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Original poster

I REALLY want to go to Antarctica. Has anyone here been?

84 replies

StressedOutSemolina · 09/12/2023 10:01

I mean it's pretty much impossible considering one weekend trip would swamp my entire life savings... but I've decided I'm winning the lottery tonight so it's cool.

No pun intended!

Minus 60 apparently. I'm having a hard time actually imagining that temperature and what it feels like.

But I'd bloody well love to go. Whales, penguins, the purest scenery on earth and complete and utter peace.

OP posts:
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Lantyslee · 09/12/2023 14:02

I know someone who volunteered at a research station. He had a poorly paid seasonal job in the UK so I assume it was relatively affordable. It also meant he had time off work during the northern hemisphere winter so he was able to commit to going for a while.

Museum10662 · 09/12/2023 15:14

it would be intriguing to know whats under all the snow and ice

Original poster
StressedOutSemolina · 09/12/2023 15:49

Museum10662 · 09/12/2023 15:14

it would be intriguing to know whats under all the snow and ice

Yes definitely! I wonder how far down people have been (meaning scientists and professional explorers etc)

OP posts:
MooseBeTimeForSnow · 09/12/2023 15:56

I live in Northern Alberta, Canada. We often get -40 in deep winter. My Facebook feels me it was that cold this time last year, but it has been very mild so far this year.

We hosted the Arctic Winter Games in February. We had competitors from Greenland. It was their first time seeing trees!

Museum10662 · 09/12/2023 16:17

StressedOutSemolina · 09/12/2023 15:49

Yes definitely! I wonder how far down people have been (meaning scientists and professional explorers etc)

Show quote history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piri_Reis_map#Antarctic_claims

Piri Reis map - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piri_Reis_map#Antarctic_claims

Owlcat42 · 09/12/2023 18:12

Museum10662 · 09/12/2023 15:14

it would be intriguing to know whats under all the snow and ice

C’mon you know it’s Elder Things, shoggoths and probably Cthulhu

catzrulz · 09/12/2023 20:47

Join the Navy, my sailor is on this ship and loving life!

www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/units-and-squadrons/survey/hms-protector

Museum10663 · 09/12/2023 20:49

im sure there is so much to earths true history that would make dr who, stargate etc basic intro reading

bythere · 09/12/2023 21:00

What's really amazing is that no know humans ever even saw it until 1820. No one supposedly ever reached the South Pole until 1911 either.

Croissantsandpistachio · 09/12/2023 21:08

There's a lovely little documentary on iPlayer called The Merthyr Mermaid which is about a woman who ice swims at the Antarctic (no wetsuit!). She's nails.

Billybagpuss · 09/12/2023 21:13

@Jellifer is the polar plunge something they offer on every trip? We’ve been saving for 2 years hoping to go 2025 and swim in the Antarctic is something I would love to do. I assume everyone was in skins and I don’t have to lug a transatlantic wetsuit?

jersydress · 09/12/2023 21:14

I'm uneasy reading this thread - talking about Antarctica as a tourist destination...
Surely, bigger volume of people visiting will have a negative impact to the place pretty quickly.

wishfulthinking16 · 09/12/2023 21:14

I went to Antarctica on a photographic cruise for a big birthday. Scenery and wildlife is stunning.

We saw 3 emperor penguins, which was so lucky as they are usually further south or inland.

No pooing or weeing on land. You have to go before disembarking and wait until you're back on the ship later. Wearing so many layers, it would be nigh on impossible to have a wild wee, but forbidden anyway.

Drake Passage was calm on way out but really choppy on return. I was seasick only once.

wishfulthinking16 · 09/12/2023 21:25

@jersydress we chose a reputable company and ship to travel with, with limited numbers of guests and high quality guides and wildlife experts to ensure we left only footprints.

The huge ships are a concern, but the rules don't allow the passengers to disembark from the larger ships.

It was a once in a lifetime trip for us. Cost will limit numbers of visitors.

Museum10664 · 09/12/2023 21:26

jersydress · 09/12/2023 21:14

I'm uneasy reading this thread - talking about Antarctica as a tourist destination...
Surely, bigger volume of people visiting will have a negative impact to the place pretty quickly.

Techinally most places are

cristokitty · 09/12/2023 21:47

I went 15 years ago with GAdventures. It was amazing. We saw whales, went kayaking, took a freezing cold dip in the water, slept in tents that looked like body bags overnight and saw so many nosy penguins. I was backpacking around the world at the time and felt a bit sick spending so much money on a 14 day tour but I forgot that as soon as I stepped foot on the ice.

IBegYourBiggestPardon · 09/12/2023 22:49

ImTiredBoss · 09/12/2023 11:44

I follow a woman on Tiktok who lives on Svalbard, an island close to the North Pole (I know that's the Arctic, not Antarctica). It looks so beautiful; the polar nights, the northern lights, the snow. Honestly 24/7 darkness in the winter months and constant cold weather sounds amazing to me, but then I always was a bit of a weirdo Grin

I follow her on Facebook and YouTube. The place looks amazing

Original poster
StressedOutSemolina · 10/12/2023 09:53

jersydress · 09/12/2023 21:14

I'm uneasy reading this thread - talking about Antarctica as a tourist destination...
Surely, bigger volume of people visiting will have a negative impact to the place pretty quickly.

I wouldn't worry mate. Not many of us have £4,677,778,432 to spare 🤣

OP posts:
jersydress · 10/12/2023 10:01

Geez! I feel better now. Lol.

Sidebeforeself · 10/12/2023 10:10

This has been a dream of mine for years and DH has said just go ( he doesn’t fancy it!) . I retire soon and it could be a gift to myself … but I can’t shake the thought of the environmental impact. I know All travel has impact, but there’s a kind of irony in wanting to see such a beautiful place and knowingly adding to its decline. But I don’t blame others for going and would still love to do it

Original poster
StressedOutSemolina · 10/12/2023 10:12

Sidebeforeself · 10/12/2023 10:10

This has been a dream of mine for years and DH has said just go ( he doesn’t fancy it!) . I retire soon and it could be a gift to myself … but I can’t shake the thought of the environmental impact. I know All travel has impact, but there’s a kind of irony in wanting to see such a beautiful place and knowingly adding to its decline. But I don’t blame others for going and would still love to do it

For fucks sake we're a long time dead just go

OP posts:
DollyParsons · 10/12/2023 10:17

Greenland for me too. Am fascinated by it. Would love to go to Antarctica but would be nervous about rough seas in Drake Passage - as well as the bankruptcy I'd face after paying for it.

Sidebeforeself · 10/12/2023 10:28

@StressedOutSemolina No need to be like that! You could say that about anything but we all have our different opinions on what we feel comfortable with . Like I said I’m not criticising anyone else for going.