The traveler told how do Ukrainians live in Antarctica

Ukrainian traveler Alexander Marchenko told about the lives of Ukrainian participants of the expedition at the station “Akademik Vernadsky” in Antarctica.

“In Antarctica there is a rule – do not approach animals closer than 5 meters. But the penguins that rule clearly didn’t and tried to come close. Marine mammals also almost did not react to the presence of humans due to the absence of hunting. Creatures do not perceive “Homo sapiens” as a threat,” says the traveler.

The Ukrainian Antarctic station “Akademik Vernadsky” located on the island of Galindez. By 1996, it was the station “Faraday”, which at the symbolic price of one pound British Antarctic Association was transferred to Ukraine. Ukraine renamed the gift “Akademik Vernadsky”. Now the station is twenty first Ukrainian expedition.

Marchenko also said that the station appeared to have their own traditions, for example, every Saturday organize gala dinners, or when all explorers gather at table in full dress – suits and ties. Also in winter is the feast of Midwinter, when in the Antarctic severe frosts. In the night from 21 to 22 June in pre-cut and highlighted by spotlights the hole crawls the entire expedition, and with clothes – nothing but a bathing suit and ties.

“The station has 12 people, all of them were professionals of the highest class. Chief of station Nikolay starinets in Antarctica for the eighth time. “Vernadsky” is a unique equipment which allows to measure the thickness of the ozone layer of the Earth. The received data is sent to international research centers,” says the traveler.

“After the completion of the expedition we avoid each other for several months – admitted explorers. Even on the ship that comes for us, we scatter to different corners, not to see a familiar face.”

Traveler Marchenko also noted the incredible purity that hold on to explorers, and a place of worship at the station bar.

“But truly a place of worship at the station is the southernmost on Earth bar “Faraday”. From the British inherited not only his name but also a true Antarctic spirit of adventure and expeditions. Black-and-white photos on the walls transport visitors back in the days when maps still had blank spots”, – shared his impressions of the traveler.