Is it possible to send a postcard from Antarctica?
"The most romantic thing I've ever done is write you a postcard from Antarctica."
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Where is the Antarctic Post Office?
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Port Lockroy, where the Antarctic Post Office is located, is located on Goudier Island. Its latitude is 64.8 degrees, not far from the Antarctic Circle's 66 degrees. Therefore, any single-island itinerary, especially one that crosses the Arctic Circle, offers the opportunity for a landing. However, please remember that all landing arrangements in Antarctica prioritize the safety of visitors and are subject to change if weather or sea conditions warrant.
How much does it cost to send a postcard from Antarctica and how long does it take to arrive?
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Postage from the Antarctic Post Office is just one US dollar, regardless of destination. Delivery times vary, ranging from a few weeks to several months. If you visit the post office at the end of the season, you'll need to wait until the Antarctic travel season begins and the post office reopens for your postcard to be delivered.
However, there have been cases where postcards sent from Antarctic post offices have not been received. To avoid this, readers may also consider asking the shipping company to send the post on their behalf, or to send it from a nearby post office after returning to the country of departure port.
Which country does the Antarctic Post Office belong to?
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To protect Antarctica and limit international activities on this uninhabited continent, the Antarctic Treaty stipulates that no country has actual sovereignty over Antarctica. However, this post office is an exception. It was built in 1944 on a former British military base and converted into a museum. Besides sending postcards, visitors can also purchase souvenirs. All proceeds go toward the museum's preservation and maintenance.
What's near Antarctica Post Office?
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In fact, the post office is only part of the building's purpose. It also includes a souvenir shop, a museum, and a whaling site. In addition, there are about 1,500 Gentoo Penguins living here.
Looking back at the history of Port Lockroy, between 1911 and 1931, ships from the whaling station would dock here while whalers set sail in search of their desired prey. During World War II, the British military established several secret military bases on the Antarctic continent to defend against enemy forces, including Port Lockroy's Base A. After the war, the base was transformed into a scientific research station, where personnel were stationed until 1962. For the next 34 years, Port Lockroy fell into disrepair and was abandoned. It was not until 1996 that the British Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKaht) funded the restoration of the area's buildings, reflecting its historical appearance from the 1950s and 1960s.
Then, it became the building that serves three purposes at the same time.
Going to work at the Antarctic Post Office?
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Did you know that the Antarctic Post Office handles at least 80,000 postcards and receives up to 18,000 passengers every year?
Therefore, each year the British Antarctic Heritage Trust (Ukaht) recruits at least three staff members and one manager to run the museum and post office. These are responsible for running the post office gift shop, monitoring the Gentoo penguin population, and mailing postcards. The manager's duties include coordinating all landing arrangements for Antarctic cruise ships.
However, this job with a starting salary of US$1,600 per month is not easy. First of all, you have to compete with more than 2,500 applicants from all over the world. Even if you stand out from the interview stage, the working environment is challenging. Because the Antarctic Post Office is located on the Antarctic continent, do you want to use running water and toilets? Do you want to easily access the Internet or call friends and family? Sorry, none of these are available. The four employees have bunk beds and share bathrooms and toilets. In addition, showers are only available when a cruise ship docks and can be used in turns on board. If none of these have deterred you, and you have legal working status or documents in the UK, then you are welcome to check in March every year.British Antarctic Heritage Trust (Ukaht)View recruitment details.
Want to go to the Antarctic Post Office and send your postcards by hand from October to March next year?Facebook, Instagram, orwrite a letterTalk to us about booking your cruise for next season.
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