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Going Far South: The Antarctic Sea

By RomanticHeart | June 27, 2010

In this mud-covered rookery that measures a mere square mile, seventy thousand pairs of penguins make their homes. They stand thigh-high and strut about in their tuxedo-looking feathers. When you would like to get more information on antarctica trips check out this site.

The penguins vigilantly care for their nests, and the chicks that may be in them, by chasing away nosey neighbors, skuas and seals. When not doing this, they spend their time fixing their feathers. The fluffy down-covered brown babies chatter constantly, bumping their heads into their parents in a constant demand for food. The parents always have a ready supply of food for their chicks. After a penguin comes back from the ocean with food, they will peck and bow ritualistically before their mate goes off into the waters.

Even though they may be adorable to look at, they aren’t all that adorable if you get close. They smell bad, they’re loud, and they can be very pushy. Even though this is true, they are still awesome to study in close quarters, which is one of the reasons why there are so many people deciding to visit Antarctica these days.

Don’t get the idea that penguins are all that Antarctica has to offer. There is a slew of wildlife to witness, such as seals, whales, dolphins, and tons of other sea birds, and the landscape and seascape are breathtaking. Some of the cathedrals in Europe sport spires that are much shorter than the ones found on glaciers in Antarctica. You’ll also experience something that relatively few people have ever seen by taking a trip to this unusual, distant land. Antarctica is one of the most beautiful places has to offer us. To get a closer look on trips to antarctica visit this site.

Even taking the trip is going to be an adventure! The actual voyage, though expensive, will thrill you to the core, and isn?t one often taken. To reach Ushuaia, Argentina’s southernmost port, you?ll fly for twenty hours from the United States. Punta Arenas, Chile; Cape Town, South Africa, and Christchurch, New Zealand are other ports from which you could sail in an ice-rated cruise vessel. Once you leave out from the city you’ve chosen, it’s going to be several days of cruising the rough seas before you finally make it to Antarctica.

Bigger than the United States and Mexico put together, Antarctica is covered by ice shelves that make a surface much larger than North America, Europe and Greenland. The earth’s surface indents in the area because the continent is so heavy. And, it holds 70 percent of all the earth’s fresh water. Cruises are available from ten to twenty-eight days in length. Ships usually host somewhere between 75 and 200 passengers. Don?t expect the same amenities as ships that sail in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. These ships are going to be teaching you things about Antarctica’s natural science and the history of the continent.

The ships utilize smaller rafts to land passengers in various locations on Antarctica. You might choose to visit a penguin rookery or seal colony. Perhaps you’ll visit a research station where scientists are trying to find out how Antarctic fish keep from freezing or global warming issues.

The original five signors of the international agreement on Antarctica maintain science research facilities on the continent. These countries agreed that Antarctica must be border-free, commerce-free and nuclear-free. They created an area of protection for science learning.

Some think this eco-tourism is dangerous. When a DC-10 plane crashed in 1979, flyover tourism halted. Antarctica?s fragile ecosystem must be protected from all tourism, according to environmentalists. The limitation of Antarctic tourism is debated by scientists, environmentalists, and politicians alike. They want to protect Antarctica. But a person who has visited Antarctica can also be a very strong force for good.

Right now tourists are not regulated. But there are rules that one must abide by when visiting the terrain. Leave the natives alone, take only pictures and leave only footprints. Clothing that allows for layering is the best choice for this trip. Ships will usually provide warm parkas for you, but you’ll need to supply your own socks and waterproof footwear. Don’t forget your own camera, sunglasses and very strong sun block. You may find some to buy onboard, but they’ll be super expensive, and there aren’t any convenience stores in Antarctica.