Still packing, still planning, still fretting

My last day of work before I leave was yesterday.  As anyone with a job and a huge impending vacation knows, it has been very busy at work trying to get a bit ahead.  So much fun writing out comments on policy because you won't be in the meeting.  Actually, that is fun but that might just be me.  

(Shout out to Robynne who is covering for me at the busiest time of the term while I'm away, and the rest of the team who will also be living the chaos. Sorry!)  

Packing:  bah!  I just rummaged around in my storage closet to find my bigger backpack.  I haven't used it in years because I never need this much stuff.  Plus,  it is too heavy when it is full.  It's just on the packing bed, not in use yet.  We'll see.  I'm not too worried about the packing.  It is just a matter of getting the majority into the bags and the minority out of the bags.  

Planning:  Amy came over the other night for a 'planning session'.  There are two sources of stress for me.  Technology and flight connections

Planning session.
Pigeon is helping by standing in for the Thurple.  

Amy, who is technologically wiser than me (not hard to be but also part of her actual job), She has discovered this cool site called Google.  On this site, she discovered that there is a BlogSpot App which I can download to my phone and Chromebook.  As I mentioned before, I bought a  little laptop which apparently isn't a laptop at all, or even a tablet, it is a Chromebook which is something else altogether and has NO storage.  Amy did the same but she just cut bait and started again with a different little computer.  I am way too cheap for that.  I will make this stupid Chromebook work if it drives me crazy and risks the blog (aka my trip memories).  

I uploaded all of the pictures in this post from my phone to the BlogSpot app.  Saved, and then had access to the updated post on my computer.   So, so far so good.  

When we are on the cruise, no wifi!  NO WIFI!!!  So, I can't upload my blog.  I can't even access it.  So, my plan was use Word docs.  Nope, you need wifi to save word docs to google cloud if you are using Chromebook.  Bah!  but I can access the blog with the app.  I can't save though. What I don't know is how much storage the app has.  It is the level of storage on my computer?  If so, hmm, not great. 

I can close the app and the draft post is still there (at least the little bits I have created so far sans wifi)  but I can't access it from any other device (aka my phone). As soon as I have a scrap of wifi, I can go in and save.  That won't take much so maybe in the Falklands, and fingers crossed for South Georgia.  Uploading takes a lot more power, so is unlikely until we are in Ushuaia. 

(update, last night I tried uploading some giant pictures on the app and it let me and they were still there when I closed it and reopened it without signing onto wifi - cautiously optimistic)

We leave in 4 days, almost to the hour!

Back from a trip to the mall.  A pedicure and a few supplies (mainly a silicone water bottle cause I can't fine my collapsible bottle).  

Next day.  Yesterday got away from me a bit there.  Now we are down to three days!  

This is it, the end of time (or at least time is running out), I have resorted to writing lists!  I'm gonna say when 'make decisions' is the first thing on your 'to do' list, it's not a great organizational tool.  

This is how bad I am at lists.  I started this one at work on Thursday.  I got a few things done and then I lost the list.  This photo is my only record.  

We're already well into Fretting but my last thought before I go off and 'make decisions' is to mention my new plan about my flight connections.  Two hours in Vancouver with US Immigration is making me very nervous.  I am going to go to try to speak to an actual Air Canada person to try to get my 10 am flight (Vic->Van) moved to 9am.  

There is nothing to be done about the one hour layover in Houston.  Amy is choosing her bags based on how easy they are to carry while running.    One last shout out to how much Air Canada sucks.  Actually, doubtful that is the last but let's hope.  This is all their fault for cancelling the Calgary to Houston connection.  

United, on the other hand, sent me an email asking if I wanted to pre-choose my meals.  Oh, I was so excited!  Business class meals!  

so exciting! 

And then I signed it.  And discovered that the meals are really nothing better than I've ever gotten at the back of the plane.  Boo.  I chose 'I'll choose on the plane' hoping their will be better options.  Now I see that things are even worse (sold out!).  They're going to feed us right?  It's an 8 hour flight!  I bought some tootsie rolls and babybels just in case.  

So not exciting

Ok, I'm off to try to finalize some packing decisions/actions.  I'm sure I will be able to get one more post in before I go (although someone may have to remind me why I bought a ticket to the opera for Monday...)

Just a random jumble of thoughts etc.

At this point, two weeks before we leave, I am just pinging ideas, plans and actions around in my head without any rhyme or reason.  This post, I'm sure, will be as disorganized as my thinking.  

1. Flights.  Air Canada keeps moving our travel times around, just a bit at a time, but now we have less than two hours layover in Vancouver on our way to Houston.  We have to go through American border in that time.  Amy has Nexus, I do not.  

I called my lovely RBC Travel agent to see if we (I?) could leave on the 9am flight from Victoria to Vancouver, instead of the 10am, adding an hour to get through customs.  She tried but she said if she changes even that one short jump, I am looking at the current price of the tickets.  Which is many thousands of dollars more than when we bought them.  So, no.  New plan, as yet not discussed with Amy, go to the airport crazy early (this was already my plan) and try to sweet talk my way onto the 9am.  I looked on the Air Canada website and the 9am flight is cheaper than the 10 so I assume this means there are more seats available.  I'll let you know how it goes.  

There is also only one hour layover in Houston on the way down.  I figure we'll be lucky to make the connection.  It will be a miracle if our checked bags do too. So, with that in mind... 

2. Packing. My plan is to pack like this trip is actually two trips.  One bag with Antarctic/cruise only stuff and the other with Buenos Aires and total trip stuff.  I will check the Antarctic bag with the assumption that it will be delayed.  So, boots, rain pants, base layers, mitts, toques etc. And then daily clothes, camera, binoculars, and electronics in my carry on and personal bags.   

I have been throwing things at my spare bed as my ever efficient and organized packing system.  Plus, of course, the things I would remember to throw at the bed at a later date.  There was stuff on the bed that was never going to go and stuff not on the bed that definitely needs to go.  

My friend Val, experienced traveler and way more organized person than me, came over last weekend to make me buckle down.  She gives me someone to bing my ideas off of and forces me to actually create an organized plan.  

Although, here she is dressing Pigeon up in my cowl so maybe not all organization related but we did get there eventually. 

This is more organized than it looks

Pigeon was surprisingly ok with this child abuse

3. Ablutions: I got a haircut and I booked a pedicure. I need to buy SPF Chapstick. (update - can you believe a tube of wax costs $6!)

4. Clothes.  I hemmed a pair of quick dry travel pants.  They are my 'Antarctic pants' because they are too big for me so there is room for many base layers.  They are purple so you get to enjoy my Joseph's Coat of travel wear in my pictures (or more likely Amy's pictures).  

I also went to Value Village to find a fleece jacket.  I wanted a light weight one with pockets.  I found an LL Bean one but it is cream-coloured.  Not my favourite but right size, right weight, good enough. 

I also bought the ugliest belt.  Again, right size, right weight but so ugly, I may just take my regular one 

I didn't even bother to cut them, I just folded up 
and hemmed them from there

Seriously, so ugly! 

I have multiples of everything.  Which pants, which sweater, which t-shirts, socks, pajamas, undies, so many decisions.  Must not spiral.  Who am I kidding, the belt-decision (or lack thereof) just about did me in.  

5. Rain pants.  You knew this was never going to end.  I still have two pairs.  I think I will take the pair that packs smaller in my carry on and the proper ones in my checked bag.  I am getting paranoid about the possibility of losing that checked bag.  No rain pants, no shore excursions in Antarctica.  I can borrow the boat boots but I can't borrow boat pants.  Always have a back up plan I tell my students.  Or in this case, back up pants.  

6.  Vaccines.  I got my fourth Covid vaccine dose today.  Yay, my whiffle-waffling on when to book paid off and I managed to get it done two weeks before we leave but late enough to get the super-charged bi-valent.  I also got a Shinrex vaccine (not required for the trip but a very good idea no matter) and will take my Dukoral tomorrow.  

7. Technology.  Word. Stupid Microsoft Office.  Remember when you bought a computer and it has Office installed and you could just open it up and all was good.  Now you have to sign in and it saves to google documents.  and all of that requires Wifi!  At least I get it free through work but that won't help me when I am trying to keep track when I can't get online.  

At the moment, my plan is to create a bunch of word documents on my travel computer and save them to my work account and then download them to my travel computer.  It's not a great plan.  And it means I have to have my work account on my travel computer.  Are we all just fodder for our google overlords?  Don't answer that, I don't want to know the truth.   

8. Other. I am trying to do things as I think of them.  Renew prescriptions.  Done although I had to sign a form to get them early due to travel.  Buy cat food.  Done.  Request mail-in ballot for the civic election.  Done but not received yet. Sign up for banking auto payments so I don't miss bills. Not quite done yet. 

Now when I buy things I say to myself, will this tank of gas/gallon of milk/bunch of bananas last until I leave? 

9. Blog.  That's enough for today. 

Aaackk! 

One month to go!

 Well, today is the one-month-to-go mark.  At this time next month, Amy and I will be in the air on our way to Houston!  It seemed so far away for so long. And now it is practically upon us!  What have I forgotten.  What do I need to buy, hem, fix, pack, convert, plan...  ?  

I have been practicing with my camera.  I even forced my photographer friend, Andrea, to read my million page manual for my camera.  She didn't even get a beer out of the deal, just coffee.  That was a rookie mistake on her part, suggesting we got out early to catch the morning light!  

Andrea, in a pub, beerless 

Because I turned out to be such an awesome photographer and Andrea really could give me no notes (haha, or I was so hopeless it wasn't worth her breath to even begin to teach me...  the actual truth but let's pretend), Andrea only gave me one homework assignment.  Or at least only one I remember... 

Figure out how to set up Bluetooth transfer from my camera to my travel computer.  My computer is so tiny, it only has one USB-C port, no SD card slot.  I tried, I really did.  I managed to get my camera to talk to my home computer but my travel computer, nope, 'no comprende, mi amiga'.  Which is a problem.  I need to use those pictures to keep my hoards of adoring blog fans (aka my mom) satisfied! 

I ended up buying a card reader.  It seems so work.  That's the thing that I have to wrap my head around as we get closer.  If I don't have it or I have it but it doesn't work, I won't be able to get another one.  No fly-by-night packing for this trip. 

I also bought two extra batteries and an external battery charger.  And an extra 64 GB memory card.  

Card reader

Next issue to try out, Word.  No Wi-Fi for many, many days.  So, no access to BlogSpot at all, let alone to post anything.  But you know I am going to write posts, just not be able to upload or post them.  This happened once before, when I was on a train,  maybe in China?  Anyway, I didn't have Word downloaded onto my travel computer so I had to use Notebook.  That was a formatting nightmare.  And then go back through my millions of photos to find the ones that happened on the day I wrote about.  And that was only for one day!!  What am I going to do for three weeks!  

So I tried to create a Word document, with text and photos to see if I could cut and paste right into Blogspot.  I can cut and paste the text.  And the photos.  Just not at the same time. I can live with that.  

Here is my test Word document.  Might as well start into the packing posts now...

Test to see if I can cut and paste from a Word document to Blogspot with pictures!

getting my packing working area ready

throwing stuff at my packing working area

Pigeon, as always, super helpful with all travel related tasks.  Supervision is very important. 

I have to get all of that culled, sorted and shoved into packs.  And I haven't even started adding regular, non-Antarctic clothes.  It's mostly rain pants to be honest.  

Ok, that's it for now.  Serious count down begins!  

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.  

Vaccinations, documentations, declarations, registrations, consternations!

Yesterday, Amy and I went to Nova Travel Clinic.  Amy needed a booster of something or other.  I just needed Dukoral and some advise on how to deal with seasickness.  I think I already mentioned somewhere on here about my nightly barf sessions in the Galapagos.  I do not want to repeat that situation.  And I don't want to sleep through half my trip.  

Apparently Canadians are made of hardier stuff than Americans because several of the anti-motion sickness medications are not available in Canada but are in the US.  

First up:  Scopolamine.  Aka, Transdermal V (Canada), Transdermal Scop (US).  This is the patch that goes behind the ear and lasts for up to three days.  Discontinued in Canada.  By prescription only in US (and no, a Canadian prescription will not count, I asked).  Next best:  Meclizine.  not sold commercially in Canada but I heard I could get it through a compounding pharmacy.  Sold in the US as Bonine, Bonamine, Dramamine II.  sleepiness factor unknown.  Last up:  Dimenhydrinate aka Dramamine or Gravol.  Readily available in Canada but gravol is what made me sleep through all sorts of exciting adventures (night sky, ship breaking down etc) in Galapagos.

I am in Washington for a visit before October so I will load up on Meclizine.  Everyone keeps telling to get one of those wrist band things too.  Seems like some new age balderdash (or ancient wisdom, same dif) but I'll probably try that too. 

Update 20 minutes later:  so, I bought one of those bands with the electric pulses.  I'm not even going to tell you what it cost.  

here is a video if you are interested. 

I may also use this post to remind myself of all of the steps we have to take to get into, through and out of various countries!  I haven't even looked at what G Adventures needs for proof of vaccinations.  

ArriveCan app for re-entry to Canada:  https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/arrivecan.html

Declaration for entering Uruguay: https://www.gub.uy/ingresa-uruguay-durante-emergencia-sanitaria

Affidavit to enter Argentina: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/migraciones/ddjj-migraciones 

Ok, that was all detail and not much fun.  Here is a penguin, just for fun

Rain pants, who knew this was going to be the hardest part of this trip?

 I have already mentioned rain pants a few times so far.  Rain Pants, aka  rain or waterproof pants or over-pants, or over-trousers (my personal favourite), or any combo of those.  

I need water proof pants because we will be doing 'wet landings' where we have to put our feet in water to get out of the zodiac.  Here is a picture that demonstrates this nicely:

Rain pants (over the boots), wet landing, and penguins.  
All it's missing is the poop! 

So,  I think the last time we discussed my rain pant situation, I had borrowed a pair from Carolyn which were so long but I was going to make them work.  Then Amy gave me a pair which were also so long. 

My plan had been to just tuck the extra foot of pant into my boots but I found this TripAdvisor forum on rain pants 

How are boots worn?

which may be the greatest conversation ever had about rain pants.  They specifically says 'pants over boots'.  I highly encourage you to read the forum, it veers wildly into penguin poop conversation!. 

Best answer, in my humble opinion:  

Amy gave me hers because she had found a store that sold petite rain pants for a low price (Mountain Warehouse, if you are interested).  Hmm, petite is what I need! So, I ordered a pair of petite (or short in Mountain Warehouse parlance) rain pants.  I went up a size figuring that they had to go over two layers of base and regular pants.  I ordered them to be delivered to the store so I could try them on and make sure.  Good thing I did. 

They were giant.  Clown rain pants.  Since these were my third pair, I figured I would see if I could make them work.  Nope, they literally fell off me.  No amount of cinching was going to make them stay on.  So I took them back to the counter to return them.  The nice young lady pointed to a rack and said 'there's more over there'.  Well, I didn't have much hope but I grabbed two different styles.  

So, as in all things in life, there was no perfect choice.  First off, Mountain Warehouse sizing is not normal.  I think they may be a UK company?  Anyway, one pair (the Downpour) fit comfortably and was 'short'.  Which means to say only a couple of inches too long.  But I wouldn't say they are 'waterproof' because they have side zippers on the legs (and snaps in case the zippers weren't enough?).  If I remember correctly from my physics class, water can get through a zipper.  

The other pair (the Spray) was just a bit snug.  They would have worked but they weren't 'short'.  They also had side zippers but they had a flappy thing on the inside of the leg that covered the zipper.  So, I assume more waterproof (is this like more unique or more perfect? But I digress, yet again).  

Figuring 'bird in the hand' and all of that, I bought the Downpour pair that fit but aren't fully waterproof.  But I went home to see if they had the Spray online in 'short'.  They did!  But what size. Honestly, their sizing makes NO sense.  So, I ordered two pairs.  Which arrived today and are currently sitting by my front door. 

Which means, I currently have FIVE pairs of rain pants in or almost in my house!  Hopefully I can narrow it down to just the ONE pair and return the rest.  I'll let you know how it goes because by now, I'm sure you are as obsessed with my rain pant options as I am (haha, no you are not, you are just wondering how long until we get to actual, real live penguins! - three months my friends, three long months!). 

July 18.  So, that package was not my rain pants.  But two pairs arrived today!  But I have since also ordered another, super cheapy pair which aren't here yet.  But I think we have a winner!  

It is very hot today, over 30 degrees but I changed into jeans (to replicate the base and top layers I will be wearing) and my boots (with wool socks, why not go all the way) so I could make sure they fit.  

They fit!. They are the right length. They are comfortable.  They seem waterproof.  They are cheap, not super cheap but under $50.  ]

Here they are with the 'waterproof' test. I have no idea if this video will work.  

Can one love rain pants?  I think one can.  Now, I have to get out of these wool socks!  

Ushuaia - sure, why not.

Our cruise ends in Ushuaia.  I have heard two things about Ushuaia:  'it is awesome, stay as long as you can' and 'it is the worst, get out as soon as you can'.  Then there's my way of thinking:  'a hotel room is cheaper than the cost difference between an evening flight and a morning flight so we might as well stay overnight'.  

I guess it's not the worst view of a city

I had a quick look at the prices of flights from Ushuaia, where we disembark, to Buenos Aires, where we fly home.  Prices are surprisingly high. Well, I guess not that surprising since it will be cruise season and rich people are basically trapped there and will pay whatever.  I can't disagree, once you've paid a million dollars for your Antarctic trip, what's another $350.  But I'm not rich, and yes I can afford $350 but that just goes against my long honed generational instinct to spend the very least amount possible (cousin John will agree I'm sure!).  

Amy wandered by as I was researching over lunch yesterday.  We had a quick look at 'what to do in Ushuaia'.  There's a train!  El Tren del Fin del Mundo (the train at the end of the world!)

here's some history

The tracks were originally built to service the prison in Ushuaia.  My mom has been there and her main (only?) memory of the place was the looming prison.  Anyway, maybe I can have a better memory of the prison and the train from which it was born.  Wait, is there a prison tour!?  (searching...) Umm ya, there is!  Our one day in Ushuaia may get longer!  

Amy and I were looking at the train info and saw a tour on the train that goes through the national park.  Oh dear, it only leaves at 8am!  Yup, that's another night.  So, to save $80 on a plane ticket by spending $50 on a hotel, this online dive into Ushuaia is going to cost me $100s extra.  I am letting down the family thriftiness gene!  But I get to mail a post card from the southernmost mail box in the world!  I think it balances out.  

And down another rabbit hole:  price of stamps in Argentina.  Trip Advisor consensus - way too much.  So, ONE of you MIGHT get a postcard.  MIGHT!  If you're nice, a couple of you might get one from the Falklands.  

Back on track (train pun!).  Amy and I booked a room in Ushuaia.  New plan (you guys are really getting to see how the sausage is made when it come to my vacation planning in this post!).  Disembark from ship in Ushuaia morning of Nov 12: Prison tour, museum, city, etc.  Nov 13 morning:  Train and Park 5.5 hrs.  Fly out that evening. Damn!  I'm back to the expensive plane ticket.  Oh well, it's worth it for that one potential post card (and I guess some other stuff).  

Oh yea, some other trip actions. I sent off my medical and insurance info to G Adventures.  And ordered some petite waterproof pants.  

G Adventures has posted our hotel in Montevideo.  The Dazzler!  I don't know about the hotel but the name totally wins!  

a nice location to finally meet our thruple
(and tell her she gets the top bunk!)

AAAAAND, this is it.  I have hit rock bottom for online scrolling:  

Come on, you heard Dazzler and 
went here too (right?)

Happy Canada Day by the way.  

Ok, now it's official, this is happening!

So, we've been spinning our wheels for months and months with no real movement on the trip since we bought our plane tickets a million months ago.  But NOW, it's serious.  Amy and I paid the balance on our trip and we are COMMITTED.  

In fact, today is exactly four months until we depart from Montevideo, Uruguay for our cruise.  

I filled out my 'get good to go' info.  No comment on the grammar.  It is quite intense.  I can't finish personal info because it is too early to choose my jacket.  And it doesn't like our flight info because we are arriving too early.  Both of those are going to involve a phone call I think. 

So, that's the big news. And that's kind of it.  Now we wait.  Again.  For months. Four long months.

What idiot said anticipation is half the fun. It is not.  There are no penguins in anticipation.  

I guess it's time to think about what shoes to take. It's gonna be a long summer!  

Here's a couple of little videos.  

The best things about an Antarctic cruise.  And the worst things about an Antarctic cruise. 

And the obligatory picture of penguins

What time is it in Antarctica?

Today is  6 months from when my vacation starts. Not my actual trip, that is tomorrow, and not the cruise that is the 22nd, and not landing on Antarctica, that is sometime next month (pending weather, as they like to say in the fine print).  But I am going to revel in today's 6 month mark.  Partly because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, but mostly because it is snowing today (in APRIL!, in VICTORIA!) and I need something to get through this ridiculous winter (yes, I see the irony).  

Anyhoooo, no shopping to report although my friend Carolyn lent me some waterproof pants.  They are about 12 inches too long but I will make them work.  That's what tall boots are for, to hide excessive hem.  

Here's a question to ponder:  what time zone is Antarctica?  I mean, the south pole is at the bottom of all 24 time zones so which one is THE one?  Turns out, each station just picks the time zone of their home base.  So, the bits sort of close to New Zealand and Australia use time zones from that side of the planet.  The peninsula, where we will be, uses Argentina time zones.  

 

Next logical question is: how much daylight there is in Antarctica in early November since this 'shoulder season'.  24 hours!  

But we'll be on vacation and it will be daylight all day, so really, what is time?  

Or place for that matter.  Here is the map that came with that sunlight graph - this is the location of Vostok Station

In research news, I read a book called The Birdman of Antarctica about a guy who signed up for a season counting Adelie penguins near the McMurdo Station.  Their camp was where Cherry camped from "the worst journey in the world' which I never managed to pick up again.  I may be spurred to read more.  

I went to a ballet (Ballet Hispanico hosted by Dance Victoria).  It was a dance version of Eva Peron's life story.  It was really good but not exactly biographical, more suggestive of the occasional choreographed cough with a lithe swoon. But it made me remember that there is more history to be learned than just Antarctic history.  Biography of Evita on its way.  

Endurance Found!

I mentioned that I was doing some reading on Antarctic history.  Most of the explorers' diaries are a total slog.  I ended up reading Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.  

Seriously, this is an incredible story.  Endurance was the name of Shackleton's ship which became trapped in the ice in the Weddell Sea.  He and his crew lived on ship for about a year before it was crushed and eventually sank. Then they lived for many months on the ice.  And then when the ice started to melt, they made a harrowing dash for land in three tiny boats.  The hardships they endured were unbelievable. 

Anyway, as I was reading the book, I googled some stuff and found out that there was currently a group searching for the Endurance at the bottom of the Weddell Sea, which is very deep, and very cold and usually frozen and/or stormy. So, not easy but Shackelton had recorded the exact location of the ship when it sank. 

Today, they found it!!! And it is intact and upright!  So beautiful.  

There was a photographer, Frank Hurley,  on board the original voyage so here is what it looks like trapped in the ice.  

Intact

Crushed by the ice

Living on the ice

Here's a History Channel summary of the story that I haven't read

Here's a video of the wreck if you just want to see how cool it is! 

Here's info on the expedition to find the Endurance. 

This one is for Amy: