Voortrekker – Antarctica Tours by Frank Sonderborg



Joseph Millerton had always felt lucky. Born under a glowing star, is what his mom used to say. He would win prizes at school. And when he went to work for the Ford Motor company, on his first day there, he won a new car in a country wide Ford lottery. It was around then he started wearing green. Luck of the Irish his workmates would say. As they tried to avoid selling him any on-going lottery ticket. It didn’t help. During a heavyweight boxing match the odds on one of the boxers winning on points was enormous. So, his workmates fixed it, so Joseph got that option. And oh, how they laughed at him. And oh, how they cried when the said boxer duly went the 15 rounds and won the fight.

Getting engaged he decided he needed to cash in his Prize bonds. But he could not get it done in time, which resulted in Joseph winning a substantial amount at the next draw. He won another car. Then he won the lottery. £2million on a lucky dip. When interviewed on local radio, as to how he would spend his money, he said he always wanted to go to Antarctica.

And he was amazed when he spotted a Travel Bureau, in his home town advertising that exact trip. Voortrekker – Antarctica Tours, so he went in and met the owner

Katherine De Voortrekker. A wonderful Dutch/ South African lady. Who detailed the trip in full. For his £250K, he would be flown to Buenos Aires, and then on to Ushuaia. Ushuaia is Argentina's southernmost city, serving as the capital of Tierra del Fuego Province, and the gate way to Antarctica.  

From there, he would take a private plane to Antarctica (King George Island) to join a luxury expedition ship. Katherine assured him he would have an experianced guide both from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and throughout his Antarctica tour. And back again. Everything would be covered. Convinced, Joseph paid the full amount. A bank transfer as requested.

On the day, he waited with his suitcase on the pre-paid chauffeured driven car, to take him to Heathrow. When it was a no show, and he was getting no answer to his calls, he headed to the Voortrekker – Antarctica Tours bureau.

The Bureau looked empty. The door was locked. As he stood there looking quite confused, a man approached and asked him if he knew the owners of the Bureau. When he said he had purchased a once in a lifetime trip from them. The man said he was the landlord and he’d not been paid. They’d skipped town. A bunch of con artists. Was his opinion. Say goodbye to your money.

Joseph had believed her about the Antarctic trip. He’d trusted her. But it had turned into a Kath-arctic episode for him. But he was still, Lucky Joe. And it wasn’t over until the fat lady sings. 


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