Uniting in Antarctica

Could it be that you are an individual who likes it when locations are untouched by tourists

? In general, people would consider taking trips to the farthest ends of the earth to find a place where no one else has been to. Ice laden Antarctica on the bottom of the world is where sightseers from New Zealand and South America will join.

Such a continent was only visited by explorers, sealers, and scientists after its discovery in 1820. Considering its ice blanket which is 7,000 feet thick, only several locations can be traveled to in an area as big as combining the United States and Mexico. When you want to get there, you need to be in a ship strong enough for ice impact and be able to sail through the stormiest seas. Aside from experiencing sunlight for 24 hours in a day, the temperature rarely climbs above freezing.

One hardy group of 14 men and 12 women becomes the first group of tourists to venture South of the Antarctic Circle and the first to visit the historic McMurdo Sound area, 2,000 miles south of and New Zealand. In the past, British explorers faced much hardship and death in this area but now there is a US Navy facility here housing 800 sailors and scientists.

In the south of the equator, the seasons are the opposites of those happening in the Northern Hemisphere.The only women to reach this place were two airline stewardesses who landed briefly in 1957. Enthusiasm was not a big part of the welcome these two women received from the Navymen at McMurdo Station. Actually, the sailors did not appreciate having this affect what they could boast about back home which was not needing to look at women.

The same lack of excitement from McMurdo personnel applies to the tourist ships that are to be expected come January and February. The civilian technicians, scientists, and sailors all agree that what they do here cannot be done by other people and this is why they were the ones chosen to go. There is not as much adventure when tourists come to Antarctica. From the travel service comes a red parka, kodachrome, mittens, and warm pants while drinks, tips, laundry, and seasick pills are additional services.

Starting in 1955, only US Navy personnel and American scientists have been in Antarctica. In addition, nine other nations maintain scientific stations on the continent and adjacent islands. What is the viewpoint of the Navy with regard to tourists? Controlling visitors is not possible for there is no territorial claim that exist, said the commander of naval forces in Antarctica. This does not mean that they have no control too when it comes to their stations.To get in, the people should be able to support themselves. This is not a problem with a well equipped ship.

Taking several precautions protect everyone on board. When it comes to passenger safety, the operational plan from the travel agency meets the standards.There are a lot of things to see and do here including the first nuclear power reactor in Antarctica and visitors can attend services at the Chapel of the Snows, visit the ship's store, post exchange, or have a few drinks at the enlisted clubs. 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.

Uniting in Antarctica

By: harveyne

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