subject: Antarctic Travel Through Ice And Storms [print this page] Looking for an unspoiled, out of the way vacation spot where you won't be bothered by crowds? Much satisfaction is gained from being the first one to reach a destination and so people travel to the ends of the earth. Ice laden Antarctica on the bottom of the world is where sightseers from New Zealand and South America will join.
Founded in 1820 was this continent where only a few sealers, explorers, and scientists have been to. Traveling is possible but limited on the partially ice free coast of the 7,000 foot thick ice blanket covered continent as big as the United States and Mexico combined. What is necessary to get there is to be on a ship strong enough to handle the impact from ice and sailing through stormy seas. Temperatures rarely go above freezing and there are always 24 hours of sunlight there.
Other than being able to go 2,000 miles south of and New Zealand in the McMurdo Sound area, the 14 men and 12 women were also the first visitors to the south of the Antarctic Circle. With a US Navy facility already existing in this location, about 800 sailors and scientists are staying where British explorers in the past have settled and faced inexplicable hardship and death. The south of the equator faces seasons in direct opposite of that in the Northern Hemisphere.
A brief landing in 1957 made it possible for two airline stewardesses to be the only women here. Enthusiasm was not a big part of the welcome these two women received from the Navymen at McMurdo Station. The sailors considered this to be distraction to what they could boast about when they went home which was being able to live without women.
When tourists come in January and February, they should expect the same disregard from the people at McMurdo. From the sailors, civilian technicians, and the scientists come the point of view that they were the ones chosen to perform special assignments here. With the tourists comes the loss of adventure and romance of Antarctica. The travel service will provide a red parka, kodachrome, mittens, and warm pants but things like drinks, tips, laundry, and seasick pills are bought personally.
During 1955 and ever since then only American scientists and US Navy personnel were in Antarctica. As well as the Americans, there are nine scientific stations from other nations in the continent and nearby islands. How will the arrival of tourists be acted upon by the Navy? Having no territorial claim mean that they have no say in who comes here, according to the commander of naval forces in Antarctica. Any visit to their stations though is another matter.
To get in, the people should be able to support themselves. When the ship is well equipped this is not a problem. Securing those on board means following some safety precautions. Based on the provided operation plan, the travel agency is seen to provide much safety.
After they see the first nuclear power reactor in Antarctica, visitors can be treated to some drinks at the enlisted clubs here, visit the ship's store and post exchange, or attend services at the Chapel of the Snows. Other than hikers, the group also comes with bird watchers and conservationists, and so the possible activities they may be engaging in include searching for penguin rookeries and places where seals, skua gulls, and killer whales stay in not to mention exploring several of the huts left by early explorers.
by: harveyne
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