Daria Zandomeneghi is a volcanologist that has spent a number of seasons researching and exploring Antarctica.
She is now helping us advise customers on their own adventures to Antarctica, giving us her unique point of view and knowledge about all aspects of an Antarctic experience.
Here she tells us about her favourite moments on the continent:
How much time did you spend in Antarctica?
I spent 5 seasons in Antarctica, three of them with the Spanish crew and two with the American team. That means that I crossed the Drake passage (1000 km) 6 times in different army vessels and flew 4 times over the South Pacific Ocean and Ross Sea (3920 km) in military aircraft.
What did you do while you were there?
I worked as field volcanologist, in the Antarctic Peninsula and in Ross Island. However, I also collaborated with other researchers, including biologists, geochemists, astrophysicists as well as photographers and journalists.
What was your stand out Antarctic moment?
Touching land: every time, after the long trip done to reach Antarctica, that is a very emotional moment. However, I cannot forget the first time I saw a seal in its own environment or an explosion in the lava lake of Erebus volcano.
What is your Antarctic must see?
Wildlife, it is all about enjoying the nature in its primordial state, far from a zoo and captivity.
Was there anything that surprised you about the continent?
I found really bizarre that Antarctica can have such extreme changes of temperature. There are places and moments, for example in the Antarctic Peninsula or in the Dry Valleys or even in Ross Island, of pretty high temperatures, nothing less than a winter in UK.