I have never had the opportunity to talk about my experience overwintering on Marion Island. It is a cold place, filled with warm people that I have always wanted to share with the world. Lucky for me, APECSSA graciously allowed me to discuss my favourite place for Polar Week 2018.

On Friday, 21 September, Tannie Ria Olivier from ALSA gave wonderful presentation on Stellenbosch University’s history in the sub-Antarctic. She showed how biological research was started at Stellenbosch in the 1960s and how we have been involved ever since. My talk mostly focused on life down South, from getting stuck in mires, hiking in the snow, living in a world class base and how to keep busy in the long winter months. For more on the South African National Antarctic Program (SANAP) please visit their website or click here to read more on Marion Island.
– Marius Rossouw