Touring In The Raw

Could it be that you are an individual who likes it when locations are untouched by tourists? Destinations where they would be the first official settlers become the tourists' motivation to go to the ends of the earth. Joining together when they arrive in the continent of Antarctica are New Zealand and South America sightseers.

Such a continent was only visited by explorers, sealers, and scientists after its discovery in 1820. The United States and Mexico put together is a rough estimation of its size and the 7,000 foot ice blanket covering it allows for limited explorations to proceed. Ships strong enough to deal with ice impact and sailing through stormy seas will be endured before you get there. What is consoling is the sunlight that goes on for 24 hours and rarely having to deal with above freezing temperatures.

Aside from being the first ones in the McMurdo Sound area, 2,000 miles south of and New Zealand, the 14 men and 12 women were also the first ones to reach the south of the Antarctic Circle. Long ago, British explorers faced unexplainable hardship and death in this area which is now the home of 800 sailors and scientists who are part of a US navy facility. Summer south of the equator means winter in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa.

The only women to reach this place were two airline stewardesses who landed briefly in 1957. Considering how they have not seen women for a year, the Navymen at McMurdo Station did not provide them with a warm welcome. It turned out that many sailors did not want to interrupt a long record of being womanless, something to boast about when they arrived home, by watching two girls for a few minutes.

Even the ships arriving in January and February are not eagerly awaited to by the people at McMurdo. Here, jobs are considered by the sailors, civilian technicians, and the scientists to be things that they were specially chosen for. Having more people in Antarctica takes the edge off of everything. From the travel service comes a red parka, kodachrome, mittens, and warm pants while drinks, tips, laundry, and seasick pills are additional services.

American scientists and US Navy personnel were the only occupants of Antarctica since 1955. Marinating their own scientific stations here and on adjacent islands are nine other nations. How does the Navy react to the tourists? According to the commander of naval forces in Antarctica, no territorial claim means that they cannot make restrictions on the people arriving here. When it comes to their stations, they can allow or disallow people from coming.

They only prohibit those who cannot support themselves. This requirement is answered by their living aboard a well equipped ship. There are proper safety precautions for those 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. A number of them are conservationists, hikers, and avid bird watchers, and so trips to penguin rookeries and where seals, skua gulls, and killer whales stay are on the list plus a visit to where the early explorers settled in.

By: Antonio Wall

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