Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I visited a rather unusual place!
It’s called the ‘National Institute of Polar Research Arctic and Antarctic Science Museum.’ Wait, the Arctic and Antarctic!? You might be wondering. That’s right, today I (at least in spirit) flew all the way to the ends of the Earth
The polar adventure begins!
First things first—this science museum is incredibly fun! Not only can you learn about the harsh environments of the Arctic and Antarctic and the research conducted there, but you also get a bit of an adventure feeling while you're at it.
First, my friend who always wanted to visit Finland finally achieved their dream of landing… on a map (haha). The first step of any trip is always about the feeling, right?
There’s a corner where you can touch real Antarctic ice, and surprisingly, it’s cold! I couldn’t help but think, 'Well, duh,' but I still couldn’t resist touching it (haha).
And what’s even more amazing is that the ice has bubbles from tens of thousands of years ago, compressed inside. If you bring your ear close, you can hear a 'popping' sound! It’s truly a moment where you can feel the passage of time.
Excitement from experiencing the aurora!
In the Aurora Theater, it feels as if you're right there in the Arctic, with the aurora spreading out before your eyes. (No photography allowed)
Since I’ve never seen a real aurora, this was a great way to experience it virtually! I couldn’t help but get absorbed in the view, dreaming of the day I’ll see the real thing.
I learned a lot
The exhibits featured taxidermy of polar bears, seals, and penguins, and I was overwhelmed by how realistic the animals looked.
I also learned that Antarctica is land, while the Arctic is sea. That was a bit of a surprise!
Outside, there’s a bronze statue of the Sakhalin dogs who worked hard alongside the Antarctic expedition team, and you can really feel the history of exploration.
The only disappointment was that the gift shop was closed... I really wanted to check out the souvenirs.
Antarctica and the Arctic—could the next step be visiting them for real?!
This visit has made me even more fascinated by the polar regions!
Dreaming of visiting the real Antarctica or Arctic next... I think I’ll start planning my next adventure!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
