BUSINESS CLASS!!!!

OH MY GOD!  So, I have been tracking tickets to Buenos Aires for a couple of months.  And they have been cheap.  I have enough travel points to buy a ticket up to $2000 (not including taxes).  If I buy a ticket to South America, I use 100 000 points whether the ticket is $900 or $2000. So obviously, start big and work down is my 'flight search' policy.

happening!  

Business class tickets to Buenos Aires on my dates: $2179 (give or take $20 depending on the day).  I had to wait until my return date was finally available.  It seemed too good to be true.  I went in to see if it was true and got far enough into the booking process to see that the seats available were not in the business class section.  Oh, well, as I suspected.  I was at work, trying to research/book during lunch so I abandoned the process because I wanted to read the fine print (so unlike me but there are new 'cancellation' considerations these days).  

Today, I went in and started the process again.  This time, I think I chose the Air Canada version of the flight instead of the United version.  Same flight, different flight numbers.  I know this because the first time I was in the booking part, I could not choose my AC seats but I could choose the United seats and they were in the deepest, darkest, back of the bus, economy section.  But this time, oh glory be to the gods of wide seats and free booze, I choose the Air Canada flights (despite my well documented issues with Air Canada).  I could see the AC seat selection were Business, front of the plane.  I choose my seats.  But I couldn't choose the United seats.  Those are the important ones.  Flight down is 9 hrs, 50 minutes.  Flight back is 10 hrs, 25 minutes. It told me to go to United's website.  I got my confirmation email with my booking numbers.  I signed onto United and it let me choose my seats, which I figured was a miracle in itself.  Seats available:  BUSINESS CLASS!  No seriously:  BUSINESS CLASS!!!!!  Is it wrong to be this excited about my seats!  I don't think so.  

This literally makes me want to cry with happiness

All told, $200 bucks for my BUSINESS CLASS tickets (just the taxes).  Lie-Flat seating! With bedding and sleep themed amenities.  (I don't even know what that means, but I'm going to find out!)  Chef designed onboard dining experience!  Access to United lounge!  Two closets!  So many coffee stations!  

So, there you go, it is getting harder to say this might not happen.  Let's all hope and pray that Omicron (which we are not talking about) is quick and gone and no new, even worse, Covid variant shows up before November, 2022.  I was saying to Amy, if we had gone this year, we would have been in a bit of a safety bubble, mostly post-Delta and pre-Omicron.  Let's hope Oct/Nov 2022 is even better!  

Less exciting but still trip related, I have started doing a bit of research on Buenos Aires.  As in, I googled 'which area is the best to stay in...'.  Palermo is top of the one list I looked at.  Okey Dokey.  Booking.com, my old and trusted booking friend.  I found a two bedroom apartment in Palermo.  Not in the super-trendy Palermo Hollywood or Palermo Soho sub-neighbourhoods, but not too far (and about $1000 cheaper, thank you very much).  It is in Alto Palermo.  I can walk for trendy.  

The cool kids are in pink or aqua, we are in blue (with the 
smart-with-their-money kids).  

I booked this without consulting Amy.  We haven't even really talked about what we want to do in our week in Argentina before the cruise.  Do we want to stay in the city (which seems huge and diverse) or travel around a bit?  Staying in one place seems like to wise thing to do right now, but who knows in 10 months.  My booking.com reservation is cancellable until end of Sept so we have lots of time to consider our options.  

I have since has a one minute conversation with Amy to tell her I was sending her the flight info (so she can book with her travel money) and the apartment info and she said "if someone else wants to plan, I am all for whatever that plan might be'.  I am writing that down as a contract.  I may have completely changed the wording but the thought is probably, mostly (somewhat, maybe) right.  

Then I read the second paragraph in that one 'where to stay in Buenos Aires' site.  It says Palermo is not close to the 'sights'.  Next research:  how to get around Buenos Aires.  Super-duper subway system is how.  Called the Subte.  

Way up in the top left, by the green D, is Palermo station.  

Some cross referencing with a Subte map with some streets on it and the Booking.com map, I can see the place I booked is three blocks from the Bulnes stop on Linea D.  Linea D takes up to the Cathedral where we can catch Linea E with goes through San Telmo, where the touristy sights are (or some of them).  So, boom and Bob's your uncle.  I have started planning!  I'm sure there will be lots of Subte'ing!  Lineas H & F might get us to some good spots too.  Oh dear, now I am looking at San Telmo neighbourhood apartments.  Never read the second paragraph, it just complicates decisions.  

In shopping news.  It is snowing in Victoria right now so I have had to shovel my walk a couple of times and the weak point in my cold weather gear is my hands.  I ordered some expensive gloves (50% off boxing day sale and $10 bonus discount, so not too bad).  They should arrive in a couple of weeks, hopefully too late to test them in frigid weather (because I am done with Victoria having frigid weather!).  

We don't like the snow
 but we do like the live bird show

The Thruple makes her first appearance

The one year mark (Oct 22, 2021) before our cruise passed by and I barely noticed.  This trip has been so far away for so long, I kind of forgot to think about it.  

I am trying to read some Antarctic history books but the first one I tried was "The Worst Journey in the World" about the fateful (and fatal) Scott expedition.  But it is DENSE.  It is barely readable. I should be called "The Worst Writing in the World".   I have a new appreciation for editors, let me tell you.  This book is a solid  block of text, barely a paragraph break, let alone a chapter break.  Oldy-Timey books about exploration by ship involve a lot of weather reports and wind speeds and the word 'lee'.  

The bottom one might not be too historical 

I abandoned that one for a fun novel about an old lady who is bored so goes to the Antarctic.  After that, I dipped into some Cook diaries.  More weather.  Time to work on some Shackelton before I go back to Scott.  These guys are basically insane and suicidal but at least Cook and Shackelton waited to explore themselves to death on a different continent.  

Seriously!  Hit Enter every once in a while!  

On a more practical note, it is time to start considering our flights.  I am hanging out on Google flights.  Our dates aren't even available yet.  We are up to Oct 12 as the last day with tickets as of today.  I put an alert on our flight for Sept 2022 so I can see what is going on with prices.  I have $2000 worth of ticket with my Air Mile points.  

Business class tickets, to Buenos Aires return, have dipped as low as $2160!  They are bouncing up and down so Amy and I had a 'trip meeting' to decide if we want to book super early if the tickets are super cheap or wait until we have a better idea of what the world will look like in 11 months.  Book early and cheap is the decision.  I called my bank to make sure if I have to cancel, I don't lose my points.  I do not.  Done and decided. But not booked.  It is too early.  

prices at 12:15pm on Nov 17, 2021 

I bought a new travel computer.  It is teeny tiny (just one pound).  Of course, there won't be any Wi-Fi on the boat so expect to be blasted with 21 posts from Ushuaia.  

Oh gosh, I started this post on Nov 17 and now it is Dec 3.  I have been so busy.  I worked overtime three weekends in a row ,it is crazy at work.  And then I picked up a little 30 hour contract so I have been working a lot.  All for the penguin fund!  

Important shopping.  I bought these ridiculous slippers!  

Ridiculous yes, warm and comfy, also yes. 

So, that's it for now.  Just obsessively checking google flights even though November 2022 dates aren't loaded yet so there is nothing I can do but fret.  Two more weeks. Dates to Oct 28 today.  The world and/or prices just have to hang on for two more weeks!  

A reminder! Follow me to Antarctica!  

One more update (now it is Dec 11!).  Still waiting for flights (getting closer, just 10 more days, prices are holding steady) but I just checked G Adventures and our cruise is up to $22,400!.  It's like we are saving $7000 now.  And I see that our 'third bed' in our Triple room is sold.  Our Thruple exists!  We just haven't met her yet. So exciting.  

Hello Thruple!  You will probably read this one day and know we are/were keen to find out who you are/will be.  We may even stop calling you 'the Thruple' once we know your name (but I make no promises and I really hope you have a sense of humour!)  

10 months to go!  

No one say Omicron variant.   

Oh my god, it's still 16 months away!!

Really no updates, but the system crashed at work so I decided to spend my coffee break doing this instead of working like usual.  

I have been reading my Antarctic travel guide.  I am very excited about the Falklands.  Rockhopper penguins!  Can't say no to seeing this crazy bird with his crazy do. 

I am going to have to add some links to this blog for some shops in Stanley.  Shopping is going to happen!  

For example this:  Falkland Islands Wool Store that seems to have no internet presence except for the occasional mention on other sites:  here is a photo, which as you can see is not advertising by the business.  

Oh, I have fallen into a knitting and yarn on Falkland Islands vortex.  Back to work!  

Oh wait, THIS: 

______________________

Its a few days later.  Still daydreaming about the trip but this time on a Saturday when I have more time.  I found the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) website.  And a couple of very well made videos:  

Going Ashore in Antarctica.  I can't imbed the video so here are a couple of shots in case you don't have 2.5 minutes to spare

If you sense an attack!

Stop often and reflect on the beauty

You will see many types of birds

Species in their natural environment

and Cruising in Antarctica.  Ditto 

Last great wilderness on Earth

visit the snowy breathtaking scenes

Don't feed the animals!

disturbing the wildlife is prohibited

And this just in (in June):  The ocean surrounding Antarctic is now being recognized as the fifth ocean.  Unimaginatively, it is called The Southern Ocean.  

It's going to be a long wait!

Vaccine rollout is ongoing.  Things are starting to seem like this situation might end one day.  I'm still glad we are aiming for a 2022 trip though.  But it seems so far away right now.  

Not too much to report.  I bought some rubber boots!  Purple!  The tour requires rubber boots and they have loaners on the boat but with limited selection in the lower and higher sizes. 

BOOTS FOR ZODIAC LANDINGS:
- Complimentary used waterproof boots will be supplied in the following sizes:
- USA size 4 - 16
- EURO size 35 - 49
Please be advised that there are limited numbers of the smallest and largest sizes.

Amy and I wear the same size.  I remember when Val and I were on our Galapagos tour, they had loaner flippers.  The only pair left for me was a size 10 so everyone went up one size so I could have the smallest pair.  So we all wore the wrong size by one.  Will I take the boots with me?  Maybe.  They are a lot to pack.  But did I mention they are purple! Here's a very bad photo. Where they barely look purple.  More a mauve tone but still, purple! 

And of course, a bird book!  Always need a fresh bird book.  There's a whole page on penguins! 

And since Amazon was sending that, I also got the Antarctic Lonely Planet Guide.  Amy got one for Argentina. 

Bird Book

Guide Book

Penguins! 

There is some chatter about some friends of ours, Rob and Dwayne, meeting us in Buenos Aires before or after the cruise.  Again, it's a long way off so who knows.  But Rob suggested we start taking Spanish lessons.  Since I am already paying a million dollars for this trip, I thought I would go with the free route first.  Welcome back to Duolingo!  They put me right back at the level I left at when I started Spanish lessons for a previous trip.  Ecuador?  Costa Rica?  Who knows but it was a while ago. Anyway, I am doing all right. 

I do need dinero!  How did you know?

Welcome back to level 'intro' 

We paid our deposit so we are going on this trip or some other G Adventure trip now.  Deposit is non-refundable but we can transfer it to a different trip if necessary. So far, I don't see that happening but we have a year and a half to go!  

We're committed now (with an escape option)

Once I mostly convinced myself and sort of convinced Amy that this trip is a good idea...  Good? Hmm, let's go with viable.  Once I sort of convinced myself, and quasi convinced Amy this trip is almost doable, if we squinted and didn't look directly at it, I called G Adventures to get more details.  

First up, the cheapy price is for a shared quad room.  Those beds are already sold.  But there are still beds available in the triple room.  Well, you know telling consumers that something crazy expensive is a limited commodity, that just makes it more desirable! WE HAVE TO BOOK IMMEDIATELY!  

Much back and forth with Amy, calls to G Adventure info line.  So, the scoop.  There are two triple rooms.  Two beds are booked.  They only book one gender per room (no I did not ask how they determine gender, because I don't care).  There are four potential beds left for female passengers.  Brain calculating, calculatng...  Ackk!  That means if one man books a triple room bed, there will only be one female spot left!  WE HAVE TO BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!  

Ok, that picture is not enticing enough.  Time for a picture that shows why we want to go: 

Another call to G Adventure.  There is a $1000 deposit.  If we cancel the cruise before 120 days previous to launch, we don't get a refund but we can transfer the deposit to any other G adventure trip (they have lots of trips!). My nice CCR said we could put a 72 hour hold on our triple room beds.  We did that.  

The hold got us to the next call centre rep.  Who knew more than the first one.  For January/February, we only have to put $1 deposit.  $999 more due on March 1.  Same info about cancelling and transferring deposit up to 120 days.   We both had some outstanding stuff to deal with before we could really lock in but this gave us lots of time to sort ourselves out.   So, I have them all of our info, passport, credit card numbers, you know the please steal my identity info.  They took our $2.  So, we are committed!  A little bit! 

Amy was still not 100% sure.  Then she and some friends of ours went to a pub one night recently.  They were talking about the trip. And some guy at the next table overheard them and joined the conversation.  He is a marine biologist who used to work on that cruise.  He said how amazing it is and how it will be the best trip of our lives and all of the beautiful scenery and animals we will see.  He totally sold Amy on it and now she is even more sure than I am.  And I'm SURE!  

So there you go, we are doing this.  

Here is the link to the cruise info: 

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica

And here is the map: it is fun to say Uruguay! 

Is this going to happen?

So, perhaps planning for this trip  is just part of pandemic dreaming.   I can't go on my usual winter trip in 2021 so I might as well dream big! I need something to look forward to.  The day the first vaccine was approved by Health Canada, I googled Antarctic cruises.  

To go way back, I once went to a presentation about cruises by my mom's travel agent (like 10 years ago) and one of the presenters was G Adventures and I always remembered that they impressed me compared to the other cruises offered.  Anyway, that plus my desire to go to the bottom of the earth, plus a bit o' extra savings lead me here.  

I have been bugging my mom for years to see if she would come with me.  Let's face it, I don't have many friends with Antarctic cruise level disposable income.  And I thought my mom would enjoy it.  But alas, no, she did not want to come. So, I put it out of my mind.  I don't have Antarctic cruise level disposable income either. 

But once you start looking...  and dreaming...  and pestering your friend Amy, well you kind of go into 'how can I justify this' mode.  

Let's consider the ways we can justify... 

Pandemic:  Cruise isn't until late 2022 so we should all be vaccinated by then, right?  

Money:  I guess I will have two years worth of travel money since I'm not going anywhere is 2021.  Plus, I seem to have extra money from not even leaving the house for most of 2020.  

More money:  Who needs to retire at 65?  Slackers, that's who.  

More excuses:  I want to go and I want to go while I can still get in and out of a Zodiac.  And who am I going to leave my money to?  My cat, she doesn't' even like me.  She gets nothing! 

One more:  penguins!!!!  

Anyway, this might be happening.  More later.