Evelyn Hannon

This year I didn't need brightly packaged presents under a tree or stockings hung by the chimney with care. Instead, I had the wonderful opportunity of exploring Antarctica with Quark Expeditions over Christmas and New Years 2013. Having the chance to set foot on my seventh continent was the best gift I could have gotten.

I was on the Sea Spirit with 100 other passengers and staff that hailed from around the world. Meeting them, spending time with them and getting to know a bit about them absolutely enhanced my experience.

The photos in this album are a sampling of the photos taken by the passengers on this voyage. Everybody pooled their work so we could all return with the best souvenirs possible. I've picked 20 from the batch to give you a little idea of the wonderful sights we saw. The experience was surreal. I can only say I felt I had walked into a film shot by National Geographics.

What I loved best is that we, passengers, were coming into an arctic animal kingdom. This place belonged to the whales, penguins and leopard seals and they were free to do as they needed or wanted to. We were on the sidelines observing. No feeding them, no noise, no getting in their way. We were there solely as guests paying a visit, and it was heaven.

P.S. Watch for my own story and photos in an upcoming issue.