It was a long night on board of the Explorer, I still feel the sensation of the ups and downs of the waves. I slept with the window wide opened, and waking up at 6 am with the ocean waves of the Drake Passage just right there, maybe a meter from my bed, separated by the wall of the ship. I sat at the end of my bed and contemplated the ocean, in disbelief of the moment. Now the dream felt more real. Today we were to sail all day on the Drake Passage, 24 hours without seeing land, in one of the roughest areas of the World. 

I probably learned about the Drake Passage from Jacques Cousteau’s expeditions. My childhood heart set on a few must-do adventures: savoring pizza before the Leaning Tower of Pisa, traversing the entire length of the Trans-Siberian railroad, tasting a shard of Antarctic ice.  And now, this morning, I was on my way to Antarctica, not on just any ship, but aboard the National Geographic Explorer ; I think I will never get tired of repeating that name. 

Suddenly, the speakings on my room announced: "Good morning, good morning". It was Lucho's cheerful voice, announcing time to wake up and get ready for breakfast. 

Every day, we had meetings at the lounge, were we were told about our expedition and schedules. During this time, scientists and tour guides gave us information about animal species, meteorolical conditions and geological characteristics of the Antarctica continent and ocean floor. The meeting in the picture was happening as we crossed the Drake Passage. 

The Magic of My First Iceberg

The two images below hold a special place in my heart, forever.

Crossing the Drake Passage, a journey known for its unpredictable nature, was surprisingly calming. The weather was kind, and the ship swayed far less than I had anticipated. It turned out to be a perfect day at sea. That night, I lingered around the ship, enjoying the calmness and that solitude feeling in the open ocean. I spent time walking the decks, reading in the cozy ship library, and watching the sun dip below the horizon in a sunset that seemed to last forever. When I finally settled into bed, the comfort was unparalleled, and I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Throughout the voyage, I never once closed the window in my cabin. I wanted to savor every single view, every moment outside the ship. Each glimpse of the ocean felt like a gift.

Then came the morning after the Drake Passage. We were approaching the Antarctic Peninsula, and I woke very early in the morning. Sitting up in bed, I rubbed my eyes and looked outside. What I saw left me breathless—an iceberg, floating on the horizon. It was distant, but unmistakable. My first iceberg! The sight was nothing short of magical.

Without a second thought, I grabbed my Canon R5 and set the camera to what I hoped were the right settings. I snapped the photo quickly, eager to capture that fleeting moment. The image below is that very shot. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was the magic of the moment—but I captured it, and it remains one of my favorite images from the trip.

Though I took many more photographs of icebergs throughout the expedition, this one is special. It was my first.

About 30 minutes later, another iceberg appeared outside my window. This time it was closer, gliding by silently, a reminder of the beauty and grandeur of the icy world I had entered.