The second occurrence was the arrival by mail of a travel pamphlet from Viking Expeditions. Apparently the undersigned, in another life (?) has traveled with these Norsemen and Valkyries, for the thick brochure had not only the name spelled correctly but also a passenger, client number. Frankly, cruises anywhere do not appeal at all. But a vapid interest in the brochure, triggered certainly by the ennui that is hard to alleviate these days resulted in a perusal of possible journeys. Surprise! Viking now will take you on a cruise of the Antarctic Ocean, making landfall at the international scientific station and with some exploration among other stops. Prices beginning from $19,495 for 13 days. Longer trips into the polar zone are also available. Airfare to Rio included, of course. (But. The rich of the 21st century are an ecological threat to Antarctica. The cruise ships belch effluents and the fragile ecosystem simply cannot bear the impact of bipeds, excepting penguins, of course.)
Then the third, this a happenstance in the local library. The new books shelf displayed a wonderful work about a marine attempt to reach the South Pole. Which ended up as the very first exploration that over-wintered in Antarctica, trapped in ice. The author is Julian Sancton, the title “Madhouse at the end of the World.” Published last year, it is the culmination of five years of a labour of love for the author, who first encountered the “Belgica” in a 2015 spring New Yorker article, which suggested that the historic event may provide lessons for space travel, notably to Mars. What is the difference?
(Read more: Estonian Life No. 10 2022 paber- and PDF/digi)
Tõnu Naelapea, Toronto
