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