No, I did not empty a bucket of ice water over my head for charity.

I immersed myself in it!

Sven, Branden and I went to Sandy Bay beach again to hang out and work on our tans.

But as usual with the winds there, and in combination with our sun tan lotion, we soon looked like we had rolled around in the sand.

The water was eerily silent, practically no waves, just the relatively shallow surf.

You could walk right in, and so we did.

I prefer to be in control of when the water hits me – when it is cold. It’s easy to jump into the Mediterranean. This is different.

I checked: the water temperature is 18 degrees according to the weather forecast, but somehow I can’t believe that. It feels more like 10.

Seriously, after about 15 seconds your feet start to hurt, and after 30 seconds you just want to run out.

Still, I made it, all the way. And the second time it even is somewhat bearable. The pain subsides…

The best part though comes after: the low tide had formed a few shallow pools around the various rocks on the surf, where the water was, in comparison, warm like a hot tub. So we sat in there for  while, so proud.

I have conquered the Antarctic Ocean!