Adventure To The Antarctic

It is a real spectacle to observe the impeccable tuxedo wearers, as they slide about a small muddy rookery in their great numbers.

They constantly preen as they defend their pebble made nests from an unwanted neighbor, the seal hunting skuas and big clumsy seals. Fluffy, down-covered chicks clamoring about, their beaks thrusting into the mothers’ mouth for fish that’s undigested.

Penguins work around the clock to feed their young. As one parent comes back with fish from the icy sea, a ritual takes place of bows and pecks and then the other heads to the ocean for their stint.

Penguins really aren’t actually very cute. Penguins are foul-smelling and noisy, pugnacious and pushy. But, they’re truly fascinating and the opportunity to stand close enough to be touched by their flippers, draws more tourists to visit the Antarctic. The Antarctic really is at the edge of the world.

Penguins aren’t Antarctica’s only attraction. Some of the icebergs resemble dragons while others remind us of fairy-tale creatures, some have spires like those on churches and to add to the wonderful backdrop is the spectacular sight of seals, whales, dolphins and many sea birds like the albatross.

This wonderful place has had very few visitors so far, so few that all of them put together might not even fill a football stadium. If someone is keen on finding the holiest place on Earth, it must be Antarctica. It is adventure all the way from the moment you set out on this voyage. While this trip is indeed costly, its exotic and exclusive nature makes it worth the money From the U.S., the journey to Antarctica has two legs; a 20-hour flight to Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas in Chile, Cape Town in South Africa, or Christchurch in New Zealand followed by a sea voyage to the icy continent. These ports are the most common alternatives for getting on to expedition cruise ships. Rough seas and several days of travel is the only way to reach The Big Ice.

The continent of Antarctica is much bigger than the U.S. and the shelves around it make its surface over three times as big. With a thickness of two miles and exerting a massive pressure on the earth?s surface, this vast ice mass holds 70 percent of the Earth?s fresh water.

Nine ships will be plying to Antarctica from February 10 to 18, offering various itineraries. Except for one ship that carries 400 passengers, all the others carry a maximum of 200. Rather than enjoyment, the emphasis on these voyages is on learning the nuances of life in Antarctica.

In zodiac rafts, passengers are taken to witness countless penguins and seals nesting and scientists at work uncovering the mysterious land called Antarctica.

Signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, the U.S., Argentina, Chile, China, Russia and a few other parties, maintain the research stations. The Antarctic Treaty aims to dedicate the use of Antarctica for purely scientific pursuits by keeping it free from commercial and nuclear activity and totally eliminating the territorial aspirations of participating countries. Some of the research stations are very open in receiving travelers but others see it as interference.

Argentina?s Esperanza station, on a frozen plain at Hope Bay, looks like a little town of pre-fabricated bungalows and tourists are free to amble around the research areas, the school, the church and the recreation zone. Everyone and everything around including the military personnel, their team dogs, the meteorologists, the children and even the penguins seem to be enjoying each other?s company.

King George?s Island has nine bases of which Chile’s Teniente Marsh station is the largest and its quiet neighborhood even has a restaurant, a provisions shop and a post office. Nearby, China’s Great Wall Station personnel run a souvenir shop selling T-shirts, medals and stuffed penguins to tourists. On Anvers Island, at the U.S. Palmer Station, only certain ships are allowed and, that too, at specified times. At most places, tourists are not allowed inside residential and work areas.

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