A Post Office in Antarctica? You Betcha!
Yes, there is a Post office in Antarctica at Port Lockroy
It seems that everyone is trying to lay claim to the continent of Antarctica.
We were told that Chile sent a newlywed couple to conceive a child in Antarctica in 1978 to legitimize their claim to the continent. Argentina was not impressed by this event so they sent a pregnant woman to give birth to her child in Antarctica, thus being the first citizen of the seventh continent. So, what did the British do to make their claim stronger?
They opened a post office of course.
The babies were already born, so a governmental body made sense to be the next natural progression.
People swarm to Port Lockroy to send a post card home to their loved ones and explore the museum which used to be an old British Outpost.
It is also a museum set up exactly as it was during the hey day of Port Lockroy.
The base is now an historic site for people to explore and get a glimpse as to what life was like for researchers and whalers living in Antarctica during the 1940′s to the 1960′s.
The kitchen was left as is, there are bunks and barracks and even the old radio room is in tact.
The researchers kept their favourite movie stars and bombshells close to their hearts and painted their images on the walls.
It’s also home to a penguin colony who decided to join the researchers after they arrived.
Check out Quark Expeditions for planning your own Antarctic Expedition. Mention ThePlanetD Travel Blog and receive 5% off your booking - 5% can be redeemed on any voyage and be combinable with any of Quark’s promotions.
Comments
19 Responses to A Post Office in Antarctica? You Betcha!
Leave a Reply
Partner with Us
ThePlanetD is one of the top travel blogs on the Internet. We work with brands and tourism boards to help bridge the gap between the corporation and consumer. To find out how you can work with us, visit our Media/Advertise page.Write for Us
Travel Resources
Connect with Us
Log in -
Development by MWL Development -
Designed by Gabfire Themes
Google+
So, did you post me a letter? ;P
Beautiful photo! I hope I get to send a letter from there someday.
Fun to see this ‘space race’ to lay claim, and the museum actually looks very cool. Great photos as well.
A post office in Antarctica?! But of course! Where else would I mail my postcards from? Neat find, guys!
Oh I was hoping you’d say there were Antartica stamps
Nice sharing of photo..How I wish I could visit this place someday its a beautiful place to visit..
How cool! Sometimes I mail myself postcards from the really fun post offices. Some of my favorites have been the northernmost post office in Svalbard and the Santa Claus Post Office in Rovaniemi, Finland!
already on my list of places to go! made it as far as Punta Arenas……I think Antarctica as part of a cruise would be nice
Good old British! How long were you there for?
Wonder if the penguins send mail out as well… Interesting post!
Pingback: Share The Love | Top 10 Blog Posts of May 2012
How cool. I got a postcard from Antarctica earlier this year, and thought that postal stamp was just about the coolest thing ever.
Antarctica is the place I would most like to visit in the world! It’s such an interesting, creepy, lonely place. When I was at uni in Christchurch, New Zealand, I was tempted to take some science or geography papers that would actually have involved going on a trip to Antarctica – I wish I had now!
How much is for post stamp?
This is quite cool to know. Quite a wonderful experience…
Such a nice collection of photos.I really feel amazed after seeing this.
Never in my dreams did I think that there exists a post office in Antarctica!!!
This is just amazing.
Me either. It’s such a fun thing. I guess back in the day, ships passing through would take mail home for researchers and eventually they must have thought, let’s make a proper post office for everyone!
Didn’t know there was postal service in Antarctica, interesting.