the most remote place on earth
The Kerguelen Islands are often called the most remote location on the planet. Also called the Desolation Islands these islands owned by France are located in a sub Arctic cold region with constant winds and rough seas. The main big island -Grand Terre - has sometimes been called the 8th continent due to its uniqueness. There is no air transport. Traffic comes here by ship only. The area is practically equidistant from most land areas. Almost due south by 5,000 miles from Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1-2,000 miles southwest of Perth Australia, 1200 + miles southeast of Tanararive Madagascar and 1,000 miles north of the Antarctic coast line.
This location is in the heart of the South Indian Ocean, itself remote. The area is truly on the other side of the world from the United States and Canada (not China) The Indian Ocean itself is in the most remote location sea lane wise. It is outside the main global chain of > Asian mainland to North America to Europe
When I read about the missing Malaysian airliner, MH370, I grimaced over the grueling, ultimately inconclusive search that was undertaken. Remnants of debris were found from Perth to Madagascar.
The Kerguelen cabbage Only native flora on the islands along with a few grasses
Only the dominant cabbage and some grasses are native. There is no native fauna. There is however, much introduced fauna. Rats escaping from visiting ships slipped into the hinterland and quickly multiplied. Eradication programs have had some success. Most flora are native to Madagascar Mauritius and other islands close to Africa and have been brought in.
There are no more than 40 buildings scattered on the islands. These are occupied by French climate research technicians There is inclement weather over 300 days per year. Rain, sleet, snow, all varieties virtually guaranteeing an indoor existence for the few technician settlers.
In studying these islands it becomes apparent how isolation can form and shape a society. The continent of Australia which I recently wrote about is affected by isolated factors which resulted in many aberrant species like marsupials dwelling there. Here further west and more isolated there are few if any native species at all!
We see the same movements here in Wealthy Affiliate. Many people live to post as I do. All are not at peace with this existence. This has resulted in a Facebook, Linked In and other social media exodus. I have to come to concrete terms on adaptation or migration. It's going to be an interesting year!
Recent Comments
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Terrific stuff Michael, I sailed with a chap who had been in the area as a young fisherman - he was was hardy believe me. Even he said the weather was, "Beastly!" He was from the Philippines and had sailed in those small long liners registered in Taiwan. They would set sail from home carrying only fresh water (drinking only), tea and rice. You had to enjoy fish stew, and many months of it, to survive.
Yours aye.
Your blog was very informative of the Islands. I found the rats coming out of this ship very interesting. because I'm watching The worst jobs in America crab fishing. You really excel in your writing. The
island sounds like paradise. Plus I love cabbage, lol
Peace💗
I thought our WA blogs were intended for posting about Wealthy Affiliate and online business topics.
Good afternoon Laurie,
Thank God Wealthy Affiliate is not that restrictive, we do have some freedom here.
As long as we do not mention politics or religion you can write about a lot of topics. As we are people from all over the world we also learn on a, how should I say this, human level.
Reading about different cultures etc makes us understand we are all equal with the same wishes, hopes and dreams.
In my eyes that makes Wealthy Affiliate so special.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Good afternoon Laurie,
If everybody would stick 100% to the number 3 rule then there would be hardly any posts to read.
As nobody is forced to read a post, if you do not like the title just skip it.
If the offense were so serious I am sure that Kyle and Carson would have put a stop to it ages ago.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
p.s. the name Guidelines says it all. A little flexibility has never harmed either.
... And if everybody wrote posts like this, the WA platform would look like Wikipedia instead of an online business platform.
Who's telling who off? You're the one who took issue with my comment to begin with. Have you finished critiquing my comment?
You see Laurie, we do have the freedom to critique a little. I think we should stop here and take it with a grain of salt.
All the best, Taetske
p.s. Come on Laurie, let us be friendly
.
I am sending you the link to my latest WA post. I only write 1 each month. I warn you as it is not a 100% WA post only partly. Would it pass the test? Celebrating 4 years with my Technical Manager, Shrink and Sounding Board All the best, Taetske
Hi, Mike.
What exactly is the point here?
Somehow, I got lost.
Maybe my terms of understanding are different.
Cheers,
Paul.
Mike, your usual great stuff! I thought I had been to most areas of the world, but you stumped me here! True, people are migrating around searching for that pot of gold - I ain't found the rainbow yet, but I'm happy at WA. Gonna stay.
Great job as always.
Joe
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Good afternoon Mike,
Sorry, I did not understand the last bit of your post.
Interesting post but the Kerguelen will not be my next holiday destination too cold for my taste. I know the French might let me in because of my surname but still....
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Sorry about this firestorm taetske. I will explain further in a post today.
Good afternoon Mike,
Firestorm? Where? It is too dry for that, it would be dangerous.
Looking forward to the explanation, I got the impression there were some more puzzled people here.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
The explanation is given and the post saved in the event of a takedown
Aha, I will see if I find it.
Thank you for the like above (previous).
Paul.
You are welcome, Paul.
I always like it when our path cross.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske