Talk about your understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic and your expectations for future travel

For everyone who has been and will come to this continent, being here is a blessing. However, at the same time, coming here also means you have responsibilities. In December 2011, it was exactly one hundred years since humans reached the South Pole for the first time. A hundred years ago, in the vast wind and snow, what supported Amundsen and Scott to move forward without hesitation in the ice and snow? Putting aside honor, dreams, courage or pride, the driving force deep in the heart is probably the simplest human being. The thirst for the unknown: What will happen when the door opens? What is behind the mountain? How far is the horizon? It is this curiosity about the unknown that makes us step out of the house, let us embark on the journey, and keep us straight on the road. Since the heroic age, Cook, Bellingshausen, Shackleton and others have embarked on journeys to explore Antarctica again and again with this curiosity. This kind of exploration once represented the furthest footprint of mankind. Today, the most fearless explorers among us have set their sights on outer space, driven by the same inner drive as those who came before them a century ago. For ordinary people, Antarctica is also a symbol. On this planet, Antarctica means remoteness, mystery, unknown, and dreams. Ordinary people's desire and curiosity to go to Antarctica are no different from those of the heroes back then. In 1966, Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered the educational expedition tour so that Antarctica no longer belongs only to explorers, and the public can also have the opportunity to realize their Antarctic dream. Lindblad has received many honors including Sweden's "Royal Knight of the North Star" for advocating eco-travel, and has also been named one of the 20 greatest explorers of all time by Travelamp; Leisure magazine. Many people believe that Antarctica is the last piece of pure land, a holy land for mankind, and must be strictly protected and no one is allowed to come. However, Lindblad believes that "we cannot protect something we know nothing about." He firmly believes that people's personal experience is the best education. This kind of education can allow people to truly understand the special characteristics of the Antarctic environment, and then it is possible to further understand the important role Antarctica plays in the global ecosystem. Today, the expedition team composed of experts he pioneered has become the standard feature of Antarctic cruises, and this educational expedition has also evolved into the mainstream of Antarctic tourism. In 1991, in order to better coordinate and assist each other, seven Antarctic tourism operators that advocate environmental protection and responsible travel jointly established the International Association of Antarctic Tourism Organizations (IAATO). To date, more than 100 institutions around the world have participated. One of IAATO's main responsibilities is to provide a platform for practitioners to discuss how to coordinate, supervise, and improve standards to better protect Antarctica. The guidelines originally developed by IAATO for tourists and operators have also become part of the Antarctic Convention to guide travelers and non-governmental tourism organizations to Antarctica. Thanks to the Lindblads and IAATO, Antarctic travel has been inseparable from education and environmental protection from the beginning. Travel has always been considered the best way to communicate and understand each other between people and between people and places. Scientists rationally present the problems facing Antarctica to everyone in the form of data, while travelers use their sensibility to experience and share with the public this place that is still unfamiliar to most people, making us think about what Antarctica and protecting Antarctica mean. What. For everyone who has been and will come to this continent, being here is a blessing. However, at the same time, coming here also means you have responsibilities. I believe that as a smart and kind person, you will be respectful and travel in a way that is beneficial to the environment, culture and society of the travel destination. In Antarctica, a very special place, what does it mean to be respectful and responsible? Don’t compete with cute animals for rocks. Environmental pollution and garbage disposal are currently a worldwide problem. Therefore, leaving no waste behind is a fundamental responsibility. In fact, not only should you not take the initiative to throw away garbage or debris, but you should also try your best to avoid accidentally losing things. When landing, the less stuff you bring with you, the better. If you must use thin plastic bags, waterproof bags, or wear sun hats that are easily blown away by the wind, then you must manage your belongings more carefully. In the strong winds of Antarctica, losing things is a small matter, but polluting the environment is a big deal.

In addition, IAATO stipulates that all landing personnel are not allowed to defecate in the wild, are not allowed to burn any objects, and are not allowed to graffiti "come here" on stones or buildings. Also be careful not to take anything with you, not even a stone. Before coming to Antarctica, and even while I was in Antarctica, I personally received many text messages from friends asking me to bring stones back from Antarctica. According to the requirements of IAATO, tourists cannot take away anything such as stones, fossils, etc. In fact, there are very few exposed areas in the Antarctic continent. Stones are necessary for many species of penguins to build nests and courtship. It is difficult to convince yourself emotionally to compete with such a cute animal for stones. Show respect for local culture Respect comes from knowing and understanding. Before going to Antarctica, it is best to understand the local conditions as fully as possible, including history, environment, geology, astronomy, the more the merrier. In fact, the indigenous people of Antarctica are animals, including penguins, seals, and whales. When you get here, you must remember your identity as a guest. How to get along with animals? In principle, the initiative is given to these owners. When you get to the shore, you cannot block the path of the penguins, and the distance from the penguins cannot be shorter than five meters. If you want to get closer, the only way is to sit back and wait: sit down somewhere away from the path of the penguins. After a while, several penguins will come less than one meter away from you, look at you doubtfully, and have a small meeting. , and then Shi Shiran looked at people without money and shook them away. Of course, loud noises, feeding animals and even hugging penguins are absolutely not allowed. Be an Ambassador of Antarctica Antarctica is a magical place. Everyone who comes will be shocked by it, perhaps by its pure beauty, perhaps by the relationship between life and nature here, or perhaps by what you saw at that time and that moment. myself and those that touch. To feel this way is like a godsend. Everyone who has been there, everyone who has been moved by Antarctica, will cherish this feeling and this connection. For those who have been there, Antarctica is no longer a distant place name, a vain dream, a holy land shrouded in halo but unclear. It becomes real the moment you meet it. It is broad and strong, beautiful and fragile, its beauty is speechless, and its sound is so loud that everyone who is lucky enough to experience it is willing and duty-bound to become its ambassador and its spokesperson. Today, the biggest threat to Antarctica does come from humans, but perhaps not from tourists’ desire for paradise-like beauty, but from climate change and the hole in the ozone layer caused by human activities, and from our greed for unowned resources. Source: Outdoor Adventure