Everyone In The Pool

Another beautiful day in Antarctica. Just wanted to share.

Antarctica ~ A visual at last

Just a taste. Have not done a thing with my photos - other than quickly scan through them. This one needs some attention - horizon straightened, color correction - however, it says "Antarctica". Hope this can/will hold you until I find the time to put something together. Thanks for asking and thanks for your interest in my travels. Feel free to share, keeping in mind that all photos remain my property. A LOT MORE TO COME - eventually. For now the real world calls - it's off to work.

Judi
thewanderingju.blogspot.com

February 6 ~ Iceberg Ahoy

I do hope this reports gets out, because somehow, our e-mails have been bouncing back. With a strong feeling of faith (and a heart filled with hope) I am writing - for the first time - and do hope you will see this. We are close to Elephant Island, and will be going ashore around 8:00 tonight. It has been a day filled with lectures (I got everybody's attention by snoring in a corner) and we left our cabin a few moments ago to get our first glimpse of an iceberg. It was COLD on the bridge so I did not stay outside for longer than it took to snap a couple of photos. They are calling us for another lecture. I am sure we will write later in the day, and if my stomach allows, I will be going ashore with the rest of the group.

Judi, Felice, Bob
Your Antarctica Explorers

Home Is The Sailor ....

.... home from the sea. We are all on terra firma and home - via different routes, but back in South Florida. My route - Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Miami. Felice and Bob's route - Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Dallas, Miami. I unlocked the front door at 5:45 yesterday morning, dropped my packs on the floor and slept most of the day away. When I sit, I find myself swaying as if I am still aboard MV Polar Star. Standing, walking, lying down - no such sensation. However, when sitting - I sway. I am anxious to see the photos - hundreds of them - in order to give myself a visual "pinch" that will prove I was there - Antarctica. Please check back in a few days. I promise to post some FABULOUS stuff.

Thanks for coming along. See you soon.

TheWanderingJu

February 13 ~ Drake Passage

Good morning, all:

Just came up from breakfast - best meal of the day, even if it is quite
redundant. Not saying they serve a boring meal (they do not), but my
breakfast choice is always the same - toast, oatmeal with raisins and
sugar, watermelon, yogurt, and coffee. I have been told, by those who
ate last night, that I missed a delicious desert. Why, you may ask, did
I miss desert (and dinner)? Mal de mer! Just not feeling quite up to
anything other than being horizontal in my bunk. Felice got some of
those magic blue pills from the doctor - and I slept. Took one this
morning, and will continue to pop one every six hours until we are back
on terra firma.

It is a lot of fun watching my fellow travelers bouncing around while
attempting to move from place to place. "Keep one hand for the ship"
is the rule, and as I write, the ship is bobbing around on large swells.
We have been told to expect heavier winds later in the day. Since I am
fairly sure that today is Wednesday which means we have another couple
of days of acrobatics before docking in Ushuaia.

Time to begin the packing/unpacking/repacking routine. My Wellies are
stuffed full with small items, and that is as far as I have gotten. We
have a couple of lectures today, as well as the movie "An Inconvenient
Truth". If nothing else, we are kept busy. Did I tell you we took a
tour of the engine room? I believe I did - so won't tell you again.

An interesting point of information - I could have brought half of what I
packed and done just fine. All of us are walking around in the same
outfits most days. There is really no reason to change other than if
your clothing gets wet.

Already it feels as if it has been days and weeks since we sat among the
penguins, watched humpbacks breech, identified various species of birds,
visited Polish, Ukranian, and British scientific stations, and captured
photographs of leopard seals looking directly in our faces as we skimmed
across the water to our next landing. As with most adventures - this has
been too short (Other than our time in The Drake Passage, which has been
to long), and I am unwilling to leave this pristine world.

Gotta close. Four albatrosses behind the ship. Until later..

TheWanderingJu

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Heading North

It's been a couple of busy days down here. Landings, penguins, seals,
birds and icebergs. We made it south of the Antarctic Circle. And
todays landing was at Prospect Point, on the continent. So, it's
official, we have set foot on Antarctica!!! We have now started our
journey north and are heading for the Drake. No one is looking forward
to that part of the voyage!! The seas are already picking up and
everybody on board is checking their sea sick patches. I'm sure the
doctor is filling his syringes getting ready for the crossing. Words
cannot express what it's like to cross the Drake. You know that crab
fishing show from Alaska (Deadliest Catch). The Drake makes that look
like a wave pool!!!! It's quite intense.
"A Trip to Antarctica is the worst way to have the time of your life"
I'm sure that was written by someone crossing the Drake. We're doing
our best to prepare as is the ship. Chairs are being bolted to the
floor (no kidding), and Everything in our cabin has to be placed on the
floor because furniture will be traveling around in the night. Nothing
we can do but go through it! Everything that is loose is strapped down,
tables, chairs; even the computer monitor is bolted to the desk that is
strapped to the wall.
Pray for smooth sailing for us.
Love,
Felice, Bob and Judi

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February 11 ~ Close, but no cigar

5:30 AM - the first wake-up call of the day. "Good morning. Please do
not bother getting out of bed, as we will not be doing an early morning
landing." In the end, we did not make any landings today. The Captain
took us further south, into the Gullet, but we were unable to get
through. We returned to Detaille Island where Zodiacs were sent out to
see if a landing would be possible in today's weather - cold, rain,
sleet, snow, wind, and choppy seas. Not for the faint of heart - nor for
amateurs. The entire day was spent in the company of icebergs - and we
could not get enough of them. We "played" the cloud game - you know,
where you see a cloud and talk about the shape it has taken on. However,
this time icebergs were our imaginary shapes. When we finally dropped
anchor for the day, we were surrounded by snow covered mountains and
more icebergs.

Throughout the day we found ourselves busy. Gabe lectured on marsupials
and forests in the morning, Trivial Pursuit took up most of the
afternoon, followed by happy hour and a BBQ dinner.

At 10:00 the anchor was raised and we are on our way north. The schedule
shows a 6:30 wake-up for tomorrow, after which, if the weather
cooperates, we shall step onto The Antarctic Continent. By tomorrow
afternoon we will be headed north to the Drake Passage and, ultimately,
Ushuaia. It has been a long day. Until tomorrow. Thanks for coming along.

TheWanderingJu

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February 10 ~ Snow in The Ukraine

Slept in this morning - nearly 7:00. After breakfast we made two landings
in the Argentine Islands - Vernadsky Research Station on Galindez
Island, and Wordie House on Winter Island. The weather has changed,
becoming what one would expect Antarctica to look like - grey and
overcast, but beautiful as well.

Vernadsky was originally operated by the British Antarctic Survey between
1954 and 1996 - and was called Faraday. The Ukraine purchased the
station for one British pound, with the agreement that they would
continue meteorological observations. Faraday's claim to fame is that
it was integral to the discovery of the ozone hole above the Antarctic.
We were taken on a tour of this year-round Station - quite impressive -
and made our way to the most southerly gift shop on the planet. When
Vernadsky was Faraday, the carpenter who built her used the best wood
that was sent to build the bar, and the wood that comprised the shipping
crates to build the building. He was fired! The bar is great, offering a
drink of their home brewed vodka to any woman who leaves her bra with
them. Felice, good sport that she is, left one of hers behind, stating
"it was worth it, and I'd do it again." We returned to the coat room,
put our top layer and boots on, and headed back to the Zodiac landing at
the bottom of a rocky beach. Next stop, Wordie House.

Before I go on, I must share a few interesting points of information.
Four of our group were in a Zodiac this morning when a leopard seal
began following them, swimming under their boat, and doing everything
short of jumping in the boat with them. Additionally, last night,
Megan's Zodiac saw a leopard seal pair with a pup - apparently a very
rare sighting. And, last night, on Petermann, I stepped into a hole in
the ice that was knee deep. (Did I tell you this already?) My ski pants
kept me dry - and I had a great laugh from the experience. This morning,
Nancy fell while getting out of the Zodiac and ended up quite wet. One
person loaned her a pair of socks, and once she poured the water from
her boots, she was fine - and laughing all the time. We have a very nice
group, and everybody is willing and able to laugh at themselves - and
happy to laugh at the experiences of their fellow travelers.

On now, to Wordie House - operated as a British research station between
1947 and 1954, now an Antarctic Historic Monument. The building is named
after Sir James Wordie who was a member of Shackleton's Endurance
expedition. It gave us a very good insight into how men might have lived
during the era of early Antarctic Expeditions. The only wildlife on
these landings were some Skuas (birds) - and us. We did pass two
beautiful sailboats anchored in a cove. Quite an interesting thing to
see among all the ice and rock. I climbed a snow covered hill and was
rewarded with a breath taking view. Came down on my tush - faster and
more fun.

We returned in time for our 12:30 lunch, followed by a tour of the engine
room - including the area where they make fresh water via reverse
osmosis. The entire tour was quite interesting. There were ten of us,
and they are just winding down with tour number eight or nine. At 1530
(3:30 PM), Bernard gave a terrific lecture on glaciers, and as I write,
Happy Hour is in full swing. After dinner, Megan will give a lecture
entitled, Seals and Seal Research. It is amazing how busy we are kept.
If it's not the lectures, it's the landings, or it is the hundreds of
icebergs we are passing as we head south.

What, you may ask, does any of this have to do with "Snow in The
Ukraine"? Well, it began snowing this morning as we headed to Vernadsky
- and has continued all day. It was a cold day - two pair of socks; two
pair of thermal bottoms, plus jeans; two thermal tops, plus my jacket; a
headband and a hat; a neck gaiter to keep the wind out; two pair of
gloves and one pair of mittens; one pair of Wellies to keep my feet dry.
Does this outfit make me look fat?

During the night we will reach 66 hours, 33 minutes, 6 seconds - the
Antarctic Circle - sail below it and head to our destination for
tomorrow - Detaille Island. The adventure continues and I am glad you
have come along.

TheWanderingJu

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Ukrainian Station

Good morning everybody!
The weather has changed. The last few days have been so beautiful; clear
skies, calm waters and warm (in the 30's) temperatures. Today it's a
little overcast and the winds are picking up.
Yesterday we had 3 landings, and that means taking off and putting on all
the layers 3 times. We're exhausted! (but happy) One of the landings
was to Petermann Island, Circumcision Bay. Funny? Get it! That was a
night trip. We left the ship at 8:30 at night and came back just after
sunset at about 10:30 pm. It virtually daylight here all the time. I
sat and watched a colony of gentoo penguin for what seems like hours. I
had to finally stop taking pictures so I could just enjoy their
interaction. There's only one more month of summer, so the chicks have
to be ready for the winter by then, although from watching them, they
would prefer to stay the cute little fuzzy babies that they are now. In
the morning yesterday we went to the British Base - Lockroy Station.
Again, covered in penguins. I don't think I could ever get tired
watching them interact. We also had a pair of humpback whales circling
the ship out of curiosity. We've also had the pleasure of spotting a
pod of killer whales, about 10 whales in the pod. This is really a
magical place.
On to today: It's just after breakfast and we're going to the
Argentine Islands to Vernadsky Research Station on Galindez Island, and
also to Wordie House on Winter Island. I'm sure there will be
interesting wildlife to report on.
It's finally happened, the entire ship is healthy and we can stop
calling ourselves the "Voyage of the Damned". The doctor is certainly
relieved. Poor guy, was having a hard time keeping up with all the
sick. But that's over.
Antarctica is the most amazing place. Words and the best photography
cannot capture the experience, but we're sure trying. You'll let us
know at the picture party.
It has been determined that penguin wings are not a good source of
nutrition, and they're quite bony (hehe). I could never eat one of
those little guys anyway.
It's time to get ready and start putting on the layers. Oy, such hard
work!!
Edan and Adee - please check if this posting made it to the blog. And if
not, please post it there. Thanks!
Talk at you all soon.
Felice and Bob and Judi

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February 9 ~ Penguins, Penguins, Penguins

My morning began early - just like home. When I finally knew the time,
5:30, I was showered and dressed. Those who were still asleep would be
gently awakened at 6:30, with breakfast at 7:00, and the arrival of Rick
Atkinson, Base Commander of Port Lockroy scheduled for 8:45. We would
begin loading into the Zodiacs at 9:30. Rick gave us a wonderful and
historical overview of Port Lockroy - none of it can I remember off the
top of my head. Just take my word for it - it was very interesting. Our
Expeditionary Team is complete once more. Bob has returned from Sick
Call. If he had to sleep away a day, yesterday was a better choice (did
he have a choice?)

Our first stop would be at Jougla Point on Wienke Island, home to
thousands of Gentoo penguins. Two distinct features - they make a lot of
noise, and they stink. That being said, it was hypnotic. If you sit
yourself down on a cleanish rock and remain still they often approach.
A chick came up to me and nibbled on my leg. Human presence does not
concern or frighten them. We walked around, shot dozens upon dozens of
photos, and reminded ourselves over and over again what a privilege it
was to be in this place. There were many old whale bones about - even
one small, nearly intact skeleton.

Our next stop was Goudier Island, site of the world's most southerly
Post Office, and the first British base in the Antarctic. The base was
established in 1943 and closed in 1962. The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust
restored the buildings and runs it as a museum and shop - yes, SHOP. I
was mistaken. There is shopping in Antarctica! And shop we did. We also
spent approximately an hour visiting the Gentoo colony on Goudier - even
saw two nests with very, very young chicks. We were told the likelihood
of these chicks surviving was quite slim. With March comes autumn, the
base closes, and the sea is iced over. If a penguin is not mature enough
to sustain itself at sea until next spring, it is bound to perish.

As we sailed southward, we entered the Lemaire Channel, a/k/a Kodachrome
Alley. The reason for the name is obvious - photo opportunities abound.
The beauty and starkness of the black volcanic mountains, white snow,
and blue glacial snow keeps shutters clicking.

This afternoon Zodiacs took two different groups (broken up into port and
starboard cabins) out for an afternoon cruise around Pleneau Island to
view seals and icebergs.

At 2030 (8:30 PM) we will take a cruise to Petermann Island, landing at
Circumcision Bay, to visit Gentoo and Adelie penguin colonies. Dark
comes close to Midnight, and daylight returns around 3:30 AM.

I've filled a number of memory cards already. From professional to
amateur, this is a photographer's dream. We continue to head south,
hoping for our Antarctic Circle crossing. Until the next time, thanks
for coming along.

TheWanderingJu

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Port Lockroy

Hello to all,
We're getting ready to pull into Port Lockroy, a British station. There
are going to be lots of penguins of many different varieties. I'll be
taking extra batteries and flash cards. As far as bringing home some
penguins, I'd like nothing better. They are so much cuter in person.
Bob is alive and well. He came out of the cabin today and is again with
the living. It now seems as though the virus has circulated among
everyone. It jumped from the passengers to the crew now.
They're keeping us so busy with lectures, films and shore landings. We
couldn't have picked a better ship with a better crew. The ship only
carries 100 passengers so there are no lines for anything and by now
everybody knows everybody.
If you want to communicate with us, send an email to edan
(eshekar@gmail.com) or adee (shekar@nova.edu) and they can attach it to
their emails.
Thank you to everyone who is taking care of the puppies and the kitties.
We so appreciate it. Thank you, thank you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB EIGHMIE!!!!
LOVE,
Felice, Bob and Judi

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February 8 ~ Swimming in the Antarctic

Two landings today - both on Deception Island. Once again we have been
granted beautiful weather - sunny skies, fluffy white clouds, and golden
sun to warm us.

During this morning's landing we walked along the beach at Whaler's Bay
and met up with a pair of chinstrap penguins who, for the right price,
would pose for photos. Needless to say, we paid up - and shot until,
with a wave of their flippers, they dove into the incoming waves and
left us. When we got back to our landing spot we had the marvelous
opportunity to "swim" in a thermal pool. This "pool" was dug by
members of the crew, was directly on the edge of the bay, and was
DELICIOUS. Those of us who took the plunge changed out of our many
layers of clothing behind a rusted out whaling station. It was GREAT. I
didn't bring a bathing suit, but I didn't care. Clothing back on, we
headed back to our ship and were greeted with hot cocoa laced with rum -
mmm, mmm, good!

After another wonderful lunch, and a few moments to nap, we donned our
gear and headed out to Telefon Bay - no wildlife (other than all of us),
but the stark beauty of life amid volcanoes. The entire landscape looked
as if belonged on the moon - stark and empty. Black and white or brown -
those were the choices. We had a long walk up a steep incline to get to
the top where we could have an incredible view of the entire Caldera. I,
and many others, hiked half way up, rested a bit, and hiked back to the
beach. Every so often there were strong gusts of wind to remind us that
we are not in charge. When we were safely back in our Zodiac, we took a
bit of a tour and found out that the mountain we had been hiking on was
actually a glacier. Back to the ship - no cocoa waited for us at the top
of the stairs this time - and out of our gear for the last time today.

For those of you who are asking "How are Bob and Felice?", here's the
story. Felice is fine. She and I went ashore together this morning, but
after lunch she fell asleep while studying and missed the shore
excursion. Bob? He's been asleep the entire day. Perhaps we'll see him
out and about this evening. This is NOT mal de mer. This is a virus that
is traveling the ship. We are all making every attempt to keep ourselves
germ-free.

There is a briefing that begins - oops, five minutes ago, after which
there will be dinner and a couple of movies. It seems to be getting
choppy. I am headed to the briefing. Talk to you soon.

TheWanderingJu ~ Judi

February 8 ~ Headed to Deception Island

Thursday, February 7 - At Sea

Noticed that the e-mail address I used to send yesterday's report to
Felice and Bob's BLOG was incorrect - as was the day of the week. It is
so easy to lose track of time - very long days filled with lectures,
landings, meals, and "Gear on, gear off". For those of you who may
remember the movie The Karate Kid, you will recall the line used by Mr.
Miagi (my excuses to the Miagi family for butchering their name), "Wax
on, wax off". We are doing much the same thing, and for Floridians,
whose gear consists mostly of shorts and tank tops, it is a chore that
leaves one breathless. But, I ramble. To Felice and Bob's friends and
family; in order to read yesterday's report, please click on the link
that will take you to my BLOG.

Friday, February 8 - At Sea

Yesterday was sent from heaven - blue skies, fluffy marshmallow clouds,
calm seas, seals (brown fur and elephant), penguins (adelie and
chinstrap), and the promise of more to come. We had two landings -
morning and afternoon (please forgive me, I did not bring my notes up to
the library, and have forgotten a few facts). Our morning landing, which
I wrote about yesterday, was on Penguin Island. The name of the island
we visited during our afternoon landing escapes me, as does the name of
the Polish Antarctic Station we visited. What a glorious afternoon it
was. I was much stronger, walked the beach, took dozens of photos,
tripped and fell over a whale vertebra (no injury to me or my cameras),
and saw my first penguins close up (having missed the chinstrap colony
in the morning), and visited at the Polish station. We were well
received and felt like honored guests. One woman, a 25-year old marine
biologist, left her husband behind and came down here for a three month
opportunity of a lifetime. Another woman, also a marine biologist, was
here for her 6th or 8th year.

We returned to our home, MV Polar Star, did the "Wax on, wax off"
thing, went to the evening's briefing, and readied ourselves for
dinner. Felice took a couple of naps throughout the day, but said she
was fine. After dinner, Felice went straight to bed, with a low grade
temp, and Bob and I went to a lecture on Whaling. Half way through, he
headed back to the cabin - not feeing well - and later in the evening he
joined our little group of "unwells". Both of them are still asleep,
and I am sure they will be up and about by breakfast. It is lousy to
feel so lousy on this once in a lifetime adventure. However, we know the
drill - "Man proposes, G-d disposes.", "The best laid plans...",
etc. We, the entire ship are just going with the flow and pushing
ourselves to grab each and every experience.

We will write later this evening after our two landings on Deception
Island - knowing full well that those plans can change as quickly as the
weather in Antarctica. It is GLORIOUS here, and I feel privileged and
fortunate.

TheWanderingJu for Judi, Felice, and Bob

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Another Attempt

Wednesday, February 7 - At Sea

Weather cooperative, company excellent. We had our first landing this
morning - Penguin Island. There were seals as far as the eye could see -
and penguins at the far end of the island (where I did not go - still
feeling weak). This dressing, undressing, redressing thing is exhausting
- even for the people who are 100% healthy. We are wearing so many
layers, but learning to cope. Felice and Bob get into shorts and
tank-tops as soon as they get back on board. We had a delicious lunch,
and are being called for this afternoon's landing - another opportunity
to "dress up" We've had so much trouble sending these e-mails. Below
you will find a few we sent out but are fairly sure did not get through.
They are unfinished because the system truncates them. But, it's
something to read. Will try to write tomorrow morning - depending upon
our schedule.

Thanks for coming along - Judi, Felice, Bob, and the entire Antarctic
Peninsula.

MONDAY - Felice Report (Judi in bed)

Greetings from Drakes Passage, and what a ride it's been so far. We
left the port last night at 6pm. All was smooth sailing. But not for
long. We first went through Beagle Channel, which was smooth and
beautiful. Out one side of the ship was Chile and the other side
Argentina.
Then we got in Drakes Passage (check it out in an atlas, or wikipedia or
google it for more info) at about midnight. The winds were 30-40
knots, the seas were 35-40 FEET. What a ride! The furniture danced all
over the room, crap was falling off shelves, and we were sliding on the
sheets. All three of us are wearing our sea-sick patches. Apparently

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TUESDAY - Felice Report:

Good Morning Everybody. It's 7:50 am and all three of us are here.=20
Yes, Judi is here. She's finally better. She slept all day yesterday
and all night with no problems. Other than feeling a little weak,
she's fine. We're waiting for breakfast and have already seen some
Cape Petrol (birds). Again, check out Wikipedia or google. They're
beautiful.
There's been a change of schedule due to the weather. In order to keep
Judi (and everyone else) from being sick we're heading further east and
will make our first landing tonight at Elephant Island, where Shackleton
is throwing a party for us. We're finally gonna find out if penguin is
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TUESDAY - Judi Report

I do hope this reports gets out, because somehow, our e-mails have been
bouncing back. With a strong feeling of faith (and a heart filled with
hope) I am writing - for the first time - and do hope you will see this.

We are close to Elephant Island, and will be going ashore around 8:00
tonight. It has been a day filled with lectures (I got everybody's
attention by snoring in a corner) and we left our cabin a few moments
ago to get our first glimpse ff a an iceburg. It was COLD on the bridge
so I did not stay outside for longer than it took to snap a couple of
photos. They are calling us for another lecture. I am sure we will write

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February 4 - Ushuaia At Last

What a day we had yesterday. If you have traveled in a group, you know the drill - bags outside your hotel room by a certain time (for us it was 8:00), breakfast, meet in the lobby for a tour of the city. We did all of the above - went to the cemetery where Eva Perrone is buried (could have spent hours just walking around this interesting cemetery), strolled through an artisans market, had another delicious meal (huge portions for the carnivores in the group), and headed to the small airport for our flight south - they even fed us on this flight - my favorite, a ham sandwich.

As we descended through the clouds, Mother Nature got my attention - black mountains peaked with snow resembling melted marshmallows, waters filled with white caps, and wind, lots of it. The landing was rough, the pilot expert in his execution. We are here. There were "greeters" to gather our flock together as Gabe and Bob and a few of the other men pulled our cases off the luggage carousel. (Here we are, Felice and I, with our packs.) When we walked outside the wind was so strong that it nearly took me off my feet. I was unable to walk to the bus, it was that powerful. A man standing nearby had to hold onto me and push me in the direction of our bus so I would be standing in a windbreak.

We drove through Ushuaia, up into the mountains, to our beautiful home for the night, Hotel del Glaciar. Dinner was late, perhaps 10:30. However, when it is so light and bright outside, we forget. By the way - who won the Super Bowl?

We overlook Ushuaia Bay, and this morning´s sunrise was filled with the promise of blue skies and soft breezes. Time for breakfast. Today we tour a National Park here and have a bit of free time in town before heading to our home for the next eleven days - MV Polar Star. Until next time.

Me - TheWanderingJu

February 2 - Hola a Buenos Aires

We have arrived. Had a great flight - drooled all the way to South America after a terrific meal - including ice cream for dessert (one of the MAJOR food groups). This Business Class section had seats that reclined nearly flat into a bed, along with a big comfortable pillow, a down-filled comforter, a Bose noise cancelling headset for listening to the movies and music that were all available On Demand. Took off late, landed safely (the most important part of any flight).

Our hotel, Hotel Elevage, is beautiful. One little glitch - when I arrived I had been put into a room with a woman who was signed up as a single supplement (having paid extra for the privilege), and it took a lot of work on Gabriel´s part (he is our wonderful guide) to get me a single room of my own. While I waited I read - then taking the pillows off the back of one of the couches in the lobby, I napped. Patience is always a virtue - my room is wonderful.

We toured a bit today, will tour again tomorrow before heading back to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia - approximately 3 1/2 hours. It is HOT here - warmer than the weather I left behind in south Florida. Hard to conceptualize that it will be cold very soon. Our meals have been exceptional. There are a number of us who are vegetarians and we are being well fed.

I am on a computer in the lobby area, and on a time budget. There is a card reader attached, no luck getting photos attached. Time marching on. Must close this. Until next time.

Judi a/k/a TheWanderingJu

February 1 ~ Outta here!

One hour until I leave for the airport ~ Backpack 35 pounds - a number of which I will be wearing for the flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia; Carry-on 16 (but small enough to NOT be questioned - one would hope). Weight is nothing to worry about for this flight, and it will all get sorted out before the next. That being said, I am as ready as possible and anxious to begin the adventure. See you the next time I have Internet access.

Judi a/k/a TheWanderingJu

Check it out. Where in the world is Judi?

Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country.

Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective.

GoogleEarth_Placemark.kmz (application/vnd.google-earth.kmz) 1kb
(http://earth.google.com/)

Some Sites About The Sights

http://www.polarstarexpeditions.com/

 

http://www.raydoan.com/abouts/about03a.htm

 

http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/stations/index.shtml

 

http://www.ipy.org/

 

http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/

 

http://antarcticsun.usap.gov/

January 29 ~ Packing/Unpacking/Repacking .. second attempt

We have all had this happen to us. Write an e-mail, get it right, hit the "send" button, and disaster - the message disappears. That just happened to me. We know the drill - rewrite, but without that original "brilliance". That being said, here goes my attempt at Packing~Unpacking~Repacking part deux.

In my travels, getting light (my suitcase) has been a constant goal. For our flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia weight is not an option - but the rule. With that in mind, I have been repacking and rethinking everything. Yesterday I was most interested in the large number of accessories that have become a part of our lives with the advent of cell phones, digital cameras, computers, and more. Taking a digital camera? (I am taking THREE) Extra batteries, spare lens cap straps, battery chargers and cords, memory cards - lots of 'em for this trip, filters, tissues for cleaning the lenses, etc. and so on. I spent a good part of the day putting these small items into small bags and making a list to remind me where I could find the aforementioned items when I needed them. All of this will go into my carry-on bag - a waterproof backpack that is in transit as I write.

Felice and Bob have three more wake ups, and I have four, until we head out on this adventure of a lifetime that is like nothing we have done on earth, and feels like travel to another planet. Until next time ...

Judi ~ TheWanderingJu

January 26 ~ Weigh-in

Packing list -

Right boot - Sock liners, glove liners, shorts (yep, taking one pair of shorts), 4-pair of wool socks, 2-pair of short socks.
Left boot - Mittens, black NorthFace hat, quasi Peruvian wool hat with ear flaps, handwarmers, fingerless gloves.

Won't bore you with what can be found in the bottom section, main section (the aforementioned Wellies/Boots are found there), top section, and front pocket. But, you get my drift. In days gone by we had a suitcase - open it and find what you need in the singular square space. These days things are so much more complicated - from our desktops to our laptops, from our purses to our briefcases - filled with more spaces and/or pockets to put things into than are necessary, leading most of us to become mumbling and bumbling idiots as we search for that paper, book, wallet, Tylenol, or item of clothing that we know we "have someplace".

The moment of truth has come - how much does my backpack weigh? As you know - if you have been following along - for our in-country flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia we are allowed one checked bag weighing NO MORE THAN 33-pounds, and one carry-on weighing 11-pounds or less. The former is strictly adhered to - the latter not so much (as long as your bag is not unreasonably large). I borrowed a scale from Kenny and Angie, weighed myself, stepped off, picked up the pack, stepped back on - 30 pounds (the pack - not me). Took out two small books that I want to bring along - 28.5 pounds. Perfect! If my case seems to gain weight during our couple of days in Buenos Aires, I'll stuff the pockets of my jacket with gloves, mittens, scarves, and anything else I can think of to bring the weight down.

For your reading pleasure, I've added a reading list to the BLOG, as well as a couple of links to other sites - Felice and Bob's BLOG, and the Mississippi River Ride that Holly and I took last summer. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for these) There will be a quiz!

Until next time ~ Judi a/k/a TheWanderingJu

January 23 ~ Last Day at Work

This might be how Shackleton felt, saying good-bye to his friends and colleagues as he prepared for his journeys to White South. Or perhaps not. For me, there was the strong need to say my good-byes to people at work, to give and receive hugs, while trying very hard to keep myself from jumping out of my skin. The excitement has become electric.

With all the men, supplies, and gear that Shackleton brought along on his most famous expedition, I doubt he had "what have I forgotten?" churning around his mind quite as much as we do. We cannot stop shopping. We keep remembering "just one more thing" that we need. That being said, just before writing this post, Felice and I did a little last minute shopping - she in front of her computer and me in front of mine (saves on gas). I ordered a waterproof backpack for my cameras and other gear that I will take along as we leave the ship and venture out. Felice ordered the same one a couple of weeks ago - she, too, is a photography buff. Additionally, we both ordered waterproof - to 15 feet - bags for our small point and shoot cameras. This will allow us to use them - and the camcorder Bob is bringing along - while we are skimming across the sea in our Zodiac.

Felice's pack is down under the requisite 33 pounds. I will let you know how I do when I begin the ritual that Holly and I call packing-unpacking-repacking when we are preparing for and in the midst of some of the cycling adventures we have shared. Until the next time.

Judi ~ TheWanderingJu

Introducing ....

January 20 ~ The Packing Process

Had lunch with Felice today. She and Bob did a 'practice' pack. For our flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia we are limited to one checked bag weighing no more than 33-pounds, and one carry-on weighing no more than 11-pounds. Felice's checked bag was three pounds over, to which Bob commented, "Do you really need three hats?"

As Felice says - they are now 11 wake-ups from leaving, and I am 12. As it gets closer it becomes more real and less real all at the same time. It is exciting, nerve-wracking, scary, and many other emotions. Will write again when I get to my 'practice' pack - probably not before the end of this week.

January 17 ~ Count Down to White South

Fifteen days left until I head out on the adventure of a lifetime - Antarctica via Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in Argentina. My travel companions - Felice Shekar and Bob Harskell, as well as 95 other adventurers (including 4-dozen other Elderhostelers). Please join us as we travel from the moderate temperatures of South Florida's winter to the heat of summer in Buenos Aires; from the cool beauty of Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia - the southernmost city in the World- through the Drake Passage, and to our final destination - Antarctica.