offbeat travel factoid

[steve2470]

Hey, we'd all like to travel to the South Pole in Antarctica, right ?

Ok, I'm an oddball. I'd love to go.

Only one small problem.

Cash. Rather, the lack of it. Unless you want to work for the NSF.

Cost to fly there:

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(make sure you're firmly seated on your chair)

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$45,000.00

Yes, you read that correctly. I guess I'm never going. I don't know that I want to work for NSF.

[LynneSin]

1. There are cruises that can take you there that are much more reasonable prices

http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/en/antarctic

[steve2470]

2. not to the South Pole itself

You can get to the coast and more northerly parts much cheaper, yes. But to actually go to the South Pole...it's 45K. I've looked. You have to fly to get to the SP, unless you work for NSF.

eta: You had a good suggestion. I might take a much cheaper cruise eventually. The South Pole is really out of reach for anyone that's not a scientist, NSF employee or just damn rich. Sorry, didn't mean to stomp on your suggestion.

[mainer]

3. Son of a friend worked there. There's no reason for a tourist to go.

No animals, no sightseeing. It's just blowing winds and cold and, at the right time of year, the southern lights.

He worked for a research company (although he couldn't talk about it so I wonder what their research was...) The employees sign on for a whole year, and spend their off-hours reading, watching videos, listening to their colleagues' lectures, and maybe going outside for a few hours a day, when it wasn't too cold. It sounds like it'd be a great place to catch up on your reading or writing. At certain times of year, you are trapped there and can't leave.

I think you'd probably have a better time heading up north, to Norway or something.

[Brother Buzz]

4. If one masters Haute Cuisine a French research station might hire you

[pinboy3niner]

5. Some guys can't get past Antarctica's biggest drawback

[steve2470]

6. lol and freezing to death quickly :) nt