byGeorgia Elliott-Smith

On the 12th of January, Iman Remo and I met in Punta Arenas, Chile to begin the experience of a lifetime. Four days later we departed by Hercules aircraft for Patriot Hills base camp in the heart of Antarctica for a 10 day programme of discovery into life on the freezing continent.

Flying over Tierra Del Fuego, Cape Horn and the Drake Passage the world below was visible only in quick glimpses that the thick cloud layer allowed. Far below us I could see the majestic ice-bergs and jigsaw of broken sea ice which seemed tiny until I remembered how high up we were. Gradually the dark slashes in the ice reduced until there was only solid white as far as you could see - my first sighting of Antarctica.

Landing on the natural blue ice runway we stepped out the plane to be greeted by a scene which I will never forget - smooth, pure white landscape contrasted against the deep sapphire blue of the sky, blinding light and heat reflected from the snow conflicting with the cruel bites of freezing wind swooping down from the beautiful backdrop of mountains behind us. At the camp, a cluster of tents and aircraft, we were introduced to the staff, a team of pilots, doctors and explorers from all around the world who we would join in the day to day duties of running a community in such alien conditions.

On our first night sleeping in a tent, we discovered the true hostility of Antarctic winds. The tent poles holding the structure rigid snapped leaving the tent collapsed and the fly-sheet torn. We had to be evacuated to the library tent where we slept for the remaining nights!

Throughout our time at Patriot Hills we learned many things about aircraft, the lifeblood for survival in Antarctica, and navigation using sextants, sun compass and GPS (Global Positioning Satellite), also about weather patterns and prediction by reading satellite pictures projected from space onto a computer powered by solar and wind energy - perfect sources in a land where the sun never dips below the horizon and the winds exceed 60 knots on an average day. The camp’s position at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains provided an ideal and unmissable opportunity for many days mountaineering. Escorted by a guide, we climbed to the highest peaks of the range to experience the breathtaking views of the mountains and landscape surrounding us.

One unforgettable experience was our night spent sleeping in an igloo that we had built. Sitting inside felt like being underwater - absolute silence and a beautiful aqua blue light that dispersed through the blocks of ice. Spending all night in it was, however, not so beautiful for Iman. Her sleeping bag was thinner than mine and I awoke next morning lying next to a human icicle!

On 18th January we flew out to the Ronne Ice Shelf to pick up Geoff and Crispin after their trek from the South Pole. On the journey back to base camp we flew over the crevasse field which they had found themselves in, demonstrating the dangers of travel across the ice shelves, something which the increasing number of inexperienced would-be explorers are unaware of. This fact causes the staff at Patriot Hills great concern over the safety of such expeditions and the future of exploring in Antarctica. Later Crispin taught us to fly the sails which they had used to pull the sledges - not at all as easy as he makes it look!

Since Patriot Hills is the start and finish point for all Antarctic expeditions, I met so many diverse and illuminating people who had completed incredible journeys and had equally amazing stories to tell. Not just the explorers, but also the other Young Explorers who are so warm and special that I can’t wait to see them all again.

This expedition has opened my eyes and mind to so many new experiences and possibilities. At the moment I feel such a sense of inspiration and hope for the future - to use a cliched, but appropriate phrase, the world is our oyster!

It is always hard to write about something that is so charged with a variety of very strong emotions. Pride, sense of an achievement mixed with sadness, but also optimism regarding the future. The awards ceremony was one those moments when you completely lose sense of time, it could have lasted for a second or for many hours. Something is for sure, it will never be forgotten.

The evening started with speeches from Robert Swan without whom this whole expedition would have stayed just a beautiful idea.

Adalberto Hernandez from Mexico, gave the speech on behalf of the Young Explorers. His words were a very optimistic message to the world that is too often very negative and sad. In his talk, the UNESCO ambassador underlined the importance of being a friend to one another and friend with the nature. His speech was followed by the distribution of diplomas and medals. The title of Junior Special Envoy was also given to our video producer Richard Wade,

for all the hard work and enormous amount of time he has devoted towards the success of the expedition. The actual dinner seemed irrelevant, and most people used this time to talk to all the people that they did not have the chance to speak to before. The official ceremony finished with a host of very energetic tango dancers and singers.

Hope. That is the message that the images and words last night have engraved into our memory. We have already started thinking about the future, but now is the time to start working on it and making it happen. For, as Robert Swan has said, now everything is up to us. We have all been given great responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference which can not be wasted.

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After 99 years of British colonism, Hong Kong will be returned to China on the 1st of July 1997. For many Chinese people, it represents an historic moment of unity and development, as Hong Kong was leased by force, and for a century it has been an injury to the Chinese, who have suffered so much from wars. Hong Kong’s peaceful return is the end to a century of humiliation.

Hong Kong, a highly developed finance, transit, tourist and information centre in Asia, with a population of six million all located within 1067 square km, has been developing very fast in the past 20 years, and has a very mature social and economic system. Will its return to China prevent its further development or threaten its interests? How will it affect the ordinary Hong Kong citizens? YEs Lavina (Hong Kong) and Eric (China) have their own viewpoints.

Lavina believes the majority of Hong Kong people appreciate the contribution of the British Government, but feel Hong Kong is part of China and are happy for its current settlement. Some people have voiced their doubts on Communist China and tried to leave Hong Kong. But many have returned to Hong Kong again, as more and more people share Lavina's views: "I want to witness the moment of take-over, whether the basic laws hold or not..."
"I have full confidence in Hong Kong’s future, as its current system will be maintained for at least 50 years."

Eric is a Chinese MBA student and believes:
"The convergence of the two nations will accelerate both their economies. Hong Kong will continue to be an economic engine for the Southern China provinces and benefit from the further involvement of the Mainland."
"Hong Kong has to make full use of the current support from the Chinese government, and further focus on its regional core competence to protect its many interests."
"China’s open-door policy actually weakens Hong Kong’s traditional position as a transit centre and springboard into China."
"Hong Kong does not have to worry too much about politics, economic issues will still be paramount."

Eric and Lavina share a common standpoint, holding strongly that focusing on common understandings and resolving differences through negotiation have proven to be work for Hong Kong - Chinese issues, and wish all the nations at war could sit down to resolve their problems at just such a round table.

A friend in need is a friend indeed, especially when life's in danger. David (India) has undoubtedly proved his friendship with Aslan (Chechnya), in a life threatening sinking accident – a nasty joke set up by two other YEs.

Our research vessel Professor Khromov was sailing at full speed towards its final destination, Ushuaia. Unlike the nights in the Antarctic, it was very dark, with many clouds in the sky and little wind. The sea was incredibly peaceful and the tide padded the ship gently. All the YEs fell asleep, as if in a cradle.

It was 4:00am, 26 Jan 1997. David was vaguely awakened from his dream, as if an Indian prince by a glimpse of light, and a weird alarm of seven short and one long. He half opened his eyes and saw two YEs dashing out, with life jackets around the neck.

"David --- quick Aslan --- you are the last persons..." and then they disappeared.

"I got it..." David replied, half sleeping. "What!?" he suddenly realised something. He dashed to the corridor, empty. "The Ship is Sinking!" he uttered a scream that could be heard throughout the whole ship.

Never had David been so organised and efficient before; three minutes later he was already on the deck with all necessities for 3 days: bags of chocolate, water, pen, paper, clothes, rucksack with sleeping bag and a red life jacket around his neck - strictly in accordance with the escape manual. The sea was already very rough, raining heavily, and icebergs could be seen everywhere.

David to himself:
"My god, thanks to my escape training, I can make it in three minutes!"
"...Quick, where are the others?"
"...Yes, must be in the life boat!"

David dashed to the life boat. The doors were closed. "No, my god, I am too late, they sealed the door. They left me behind!"

David knocked at the door, kicked at the door, shouted at the door and cried at the door. "I am David, open it for me!"

"What shall I do, I have to live, for myself, for my parents. My god, please give me one more chance. I will be as good as what you want me to be."
"S***, god you still haven’t got the door open for me!"
"I hate you all..."
"...Is something missing? Yes! Aslan!!!"

Aslan didn’t understand much English and for him "ship is sinking" equals "continue sleeping", and so he did. David risked his life to go back to the cabin to drag him up. All his body language, including his hair, had to be used to convince Aslan that the ship was sinking and they needed to escape.

When they two finally dashed through the empty corridor, some YEs appeared in their pyjamas. "Oho, David, what are you doing?? Look, you are soaked!"

It is a joke. All but a nasty joke. Two YEs had set this up. They dressed in their life jackets and set their alarm clock to sound as the life escape alarm and repeated the same scenario in many cabins.

David had had enough, he fell 3 times on the deck, black and blue all over, but he at least proved to Aslan the importance of friendship. Without friendship, it is like being without a lifeboat.

As for the two dirty trick players, they were tracked by big mobs with sticks, and not one YE ever opened their door to hide them.