AJ Episodes - 9 (ADVENTURE JOURNEY: The Extreme Vacationer's Handbook)

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AJ EPISODES
Episode 9: Antarctica, 1999



	START FROM THE BEGINNING: Episode 1 Siberia, Winter 1992 Episode 2 Kauai, Hawaii, Winter 1984 Episode 3 Osaka, Japan, Summer 2005 Episode 4 Monte Verde, Costa Rica, Summer 1989 Episode 5 Aspen, Colorado, Winter 1983 Episode 6 Mali, Fall 2001 Episode 7 Sydney, Australia, Spring 1991 Episode 8 Brisbane, Australia, Summer 2006 Episode 9 Antarctica, 1999 Episode 10 Belen, Nicaragua, Spring 1990 Episode 11 On the Mediterranean, Spring 2000 Episode 12 Buenos Aires, Argentina, Summer 2003 Episode 13 LAX, Summer 2003 Episode 14 Lagos, Nigeria, Spring 2000

Akiko was awakened by the crack of ice breaking in the distance. A penguin sounded a desultory call from the opposite direction.

She opened her eyes and yawned, tasting the cold in the air around her. The dry bit of mistletoe which she'd hung from the apex of the tent reminded her that, even here in the Ross Sea region where the sun never set, it was Christmas morning.

Yesterday, Hyoichi had told her that on that very day Australian explorer Douglas Mawson had, in 1913, finally been rescued after his second failed attempt to find the South Pole. And it was just like him to want to be in the vicinity of where the people who inspired him had failed.

Unlike her husband, who delighted in expeditions, it was hard for her to believe she was here. The closest shed come to uncharted territory before was a single backpacking trip along the Nepali border. Now she knew how to make a quinsy hut out of a sintered snow pile.

Beside her Hyoichis sleeping face was lit by the cool blue light coming through the tent plastic. He was as peaceful in his sleep as a child, and yet deeply lined with his experience of extremes. The very definition of handsome.

She wondered what she would have thought of him if hed been ugly. But it was better not to think about such things and she concentrated instead on ignoring the growing protest of the penguins outside.

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