India to Antarctica | Cycle Baba’s DHANNO Makes HISTORY! | Pole to Pole Ep.11

And today, that dream has finally come true. I would like to take your love and blessings. Jai…

Look how deep this is! If we stand here, we could easily make a Titanic pose.

So welcome once again to the 18th day of our Antarctica tour and the 18th day of the Pole-to-Pole journey. We are about to do another landing. This morning, we recorded a very good video and spent a lot of time on it, but later we realised that there was no audio at all!

Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra, Jai Haryana, and most importantly, Jai Bharat.

Let me start today from here.

There was a huge rush around the world to explore Antarctica. Around 1910–11, people began exploring it to discover and claim land, just like the British used to do in other parts of the world. Later, around 1940–45, countries started trying to claim territory here. Nothing concrete happened at first.

Then Argentina sent the family of one of its soldiers here. His wife was seven months pregnant when she arrived. She gave birth here in Antarctica on 13–14 January 1978. That child is known as the first person born in Antarctica. Today, no one really knows much about where that person is.

After that, Chile also tried something similar because the idea was that if the first child was born here under your country’s presence, you could make an international claim. However, that did not work either. Later, several international committees were formed, and decisions were taken about Antarctica. It was declared that no country can claim ownership here. No harmful activities, such as war practice or military action, are allowed. Antarctica is protected for the whole world. Perhaps that is why it has survived in its pure form. Otherwise, human nature is such that we would have destroyed it by now.

We are about to land at a new place where there are some old research centres. It is still drizzling. I am completely soaked today. They have made sure we are fully wet! Now we have to climb uphill, and it may be difficult because our gloves are wet. If you hold onto pipes while climbing, there is also a risk of injury. Thankfully, the ice has not frozen solid yet. If it becomes slippery, it will be even harder.

Here you can see an Antarctic expedition site. This brown building is a research centre built in 1951. It functioned well for many years. In 1984, it caught fire. The reason is interesting. Scientists used to stay here for 12 months a year. One man apparently did not want to spend the winter here, saying nothing much happens in winter. So he set fire to the building. After that incident, it now operates only in summer.

However, our landing here has been cancelled due to conditions. On the other side is another research centre belonging to Chile. It was at that station that, for the first time, a President of a country visited Antarctica.

Some British explorers once spent an entire winter here living only in a small boat. During polar nights, there is complete darkness for three to four months. If you can survive in Antarctica for a year or two, you are almost equal to a god. Two things can break a person here: the weather and loneliness. Earlier, there was no internet or satellite communication. Now there are proper facilities – satellites, television, and advanced equipment. But in earlier times, survival was extremely difficult.

Look at the huge icebergs in front of our ship. How will the ship pass through? It may need to turn around; otherwise, it could get stuck, and we might recreate a Titanic moment here! The crew is clearing ice from the deck so people do not slip. Icebergs are everywhere.

Here you can see two research centres – one Argentine and one Chilean. There seems to be a satellite or CCTV issue; they are fixing it.

Now, let me introduce someone special – my bicycle, Dhanno. She is ready to step out in Antarctica. Who would have thought that Dhanno would reach Antarctica one day? She has been inside a box for the last 20 days. I am very happy. The emotional connection I have with this bicycle is something I do not have with anything else.

It may take 15–20 minutes, but I will try to let her tyres touch the land of Antarctica.

Welcome to the seventh continent of my world cycling journey – Antarctica. My bicycle and I have reached Antarctica in the 10th year of this journey. In the coming years, we will measure the entire world. Welcome to the driest, highest, and coldest continent.

When I started my ride, I had one dream – that someday I would reach Antarctica. And today, that dream has come true. My bicycle and I have reached Antarctica. We will enjoy these beautiful views for a while.

Because of your love and blessings, I have covered 130–135 countries and reached here. On this special occasion, I want to hoist the Indian tricolour here with my bicycle and seek your blessings.

Look at these breathtaking views. I cannot describe them in words. Glaciers surround us on all sides. Only this bay allows entry; there is no other access. Later, when I go by Zodiac, I will show you these glaciers from very close.

You may notice some red colour on the snow. There are places in Antarctica where red waterfalls exist due to a high iron content in the water. But here, our tour leader says it is red algae. Different types of algae grow here, which give this reddish appearance.

Also, there are only two native plant species found in Antarctica. I will mention their names in the description, or you can write them in the comments. I will pin the correct answer.

This bay is called Cierva Cove. It is said to be one of the calmest bays in this region. Here, the only sound you hear is glaciers breaking. Otherwise, there is complete silence.

In the morning, we visited a research centre

Right now, we have entered a bay, and this might be our last landing in Argentina. After this, we may start moving forward on our return journey. There is a chance that they might arrange one more landing tomorrow morning. We still have five days left. The return route takes three days, so we have two more days available. If we get a chance, I will show you more. For now, let’s head towards the Zodiac.

There is no competition for nature. They say nature is so colourful – let me show you. Clouds are everywhere, covering the entire sky. But in one small place you can see a little sunlight. Look at the sun above that mountain – see how beautiful it looks. Amazing! And here comes the Zodiac. We will now go back in it.

Oh no, I suddenly had to run back from the Zodiac. I forgot my life jacket! I had to rush back. Climbing up and down here really exhausts you.

Since we were talking about research centres, I felt like telling you about India’s presence in Antarctica as well. India first came to Antarctica in 1981. Then in 1983–84, India built its first research station called Dakshin Gangotri (South Gangotri). It operated until 1988. In 1988, it was buried under snow. Even then, the Indian tricolour was flying there, and it still flies there symbolically.

After that, in 1988, India built its second research station called Maitri, which has been operating from 1988 until today. The third and most advanced research station is Bharati. It was built using around 200 containers with proper equipment, satellites and facilities. Nearly 200 scientists have visited there over time. Every year, around 20–30 people stay there, and the station runs properly. A lot of research is conducted because the weather conditions in Antarctica are somewhat similar to those on Mars. So, research related to Mars missions is also carried out here. All the data collected is sent to India. Recently, India sent a flight carrying supplies there. There are many more details, but let’s continue the tour.

Let’s go once again for the Zodiac tour around this small cruise area.

“We are now in the southern part of Ronne Island. We will navigate near the glaciers, trying to find some animals. If not, we will at least enjoy the landscape.”

Let’s take one round around the bay. They say we might see some animals. And someone joked that the only animals here are us humans – because there is no bigger animal than humans!

Our guide is telling us that today the water is completely calm. If we go near the glaciers, we might even be able to see the ground beneath and understand how deep the glacier is.

This bay is dedicated to the local communities of Argentina and Chile. It is called “Chingue” Bay (as they pronounce it).

There are two types of ice here. One is sea ice, and the other is glacier ice. The broken blocks you see are glacier ice. If you break and taste glacier ice, it tastes fresh and not salty. Sea ice contains salt.

This ice here is called “pancake ice” because it looks like pancakes. Another type is called “black ice”. It is not actually black; it reflects the colour of the sea water.

It is very difficult to move between these ice blocks. If they touch the propeller of the Zodiac, the engine stops. It keeps stopping again and again because the solid ice touches the propeller.

Look how beautiful our cruise ship looks, standing in the middle of the sea surrounded by glaciers. Let me show you a closer view. It looks like a pure blue ice cube. Wow, real nature!

These big blocks are thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years old. They are called “seracs” – huge ice blocks. Such beautiful scenery, and now even the sun has appeared above.

I asked whether these fall more during summer. The guide explained that just like a river has its own flow, each glacier also has its own flow. They move according to that natural flow.

Look how deep it appears – at least 20–25 metres down you can see clearly. This is pancake ice. It is called that because it looks like pancakes and is a type of sea ice.

See how the sunlight is falling on the glacier. The sun is trying to come out but the clouds are not letting it. Still, when a little sunlight touches the ice, it looks beautiful.

Look at the layers in the glacier – one layer forms each year. This part could fall anytime. Imagine how many years of layers are built up here. When you look down to the bottom, there must be thousands of years of layers.

In some places, you can even see the surface below. Here it is just two or three metres deep, and we have come very close to the glacier. I feel like touching it. Look how deep it is underneath. Our ship is almost directly above it. It is crystal clear – pure crystal.

Now we have returned to our boat. After coming back, hearing the engine sound of the cruise feels tiring because we have been listening to it for 20 days.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

We are back after the tour. Today we unloaded Dhanno (my bicycle). We did photography with Dhanno and took her around. Look at this view. The weather has improved now. Earlier it was very foggy and bad.

And he is the boss – salute to him. He is a really good leader. It is not easy to handle 80 people for 20 days. One or two days is manageable, but 20 days is a very long time.

Today, around six Zodiacs were launched from here. When you see the view, you feel pure joy. I have been in Antarctica for many days now, landing again and again. But today’s view felt especially beautiful to me – truly unforgettable.