I have a bad cold!! Really bad. I've been sitting here googling articles about flying with a head cold. I've found many helpful hints, but they all agree; agony awaits!! How could this happen?? I'm trying not to dwell on it and concentrate on being in Buenos Aires, Ushuia, and Antarctica, not getting there.
Other than repacking one more time to make sure we don't exceed the weight limit of 33 pounds, going to the store for many cold meds, sprays and lozenges, I guess we're ready to go. Our flight leaves at 10:00 tonight so we do have the whole day.
But, enough about me and on to the reason you're reading this: Antarctica!! Wow, I can hardly believe we'll be there in a few short days. This is really the adventure of a lifetime.
Oh, and think of us during the Superbowl; which we will be watching (hopefully) somewhere in Ushuia. I'm picturing a little bar frequented my ex-pats with a wide screen television with satellite and cold Budweisers. We might even get lucky and get to hear it in English. That's my thought anyway. Who knows what the reality will be?
Today; Miami. Tomorrow; Argentina!
Love,
Felice and Bob
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
One More Wake-Up
Tomorrow is the day of departure! It seems like only yesterday we started making the plans for this adventure, when in reality it's been almost a year. Time flies...
As much as I've prepared early for this trip, it seems this last day is filled with projects that absolutely must be completed today! We have long lists, but am sure we can make it. Do we have any choice?
So here's the plan: The planes will fly on time, the transportation from the airport in Buenos Aires to the hotel will go according to plan, the hotel reservation won't be screwed up, the weather for our first 2 days in Buenos Aires will be pleasant, and clear sky's. Is that really too much to ask? Oh, and the big request from whomever grants such requests is that the seas in Drakes Passage are calm for our crossing. Drakes Passage are the waters we must pass from the southern tip of Argentina to Antarctica. This is where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. I have read that the waters can be quite rough. But we're ready and armed with sea-sick patches!
This will be the last post before take-off. Be well and talk to you from the Southern Hemisphere.
Felice and Bob
As much as I've prepared early for this trip, it seems this last day is filled with projects that absolutely must be completed today! We have long lists, but am sure we can make it. Do we have any choice?
So here's the plan: The planes will fly on time, the transportation from the airport in Buenos Aires to the hotel will go according to plan, the hotel reservation won't be screwed up, the weather for our first 2 days in Buenos Aires will be pleasant, and clear sky's. Is that really too much to ask? Oh, and the big request from whomever grants such requests is that the seas in Drakes Passage are calm for our crossing. Drakes Passage are the waters we must pass from the southern tip of Argentina to Antarctica. This is where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. I have read that the waters can be quite rough. But we're ready and armed with sea-sick patches!
This will be the last post before take-off. Be well and talk to you from the Southern Hemisphere.
Felice and Bob
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Meet the Explorers
Can Bob wear enough clothing to ward off frostbite?
These days the only thing on my mind is THE TRIP. What more do I need? What have I forgotten? Do I need more hats? And the last burning question: Is there Jack Daniel's in Antarctica?
Who is this woman? It's Judi - our traveling buddy. For those of you who don't know, Judi is a good friend of Bob and I. We will traveling together. Yes, and sharing a cabin on the ship. So let your imaginations go wild. Ya done yet?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
12 More Wake-Ups
We're entering the final countdown for our trip wayyyy down South. The title of this blog comes from Nancy - thanks.
We just got notified that our weight limit is 33 pounds of luggage and 11 pounds for a carry on. I'm still figuring out if I can make it. Actually I have no choice, but what clothing items to fight sub-zero temperatures would you leave behind?? I hope I don't get to the point of having to make that decision. I guess I could wear lots and lots of layers under my clothes on the plane.
In advance, thanks to all of you who will be helping to take care of Bailey and Brandee and the kitties. We wouldn't be able to do this (with peace-of-mind)without you.
We haven't received any other news about Aerolineas Argentina not flying, so my hopes are that "no news is good news".
Being down to the final days is bringing about PANIC! No, not really, but I'm always thinking of what more needs to be done, purchased, packed, and piled. And like every other place I travel in the world, I'm already thinking about how nice (or not nice) it would be to live in a research station in Antarctica. Not that need me - I have no useful skills, but the thoughts are there.
Talk to you all in a couple more wake-ups!
Felice (and my lovable side-kick, Blobbo!)
We just got notified that our weight limit is 33 pounds of luggage and 11 pounds for a carry on. I'm still figuring out if I can make it. Actually I have no choice, but what clothing items to fight sub-zero temperatures would you leave behind?? I hope I don't get to the point of having to make that decision. I guess I could wear lots and lots of layers under my clothes on the plane.
In advance, thanks to all of you who will be helping to take care of Bailey and Brandee and the kitties. We wouldn't be able to do this (with peace-of-mind)without you.
We haven't received any other news about Aerolineas Argentina not flying, so my hopes are that "no news is good news".
Being down to the final days is bringing about PANIC! No, not really, but I'm always thinking of what more needs to be done, purchased, packed, and piled. And like every other place I travel in the world, I'm already thinking about how nice (or not nice) it would be to live in a research station in Antarctica. Not that need me - I have no useful skills, but the thoughts are there.
Talk to you all in a couple more wake-ups!
Felice (and my lovable side-kick, Blobbo!)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Just over 2 weeks from US Exit
It appears that Aeroleneas Argentina, the airline we're SUPPOSED to be flying to Buenos Aires is having a slight problem. Because of canceled flights and/or airline worker strikes (depending on who you belief) Aerolineas Argentina has not flown in about 4 days leaving passengers stranded all over the world and quite angry. In Buenos Aires the passengers destroyed computers and smashed counters at the airport. Should we be worried? I hope not. Two weeks is a long time in the airline industry and apparently this kind of thing happens a lot down there. Keep your fingers crossed for our timely departure and ability to make it to the boat before it leaves for the polar south.
It looks as though all the gear has been purchased and is ready for packing. Layers and layers and layers. I'm going to look like the Michelin Man by the time I waddle out onto the ice. We will have lots of pictures and Bob has purchased a video camera for the adventure.
It looks as though all the gear has been purchased and is ready for packing. Layers and layers and layers. I'm going to look like the Michelin Man by the time I waddle out onto the ice. We will have lots of pictures and Bob has purchased a video camera for the adventure.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Pre-Trip
Hello Friends and Other Interested Parties:
In 3 weeks and 1 day we leave for Antarctica. It's still like a dream that we haven't entered into yet. I know how I think it will be, but it's never like that when you get where you're going.
I think I have everything I need, and boy, do we need a lot of stuff. Heavy, cumbersome, winter, layered, Gortex, Thinsulate, Hot Chilis, Turtle Fur, North Face, Columbia, Marmot, fleece, wool, rubber, liners, hats, scraves (keep knitting Eliz), Mammoth Fur ball and nipple warmer STUFF!!
We're going to try to fit all this shit into our backpacks. We'll have a test run soon and then will probably be dusting off the suitcases for the trip.
We hope to be able to post daily on the trip and let you all know what kinds of exciting, interesting things we're going to be up to.
Here are some links that you might find interesting relating to our trip:
This site gives a view of our ship, MV Polar Star. Catagory: K-6. We're in Cabin 418. We're going with a different company, but never mind that.
www.alvoyages.com/ships/polar-star/12/
These two sites have interesting Antarctica information:
http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/stations/index.shtml
http://www.70south.com
Keep checking back, we'll be posting every couple days up until we leave.
I hope you all get as much enjoyment out of this handy dandy little blog as I am going to have writing it to you.
Be well,
Felice and Bob
In 3 weeks and 1 day we leave for Antarctica. It's still like a dream that we haven't entered into yet. I know how I think it will be, but it's never like that when you get where you're going.
I think I have everything I need, and boy, do we need a lot of stuff. Heavy, cumbersome, winter, layered, Gortex, Thinsulate, Hot Chilis, Turtle Fur, North Face, Columbia, Marmot, fleece, wool, rubber, liners, hats, scraves (keep knitting Eliz), Mammoth Fur ball and nipple warmer STUFF!!
We're going to try to fit all this shit into our backpacks. We'll have a test run soon and then will probably be dusting off the suitcases for the trip.
We hope to be able to post daily on the trip and let you all know what kinds of exciting, interesting things we're going to be up to.
Here are some links that you might find interesting relating to our trip:
This site gives a view of our ship, MV Polar Star. Catagory: K-6. We're in Cabin 418. We're going with a different company, but never mind that.
www.alvoyages.com/ships/polar-star/12/
These two sites have interesting Antarctica information:
http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/stations/index.shtml
http://www.70south.com
Keep checking back, we'll be posting every couple days up until we leave.
I hope you all get as much enjoyment out of this handy dandy little blog as I am going to have writing it to you.
Be well,
Felice and Bob
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