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...

Cappadocia Turkey

Outside of Istanbul, Cappadocia is probably the next best known and popular tourist attraction in Turkey. And it's not hard to see why.

Cappadocia light and landscape

Famed for its geological features, visitors would be treated to a variety of sights rarely seen elsewhere. Rock-hewn houses, cave churches, underground dwellings, and bizarre-shaped rock formations scattered over a moonscape - there are definitely enough things to impress most people. To further add to the tourists' favorable impressions, accommodation options include 'cave hotels', where you stay in actual cave rooms natural to this region. And these cave rooms can cater to all budgets. From beautifully furnished and decorated hotel rooms to hostel dormitory rooms!!

Visitors queuing to take a peek into the cave houses in Goreme Open Air Museum

A hotel built inside one of the phallic-shaped stone formations

Ancient frescoes inside one of the cave churches

There are a couple of towns within the Cappadocia region, though Goreme seems to be the favourite for backpackers. Being close to the Goreme Open Air Museum, and hiking trails certainly helps. Hiking through Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, or visiting the Uçhisar Castle in Uçhisar - these are all common itinerary for most visitors. And photographic wise, the lighting and opportunities are all to die for. But one of the best experiences though, both in terms of travel as well as photography wise, would be to take a hot-air balloon flight!

There are quite a number of hot-air balloon companies in Cappadocia and most agencies can arrange flights with them. However, there seems to be some syndicate operation going on, as there had been reports of tourists signing up flights with a specific company but ended up with other companies instead. So ask and verify carefully. Flights last about an hour, and you get to witness sunrise over the surreal landscape in a hot-air balloon. Spectacular!! It's hard not to come away impressed.

Imagine flying higher than the sun...! ;)

Floating above the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia

On a typical morning, hot-air balloons fill the skies of Cappadocia

So if you are thinking of doing a hot-air balloon once in your life somewhere, Cappadocia is a good bet!