Choosing to Travel Without Crowds

Could it be that you are an individual who likes it when locations are untouched by tourists? In their search for somewhere untouched by tourists, most people will go as far as to both ends of the earth to find it. At the south end of the world lies Antarctica where New Zealand and South America sightseers plan to meet up.

From explorers, to scientists, to sealers, they are the ones who have been to the continent found 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. Ships strong enough to deal with ice impact and sailing through stormy seas will be endured before you get there. Other than 24 hours of sunlight, temperatures that go above freezing happen once in a while.

This group of 14 men and 12 women were the first ones in the south of the Antarctic Circle not to mention 2,000 miles south of and New Zealand in the Mcmurdo Sound area. A long time ago was when British explorers settled here and faced unthinkable hardships and death and this now is the location of a US Navy facility which has 800 sailors and scientists. In the south of the equator, the seasons are the opposites of those happening in the Northern Hemisphere.

With the exception of two airline stewardesses who landed here briefly in 1957, no women have ever set foot in this part of the world. It was not an enthusiastic welcome provided by the Navymen at McMurdo Station when the women arrived on the continent. Actually, the sailors did not appreciate having this affect what they could boast about back home which was not needing to look at women.

Those from McMurdo are not as eager to see the arrival of tourist ships in 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. Some of the extra things include laundry, seasick pills, tips, and drinks while warm pants, mittens, a red parka, and kodachrome will be supplied for all trips.

From US Navy personnel to American scientists, these were the only people in Antarctica since 1955. The nine other nations involved maintain their scientific stations here and on adjacent islands as well. What reaction will the Navy give towards the arrival of tourists? They have no jurisdiction over the people that come here, says the commander of naval forces in Antarctica, for no territorial claim is present. When it comes to their stations, they can allow or disallow people from coming.

To get in, the people should be able to support themselves. But a well equipped ship helps them out with this. Everyone is expected to take the necessary precautions. From the operational plan of the travel agency comes a sight of complete safety on board.

If they wish, visitors could attend services at the Chapel of the Snows, visit the ship's store, post exchange, or have a few drinks at the enlisted clubs after seeing Antarctica's first nuclear reactor. The group consists of ardent bird watchers, hikers, and conservationists, so from the huts used by the early explorers they may also find themselves searching for seals, skua gulls, and killer whales not to mention visiting penguin rookeries.