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with a gentle 10–30km/h breeze blowing. Getting during the soak allows sufficient time for the
in and finding the best place to enjoy the thermal change of clothing without much discomfort. This
waters is easy, but expedition guides remind entire experience is a memorable one, and unique
swimmers to pay close attention to the water in Antarctic travels. It forms the introduction for
temperature while soaking, as bursts of very hot travel stories for years to come: ‘I swam with
water may rise through the sand. An occasional penguins on Christmas morning in Antarctica’,
penguin may swim by. Non-swimmers clad in the can it get much better than that?
typical full cold weather gear gleefully snap photos
of those luxuriating in the warm water References
(Figure CS19.1). Some folks decide to take a
proper swim by heading into deeper water and Antarctic Treaty Signatories (2005) ‘Management Plan
taking a few strokes. It stays shallow for a distance for Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 4,
and while the water cools off, it doesn’t get cold. Deception Island, South Shetland Islands,
When the time comes to leave, bathers RUN Antarctica’, www.deceptionisland.aq/documents/
to the lee of the zodiacs, dry off as best as they can deception_island_management_package.pdf,
accessed 18 January 2009
and quickly don expedition clothing with as IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour
much decorum as possible under the chilly Operators) (2008) ‘2008–2009 Statistic’, www.iaato.
circumstances. Fortunately, the heat ‘baked in’ org/tourism_stats.html, accessed 18 January 2009

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