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Niam Jain travels to the Arctic on a Quark Expedition.

In the summer of 2023, Niam Jain travelled with Quark Expeditions to the Arctic. It was a very active and strenuous trip that included a lot of hiking, zodiac cruises, exploration, and finally, a polar plunge. The scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. These are the rich experiences that fuel Niam Jain’s creativity.

On the first day, we took a zodiac from the quark expedition ship to a gorgeous island, where we hiked for hours. There were so many black flies we all wore nets around her heads and faces to prevent bites. We kept our bodies, including our hands, covered as much as possible. Niam did not like the flies at all!

Niam Jain experienced two helicopter rides above the Arctic with Quark Expeditions. It was a wonderful experience. He was excited and, of course, brought the lion with him so he, too, could experience the adventure and the sites.

We were very lucky to have seen Narwal (whales) from the helicopter. The narwhal is a species of toothed whale native to the Arctic. The narwhal inhabits the Arctic waters of Canada, Greenland and Russia. Every year, it migrates to ice-free summering grounds, usually in shallow waters, and often returns to the same sites in subsequent years. Niam loved the whales.

The helicopter dropped us off on an island, where we hiked for hours. Luck was on our side again – hundreds of Narwal whales passed us on the beach. Niam watched them, taking in the sites and the smells, and then he finally laid down to experience the wealth of sound and textures around him. From the distance, the Quark Expedition ship could be seen anchored. It was a magnificent sight.

Some of the natural scenery is beyond explanation. Our entire family would sit on the uppermost deck of the ship and watch the sunset every evening. On some mornings, we would wake up early to watch the sunrise. Niam was the first to wake up, open the curtains, sit on the deck, and just take in the breathtaking scenery.

Most Arctic icebergs originate from the fast-flowing glaciers that descend from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Each glacier is different in size and shape. Niam would watch them for hours as we slowly moved passed them. Nature is beautiful. Niam would sit on the balcony of the Quark Expedition ship every morning taking in all the peaceful beauty around him.

From the Quark Expeditions ship, we took a zodiac into open waters. There, we paddled for a amazingly serene and beautiful experience. This paddling program enabled Niam to go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, forging new and deeper bonds with nature. He was given the opportunity to explore fjords, glacial faces and mazes of sea ice – experiencing every polar sensation up close and personal.

The polar plunge is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things you can do in the Arctic. It is also one of the scariest things to do, as you step out from the edge of the vessel, harnessed, in just your bathing suit, plunging into the cold arctic waters.