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! 

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.

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

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

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.  

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!