After travelling 2,500 gruelling kilometres
across the most inhospitable continent on
Earth, Dutch actress-turned-explorer Manon
Ossevoort finally reached the South Pole in
a tractor.
Yep, after a number of setbacks, including
mechanical failures and tricky terrain, Manon's
team arrived at their destination just two
days after their target date.
They made up for lost time by driving non-stop
for over a week, taking advantage of the 24
hour sunlight of the Antarctic summer.
The expedition is just the last leg of a much
longer journey for Ossevoort, she's taking
part in a 38,000 km odyssey which saw her
leaving her home in Holland in 2005, and driving
through Europe and Africa before arriving
at Cape Town, all in a tractor.
I'm so absolutely happy and in awe, and it
feels like me and this Massey Ferguson 5610
tractor have actually made it to the South
Pole and that this seemingly impossible story
has actually got its beautiful happy ending,
and I'm so grateful for that.
Ossevoort, known as 'Tractor Girl', said she
had been dreaming about achieving this her
whole life.
When she arrived at the pole she jumped down
from the tractor and hugged the small statue
that marks the Earth's southernmost point.
