A Tour off the Grid; to the realm below 0 degrees.

Do you think it's possible that someone can actually settle down and decide to take a vacation trip to a desert, only, this one is an ice desert, a place that almost never sees the wrath of the sun

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‎A continent and a country of it's now, not sharing space with any other country, "Antarctica".

‎Located in the southern hemisphere, sorrounding the south pole.

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‎Fun fact: Antarctica has no permanent inhabitants, no polar bears and no reptiles and is a birth place to only 11 people, also does not have a fixed time zone.

‎Though, Antarctica does not have an official, universally recognized flag because it is not a country and has no sovereign government, several unofficial and proposed flags are used by researchers, international organizations, and the global Antarctic community.

‎The Most Popular Design Created in 2018( True South), is the Antarctic flag designed in Antarctica and is widely supported by polar research programs. It features a white peak over a dark navy blue.With the blue representing the long polar night and the deep ocean surrounding the continent.and White, representing the massive ice sheets and glaciers that cover 98% of Antarctica.

‎Antarctica has no official language, though English is the official language for communication.

‎There's also no official currency, but the use of US dollars and British pounds are acceptable for tourists.

‎You'd also not be suprised that there's no fixed religion.

‎All these are because, it has no permanent population, no government, and is not a sovereign country. 

‎Just almost like a free world 

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‎Hmmm, I wonder what else we can discover about this realm.

‎Let's see if they at least have a meal or recipe you could try out if your curiosity ever lands you there.

‎So, here's what I found out, because Antarctica has no indigenous population, it has no native culinary culture or national dishes.But, thank goodness, I'm able to offer you three edibles, explorers ate during their discovery age for survival.

‎Sledging Biscuits: Extremely dense, thick, and plain buttery crackers. They were baked to be nearly indestructible so they would not break during transit. Explorers ate them with butter or cheese.

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‎Pemmican: A highly concentrated bar made of dried meat, dried fruit, and rendered animal fat. 

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‎For a main dish, there's Hoosh: A thick, hot porridge made by boiling pemmican and crushed sledging biscuits together in melted snow. It was the primary hot meal for early expeditions to stay alive.

‎Funny, that the main dish is a combo of the two snacks.

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‎You know you're heading to "freeze" itself, and I believe you don't want to end up being an artifact yourself, I wonder what it'd be called.., " a pillar of ice" seems like a nice name.

‎Alright, to avoid that, here are outfit Suggestions for you, as you already know that Antarctica is not like your neutral Brazil, Maldives and the rest.

‎You'll literally have to become a walking onion, wrapped in layers of clothing.

‎Whether male or female, I'm sure none would want to be that pillar I spoke about.

1. ‎Under layers:

‎Base layers are key to staying warm in Antarctica, both top and bottoms, as they trap air close to your body and can be added or subtracted until you hit a happy medium. It's recommended you don’t wear cotton, instead choose merino wool, silk or polyester as they retain body heat far better.

‎Its smart to bring several different warm layers, so you can layer up according to the weather and activity.  

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‎2. Outer layers:

‎As rides to and from the ship can get splashy, you will definitely need a weatherproof outer 'shell' comprising both a jacket and waterproof trousers. Many of the ships provide a complimentary outer jacket, which will be waiting for you in your cabin and can be taken home to wear again and again.

‎Similarly, for waterproof trousers, skiing trousers/pants work really well and can be layered up with thermal leggings underneath. 

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‎3. Gloves & socks:

‎Best luxury Antarctica cruise

‎Hands and feet are the first things to get cold when you are out on excursions. There are some excellent "tog-rated" thick thermal socks available nowadays – get them in a ski boot length and these will keep your feet toasty.

‎For your hands, a pair of waterproof ski-style gloves are a must, and ski mittens are even better for keeping your fingers warm. Of course, these are no good for taking photos, so, a thin pair of liner gloves underneath; those with a touch-sensitive finger pad will allow you to take photos on a phone more easily. 

• ‎South Shetland Islands:

‎The South Shetland Islands are among the continent’s most visited areas. This magnificent location contains eleven major and several minor islands. Featuring fjords and glaciers, the Islands are also habitats for penguins and elephant seals. 

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• ‎Drake Passage:

‎The dramatic Drake Passage is an icy, wide and deep waterway – 4,800 meters at its deepest point – between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. It is notoriously treacherous due to strong currents and winds; on the other hand, boat passengers can observe several sea bird species, including albatrosses.

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• ‎South Georgia Island:

‎With no airstrip, South Georgia Island is accessible only by sea. The Island is a habitat for several species of penguins, as well as seals and a variety of sea birds. 

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• ‎Lemaire Channel:

‎This is considered one of the most photogenic locales in the Antarctic region. Ice cliffs lining the Channel keeps the waters relatively calm – it is also a haven for sea birds and marine life.

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• ‎Taylor Glacier ( Blood falls):

‎The lily white ice of the glacier is being stained a deep red by water flowing from deep within the glacier.

‎In 2017, it was discovered that the mystery red colour was from a sub-lake high in salt and oxidized iron, that when the iron came in contact with air, the iron rusted, giving it the red shade.

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‎As Antarctica is not a sovereign nation, you'd be more concerned keeping yourself safe than striving to adhere to rules.

‎1. Do Pack Appropriately:

‎Planning is crucial for a successful Antarctic adventure. The weather is unpredictable, and temperatures can drop significantly. That's why to your packing, you may also have to add, a lined woolly hat – make sure it can be pulled down to cover your ears from bracing winds,UV protective sunglasses, to combat the reflections from snow and water,high factor sun cream, lip balm, and buff or neck gaiter.

‎Oh,Your swimwear for the polar plunge!

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‎2. Do Respect Wildlife

‎Antarctica is home to incredible wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales. Always maintain a safe distance from animals to avoid disturbing them.

‎3. Do Prepare for Motion Sickness

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‎Things you should avoid doing.

‎1.Don't litter:

‎Always take all waste, including food scraps and personal hygiene products, back to the ship for proper disposal.

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‎2. Don't Stray from Designated Paths:

‎When on land, stick to designated paths to minimize your impact on the fragile ecosystem. 

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‎3. Don't Remove Natural Items:

‎Do not take any natural souvenirs from Antarctica. This includes rocks, shells, or plants. 

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‎4. Don't Ignore Safety Instructions

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‎5. Don't Smoke or Use Open Flames

‎Smoking and the use of open flames are generally prohibited . Fires can spread rapidly in such dry, cold environments. 

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‎6. Don't Engage in Unauthorized Activities

‎Activities such as diving, kayaking, or camping require special permits and expertise. 

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‎So, my dear reader if you ever find yourself on the other side of the planet, this article should suffice as your lifeline to a safe and splendid vacation.

‎Bye!!