This rookery, which is only one mile square, is home to over 70,000 pairs of penguins, who come up to my thigh. They are smartly dressed in their black and white feathers, and waddle about, sliding on the slippery rock surface.

You can watch them as they preen themselves, send any other penguins away that aren’t part of their nest, and defend their families against aggressive seals. The penguin chicks, little brown fluffy balls of down, are always chattering away. They hit their heads on their parents? gullets in an attempt to get 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.Contact this website if you require information on antarctica travel adventures.

Penguins aren’t nearly as adorable as people usually believe.They are belligerent and demanding. And, they stink.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.

There’s more to Antarctica than just penguins, though.You’ll see all manner of sea birds, albatross, seals, dolphins, whales, and amazingly beautiful icebergs that look like mystical creatures of legend.Glacier spires exist there that shame even the finest cathedrals in Europe.There is also the rush you can get from visiting a place that only a handful of people have ever been before. The world?s final border, Antarctica is the last frontier.

Making your way to this land is one aspect of the adventure.The trip, though rarely taken, will be stimulating, unique and costly.If leaving from the United States, the air travel just to get to a southern port alone, like Ushuaia, Argentina, is going to take at least 20 hours. There are a few other places you can start your cruise to Antarctica from, such as Punta Arenas, Chile, Christchurch, New Zealand, or Cape Town, South Africa. You can still only reach the land by sea; and you must endure several days of rough water to get to Antarctica.Further information on antarctic travel can be found there.

It’s bigger than the entirety of the United Statesand Mexico put together. The continent of Antarctica has ice shelves on all sides, which measure out to an area which is larger than Greenland, Europe and all of North America combined. This comprises about 70% of all of the fresh water on Earth, and the area is so massive that it deforms the surface of the Earth.Once you choose your destination of Antarctica, you will be able to choose an itinerary of anywhere from 10 to 28 days. Usually, trips which travel to Antarctica are on the small side, carrying a maximum of 200 people.The ships are vastly different than those you?ll find on Caribbean or Mediterranean cruises.For instance, instead of casinos you can go to, you will be able to attend lectures about Antarctica.

Once you are close enough to the continent, the ships will provide rafts that take the passengers to land that is close to penguin rookeries or scientific research stations where you can learn more about what the scientists are studying in the Antarctic.

In order to preserve Antarctica for learning, the original five signors of the international Antarctica agreement said the continent should remain commerce, border and nuclear ?free. These five countries have research facilities on the continent.

Some people harbor the concern that touring Antarctica is a serious hazard. There once was flyover tourism of Antarctica, but in 1979 a plane crashed and killed 257 people. There is concern by scientists and environmentalists that Antarctica is going to become a tourist hotspot, which will harm the ecosystem that is in place. The debate on tourism to Antarctica rages between politicians, scientists and environmentalists.The first argument is for the protection of Antarctica. They must also think about the good a returning tourist can spread.

Right now tourists are not regulated.Eco-tourism?s basic ideas do hold true for those visiting Antarctica.You are not allowed to disturb the natives, and you should only take photos and leave footprints. When packing for the trip, you need to keep in mind to pack clothing you can layer. Extra socks are a must, as are your own waterproof, waffle-soled boots. The ship will probably have a down-filled parka for you.Make sure to pack your camera, as well as sunscreen and sunshades, because you aren’t going to find anywhere to buy these things on the continent and the ship will charge ridiculous prices for them.