heading. I say Hokkaido, and he raised his eyebrow, and said "Very cold there. You know?" I said I know :)


Well, besides being breathtakingly beautiful (and breathtaking cold), there are some festivals worth visiting in winter in Hokkaido. Most famous is its Sapporo Snow and Ice Festival. Most people might have heard of the more famous Snow and Ice Festival in Harbin China. This is something similar, where beautiful ice and snow sculptures and being displayed. Competitions are also being held, where international sculptors would come down to literally "carve out a name" for themselves :)

While Sapporo has several locations which have these sculptures on display, the festival is actually being celebrated in other parts of Hokkaido as well. Cities like Asahikawa and even onsen resorts like Sounkyo also have their versions of the sculpture display. Just goto any tourist information counter and you should be able to find out all the various celebrations around Hokkaido. And when night falls, and the lights go up, it's really pretty everywhere!

Besides the Snow and Ice Festival, there is another beautiful and romantic festival, held only in Otaru. The Otaru Yuki-akari-no-michi (Snow Light Path) Festival. Here, candles will be lighted in ice casings/chalices and placed along the streets as well as the famous Otaru Canal. Mini lighted "boats" (not sure if they're paper) will also be placed in the canal. At night, it is really really pretty! So remember to bring your tripods! Protect yourself adeqately, and you'll really enjoy the place and enjoy your photography!