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Culture September 6, 2016
When we think of vacations, we think of Florida, the Bahamas, Paris or Puerto Rico. We think of sunlight, warmth, beaches and a thriving culture to explore. But what if we told you that you could have more?
Although many men and women don’t ever think of Antarctica as a vacation destination, they should. It’s the only place in the world that has remained almost completely pure of human adulteration. In Antarctica, wildlife flourishes, icebergs drift and peace abounds. If you’re looking for a placid yet adventurous vacation where you’ll sail away with once-in-a-lifetime memories and bragging rights to match, Antarctica is the vacation spot for you. Here are ENTITY’s top seven reasons why you should go—but we promise, these are only the tip of the iceberg.
Although historically, many nations have laid claim to various territories of Antarctica, no one has established a permanent settlement. As a place where penguins, seals, whales and dolphins can roam unbothered by pollution, Antarctica is the wildlife reserve of the world. Only 1,000 to 5,000 humans live here at a time, and the largest land animal is a bug less than half an inch long. If you’re searching for a retreat from the world of constant Facebook alerts, celebrity gossip and business meetings, you’ve found it!
Deception Island is the most eerie and tragically beautiful vacation site that you could ever visit. True to its name, Deception Island is covered in snow despite it being an active volcano. Its beaches are filled with black sand, creating a sharp contrast to its populous colonies of chin strap penguins. You can even whale watch from the shore. And, unlike any other area of the Antarctic, steam from the volcano’s heat rises through holes in the sand. In fact, you can sit and dig your feet into the hot sand while the air plunges below freezing at 26.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of the most beautiful places in Antarctica, the Lemaire Channel is not a destination to be missed. The scenic channel is only 5,250 feet wide at its broadest point, enclosing men and women in towering icebergs as they sail in small boats on placid waters. If you need a backdrop for your next Facebook photo, this is it!
Watching penguins slip, slide and swim as they waddle with energy is one of the main sources of entertainment in Antarctica. Some trips will even allow you to sleep alongside penguins and snow leopards as you camp on shore.
Antarctica is run by a diverse array of wildlife. Here, mankind is a mere visitor. So if you go without seeing the whales, you’re missing half of Antarctica’s animal kingdom majesty. Sailing on the zodiacs (smaller inflatable passenger boats) allows tourists to get up close and personal with the whales in a way few other men and women can.
Port Lockroy is really the only permanent settlement in Antarctica, established by the British in the early 20th century. It is now Antarctica’s only public post office and is also the home of a museum that tourists continuously rank as a must-see. You’ll be amazing at how much you grow during your visit to Antarctica – in knowledge, experience and tolerance of the cold!
The destination is only half the adventure. The journey down from Argentina to Antarctica is an entertaining one. For almost a day of sailing, voyagers are surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean meeting the sky in every direction. However, this voyage is known for its notoriously turbulent waters, especially in the Drake Passage, which is home of some of the roughest waves in the world. But if you’re ready for an adventure, grab your ticket, pack your bags and prepare to dive into the culture of Antarctica!
