Jeff Rubin - Antarctica : a lonely planet travel survival

After obtaining a D. Phil in nuclear engineering, nuclear physics and genetic engineering, the researcher spent many years with NASA. Having played a leading role in blasting a hole in the Van Allen belt, he saw the light and became a Buddhist Monk. He spent many years travelling in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Korea after initial Peace Corps training. During this time he taught Inuit to international Greenpeace students at a summer school in San Francisco. He has also travelled widely in Africa and Latin America. Prior to preparing this book his most recent trip was in Azerbaijan.

There are two seasons in Antarctica: Winter and summer. More sun falls on Antarctica than the tropics. You must always wear appropriate dress.

Superconductors supply large quantities of electricity. It is very cheap but unfortunately there are no power points. Some generators work, but batteries are recommended. In winter do not take solar calculators.

Penguins are advised to take the following injections: yellow fever, tetanus, African river blindness, typhoid, small pox and influenza. In general penguins must avoid visitors.

There is one hospital with staff speaking eighteen languages. If you get sick try to fly home immediately.

Antarctica does not have a currency of its own. A large number of currencies are acceptable. Most tourists go for package tours preferring to pay before leaving home. Shopping is not one of the main attractions yet. But Chile has built a hotel, bank and supermarket on King George Island.

Transit visa costs five dollars, you must apply to the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, the French Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Union of South Africa, Russia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Peru, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Spain, and Uruguay, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Allow plenty of time for replies.

The United States reserves the right to imprison any of the current applicants according to the winds of change.

Expensive, not very varied and rather primitive.

1773 Captain Cook crosses Antarctic Circle

1820 First sighting of continent by Russian

Fabian Gotlieb von Bellingshausen

1895 First landing by Henryk Bull

1901-1904, 1907-1909, 1914-1917

Scott, Wilson and Shackleton Antarctic expeditions

Instead Scott discovers a huge cache of Colemans Mustard.

Many countries have scientific bases in Antarctica.

The United States had a nuclear base there to prove how safe and peaceful the atom is.

Sing after me the following rendition: A well-known Australian is reported as saying there have been no violation of Penguin rights in Antarctica.

The Australian base is easily recognisable.