The 22nd of February 2018

We were inside Deception Island all day waiting for the boat to discharge all the things for the base. It was after diner that we were allowed to go outside, rinse our shoes and wear a security coat. We wait for a long time before being in the Zodiac to reach the beach near the base. It was night, I was afraid and also happy to leave the known life for the totally unknown.

I will copy some of the words used by Philippe to thank the people of the base but I actually felt exactly the same as him. Since the very first moment I arrived on the base, I could see nothing but dark water and sky. The darkness never seemed so dark to me that a that precise moment. When I looked to the beach I could see a small “house” and some little lights. Those lights, there were coming from the people we will live with for two weeks. And those people – I didn’t know yet but they – will become our lights of a good life in Antarctica for all our time there.

From the very first moment I land in Antarctica, I was blind because of the lights but I clearly could feel the warm of the people and see their smile. All of one said his name to us and hug us. I couldn’t remember a single name but someone (Antonio I think) helped me taking off the coat and find my shoes. Then, Philippe was waiting for me and helped me with the luggage and the bags. We had so many things to out inside the base. We arrived inside and the first thing to do was to take of the shoes – like at home. It went fast, I didn’t realise that we finally reached our final destination. I made my bed and go to sleep – it was already 2 oclock in the morning.