(We've received a report from a staff member of Tokyo Sea Life Park who went on an Antarctic expedition. Although the communication environment using satellite phones was challenging, the images arrived safely. Following on from last time, here is the second installment of the Antarctic report.)

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The three members of the Antarctic research team departed from Narita on February 3, 2002, and arrived in Santiago, the capital of Chile, on February 4, on the opposite side of the world from Japan.

Santiago is currently in the middle of summer. The temperature is over 30 degrees Celsius, which feels extremely hot to us who have come from wintery Tokyo. After coordinating with relevant organizations and checking the survey equipment in Santiago, we traveled approximately 2000 kilometers south from Santiago and arrived in Punta Arenas on February 7th.

Punta Arenas, located at the southernmost tip of Chile, is a port town on the Strait of Magellan. It developed thanks to immigrants from Europe, particularly Spain. In the center of town stands a bronze statue of Magellan and the indigenous people of the region. Legend says that travelers who touch the feet of the indigenous people here will be able to return to this land again.

We also prayed for a safe journey before departing for King George Island. If the weather remains good, we will be heading to King George Island by small plane on February 9th.

Photo: Magellan and indigenous statues in Punta Arenas

[Tokyo Sea Life Park @ Punta Arenas]

★ Please send us your questions about Antarctica! ★

What is Antarctica like? What kinds of creatures live there? What is life like for the staff in Antarctica? --I imagine relatively few people have been to Antarctica. So, we'll use satellite phones and other means to ask our staff currently in Antarctica the questions we've received from our readers. Feel free to ask anything about Antarctica, such as what it's like underwater, penguins, land animals, or the food at their accommodations. Please send your questions to webmaster@tokyo-zoo.net! (Note: Submissions are now closed)

(February 8, 2002)

◎Previous "Antarctic Reports" (Added March 1, 2002)
[1] Just before departure - I'm going to collect specimens and conduct research in the Antarctic Circle (February 1, 2002)
[2] The Eve of the Antarctic Trip - From Narita to Santiago, and then arrival in Punta Arenas (February 8, 2002)
[3] Arrival in Antarctica! -- From Punta Arenas to King George Island (February 15, 2002)
[4] Collection completed ── Ready for shipping! (February 22, 2002)
[5] Final Episode - Collected Specimens Arrive Safely (March 1, 2002)