Porthole

I am reading a website called Travel to the Poles that compares tours, ships, classes, etc.  

This post is just so I can capture this quote about portholes.  We have a porthole. 

Under ship amenities - Porthole: 

porthole :    Round traditional ship's porthole, relatively small and mostly on lower decks.  Good for making you feel like you're in a washing machine during sea crossings.

Since we're here anyway, here's how they describe G Adventures Expedition ship

Former Danish car ferry but very well converted. Has a photographer and musician in residence programme. Many PhDs among expedition staff. Personal experience of staff going above and beyond to get the landings. Approx 3hrs on shore per landing and at least two landings/operations per day. Ship is comfortable, hotel staff excellent and food plentiful.

Luxury Level:  Medium.  Medium: Combination of cabins with bunks and beds, cheerful and older ships, less included - three star hotel - excellent service but not luxury. Summer camp for adults.

Ice breaker Level:  1b (1a is the best). 1b - Can handle polar waters well - usually a retrofitted ship with a previous life elsewhere. Can handle ice that is 0.6m thick

What to pack - this is my kind of packing advise: you want to wear things that are comfy. No-one will be aghast at you wearing the same outfit for days in a row.

Things to consider - shared cabins: Lots of people in a small space for a lower price. As you're mostly only in the cabin to sleep, this can be an excellent value option and a good way to make new friends.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (and Boats!)

Lord love a duck! (or I guess a penguin) Things are getting serious now.  Less than two months to go!  I feel like we dropped a tiny pebble at the top of a mountain and it slowly rolled down for a couple of years but now it is a giant snowball crashing towards us at warp speed.  

Don't get crushed by that 'TO DO' list!

Where to start... 

I've been booking accommodations on Bookings.com. They consider me a third level genius.  Who am I to say no to such praise! 

I wonder if I book harder, maybe I can make it to Genius Level 4! 

We know when our plane lands in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  We know when our cruise leaves Montevideo, Uruguay.  The bit between was a bit blurry.  I booked a two bedroom apartment for our time in Buenos Aires but I kind of missed two days and only booked until October 20. And our place is no longer available for the next two days.  

And we know when our cruise arrives in Ushuaia and when we fly out of Buenos Aires but again, a bit blurry between those two dates.  I think at one point, I had three places booked, maybe four?  How long in Ushuaia?, how long is Buenos Aires?.  I had looked at so many places and dates, it was all starting to swirl.  

But the real issue isn't where to stay.  It is what to do with our luggage. 

I'm not sure if I have mentioned our luggage situation.  Not so much of a situation, just different rules for different modes of transportation.  We are business class on our flight down (as if you forgot!) which means we are allowed a ridiculous amount of luggage.  Two checked bags, a carry-on bag and a personal bag.  Those of you who know me, know I can do a month long trip (at least before I start shopping) with just a carry on.  So, this is luxury.  We are going to need to take at least two bags because we need a lot of bulky stuff for the cruise:  Boots, mitts, base layers, rain pants, toques etc.  

Side note on the luggage.  We have a one hour layover in Houston. ONE HOUR!  So, I fully expect our checked bags to not make it to Buenos Aires at the same time as us (I barely expect for us to make it, any delays will do us in but I digress from my digression).  Anyway...  

My plan is to pack Buenos Aires clothes in my carry on, with essentials - camera, tablet, medications.  And then pack my 'winter' Antarctic stuff in my checked bag.  With the hope (and prayer) that it makes it to Buenos Aires before we leave for the cruise. 

But the cruise only lets us have one bag, soft sided, that fits in whatever tiny space they allow us.  And flights from Ushuaia also only allow one bag. So, we are going to have to leave our Buenos Aires stuff somewhere pre-cruise.  

G Adventures kindly let us know that we can leave our stuff at the Dazzler.  But the Dazzler is in Montevideo.  Which would mean we would have to get back to Buenos Aires from Ushuaia, then over to Montevideo, then back to Buenos Aires for our flight home.  Buenos Aires to Montevideo is somewhat like Victoria to Vancouver in distance.  The quickest route is a 2.5 hour ferry which only goes three days a week.  So, even if we wanted to go back to Montevideo, the ferry times means we would have to stay overnight and then get back to Buenos Aires the day of our flight.  Not a good plan. 

Penguin break: here is a penguin on a plane. 

No carry-on luggage for this guy

Amy, who is smart, came up with a great plan.  Remember back when I said I forgot to book anything between Oct 20 to Oct 22 when we go to the Dazzler (I do love saying the Dazzler).  Ok, let's just say it, Amy is smart(er than me).  Amy suggested we book into a proper hotel near the ferry terminal before we go to Montevideo and when we come back to Buenos Aires and hopefully they will keep our second bag for the three weeks between.  

I booked in at the Waldorf Hotel (not likely affiliated with THE Waldorf hotel) for two days before the cruise and two days before we leave for home.  And then emailed them to ask if they will store our bags.  Yes, they said they will.  So, that's good.  

All of this also forced us to plan those last little connections. Ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.  

The ferry doesn't go on the day we check into the Dazzler so we have to spend an extra night in Montevideo.  Book into the Dazzler for an extra night.  I called G Adventures.  If we book the extra night through them:  $200.  Through Booking.com: $97.  Booking.com it is.  Booked.  Must update reservation at the Waldorf to just one night October 21st (or 20th, I CANNOT wrap my head around the dates...) 

We also bought our plane tickets from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.  Due to the time limitation, we will only spend one night in Ushuaia and catch an evening flight the next day.  It wasn't that much more expensive than the morning flight so we can still do the train and park tour. 

Whoosh, that was a lot. 

And now, for no reason at all except that you never know what you'll find when googling, here is a penguin train conductor: 

All Abird!  (hahaha, terrible)

Updates: Rain pants and medications/vaccinations

 A few (not a couple, not many) updates on the last two posts on rain pants and medications. 

Rain pants:  so my millionth pair of rain pants arrived.  

I feel you, little penguin, I live your short-legged life as well

You will remember I found my soulmate of rain pants already.  But then this other pair arrived.  They are cheap, green and not very sturdy.  The pockets are just holes to allow me to get to any pockets beneath.  No zippers, not flaps, no bells, no whistles.  But, they pack down to nothing (since they are so flimsy!).  I will almost certainly need to have back up duct tape for any breeches. 

My pants in the future, but green

Do I need life time rain pants or am I just looking for good enough for now rain pants.  To be decided when packing get serious.  It sounds like my love life.  And my status as spinster traveler should give you some indication on the way this decision will go.  

Vaccinations, declarations, medications etc.: I looked for Bonine in the States while I was there.  A box of 16 at Fred Meyers for $9+ US.  Ouch.  So, I decided to wait to see how much it would be at Costco.  They didn't have it!  So I did what I never do, I asked someone.  Turns out they have no-name brand of Meclizine behind the counter.  100 pills (enough for me and Amy both!) for $3.49 US!  A win!  

The beginning of our first aid kit. 

I got my ArriveCan app downloaded and figured out so that is good to go. 

I called the Vaccine line to see if I can book in for the end of September to get my fourth shot.  I can but I have to wait a week or two until those spots open up. Fingers crossed that the snazzy new formula will be available by then. 

And last but not least, my Relief Band.  I ordered it to be sent to my Aunt and Uncle's in the states since they don't ship to Canada.  But it didn't arrive while I was there.  My uncle is coming to the island at the end of August so no worries?.  But I still haven't received anything that says it has been shipped.  So I called them.  

Josh the CSR: Oh, sorry, it's on back order and expected in the 'next few weeks'.  I'm not going to get into the whole debate about how many is a 'few' (although it is 3-7 and I don't want any guff from you about it).  In this case, a 'few' is vague-ese for 'we don't know when it's coming'.  I don't have time for a few weeks, or worse.  So, I cancelled it and will order a knock off version on Amazon.ca.  Seems to be the same and has same level of reviews.  

Lots more going on but I will do a separate post when I have more time.