The first dispatch is in from Anne. Today is a sea day, enroute to the Falklands:
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We're happy to report all of us made it onboard the ship. We are settling into a sea day with lectures in the morning, poolside German buffet for lunch and time with our 'photo coach' mid-afternoon. I suspect some POOCH will be
breaking out this afternoon.

The FJANDAN Reunion (FJORDS, PANDA and Neither) dinner was great fun. The food worked out well; there was something for everyone on offer. The dessert section of the buffet? Wicked is the word! A single slice of Sacher torte would satisfy an army. Come to think of it, maybe THAT was the reason I was watching way too many Latin American soap operas and not getting enough sleep.

We dutifully got our wake-up calls at 4:30 am. Breakfast was a madhouse – a buffet was quickly demolished by the first wave of passengers. Resetting places was simply not a happening thing. Eventually it all got sorted out. Grant, Dena, Gary and I were bringing up the rear of the bus line. Things were as organized as they could be, but trying to check in 200 passengers with two agents spelled trouble. The check-in line at the airport was truly a sight to behold - it stretched the length of half of the check-in desks. We had just walked in the door with our pre-loaded luggage trolley. One passenger fainted just in front of us, so the Regent reps got her settled and in a wheel
chair. It took a good 50 minutes to make the trek to check-in. In the meantime, I showed Grant and Dena a most appropriate piece of airport art.It's a monument to luggage. A tower of suitcases is centered and a line of
different colored suitcases is in a line to offset the tower in a rainbow of colors. The Chileans have a sense of humor, all right. Now we know where the permanently lost luggage resides!

After heading through immigration, the flight was boarding. We were on an A320 operated by LAN airlines. The plane had leather seats, a little more comfortable than the cloth ones we had to and from Calama. We left at 9 am, 30 minutes past schedule. Flight time was 3.5 hours, including the 'all the calories you need in a single day' snack box with our coffee. We were blessed with largely clear skies, so we got the aerial tour of the Andes, the Chilean Lake District and then crossed over into Argentina with a breathtaking view of the Fitzroy and Perito Moreno glaciers. Words fail to give an adequate description of how beautiful the mountains, glaciers and scenery are in this
part of the world. The ice includes ribbons of debris from the mountains as the ice moves towards the lake. It is simply spectacular, both for the sheer beauty as well as the sheer size. We started our descent into Ushuaia (the 'h'
is silent in Spanish) and the winds were howling. We bumped our way onto the runway. Our pilot .. he da man!

We offloaded around 1:30 from the airplane. The departing guests are waving at us from the boarding gate. Ms. Understood had a sign so we waved to her. She was mouthing 'GREAT TRIP!' Whew! The rest of the departing passengers had put together a pantomine demonstrating the many uses for the seasickness bags. Very funny! Immigration was quickly complete and we headed over for the buses. WHAM! Da pilot was not kidding .. winds of 40 knots blew us nearly backwards. Hmmm . is this a sign of things to come? Were the guests not just yanking our
chains?

Lunch was an Argentine barbeque mixed grill, small salad and bread. The waiters and waitresses then put on a 20 minute dance number. On my best days, loaded up with pisco sours, I don't think I could execute some of those tap dance steps. The knives and whips were also an added attraction. This all concluded about 3:45, and we were anxious to get welcomed aboard Explorer II. We cleared the port security and got the full force of the wind. It was hard walking. I tried to get a picture but my hair kept blowing in front of the lens. Hoo doggie!

Up the gangway, unpack the suitcases and head over to find the champagne and company. We had a lovely visit with Al and Betty, Susan and Russell and Richard. We had a great time swapping travel stories at dinner with Jim & Pat Bittle. Gary's lamb looked outstanding and I enjoyed my steak. Such fun! We departed Ushuaia about an hour late (winds were too strong to safely cast off) and then were underway during dinner. We poked our head outdoors and the weather was much calmer and warmer. That was a relief. The bed has safety arms up near the head, so it's a bit like sleeping in a hospital bed. They warned us to secure our rooms .. meaning stick the towels in the minibar so the clanking cans don't drive you and everyone else nuts; oh yea and while you're at it put your camera in a drawer or on the floor. There was some rocking and rolling. Everything is quite seriously bolted down on board. I got a great picture of the grand piano sporting four .. count 'em, four .. chains and locks. Umm .. memo to self: Cold towels are not best for morning showers.

The not-so-fun part is while our nights onboard count towards tier benefitis, tier benefits don't apply to this cruise. Nigel Clayton is the 'go to' guy for Regent and is doubling as the cruise consultant. We've got a Regent chef and
the Regent menu. Otherwise, it's A&K standard (very nice to be sure).

All in all, we're off to a very good start. Breakfast was great and we got to catch up with Andrea. The weather today is again temperate. After that, it was mud room mania as we were all switching out our boots and parkas for better sizes. We've invited one of the zodiac drivers .. Sarah from New Zealand .. to join a handful of us for dinner. We're all neophytes so are hoping to get the skinny on our outings. Tomorrow .. the Stanley pub crawl awaits.

Cheers, Anne

Thanks for posting Leslie!! I'm so glad they all made it onboard. It does sound like they're in for quite an adventure. So happy to hear from Anne!!

Anne writes the best seamail (well, Fred is awfully good too).

Thanks so much for keeping us updated!!

Thanks, Leslie. I always look forward to Anne's colorful commentary/trip reports. They're without a doubt, the best!

It sounds like they are off to a good start for this adventure, thanks for sharing with us!

Great seamail, Anne. I think I might be just as happy at home in Houston right now (70 degrees expected), although the group sounds like a great one. Happy zodiacing to you all.
:p Is anyone this color yet?

Wow, what a great Sea Mail! :app:

Thanks, Anne & Leslie - sounds like quite the adventure so far!

Thanks for the great sea mail.

Nancy

Wonderful colorful report, as always...thanks!!!

I can't believe I'm here after waiting such a looong time for this! Super trip down here!! We're in the Falklands right now, jumping onto computers at the visitor's center. Cold overcast day but doesn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. Andrea & I jumped onto the computers here. There's not much opened - it's Sunday. I was able to text message my daughter from Ushuaia - she received it and messaged back. Very exciting. When we got off of the plane, I saw "Ms. Understood's" LCT sign on the other side of the glass waiting room. Hi MS Understood! I was the one who ran up the stairs to wave at you! Thanks for the fun greeting!

Off to the races - this trip has already gone beyond my expectations.

Hi everyone!! Yes, this is our last chance for internet until we get back to Santiago on the 15th, so Michele and I are making the most of it.

Anne did a great job describing our trip so far, so I will leave the colorful commentary to her.

The weather has been quite lovely, and even though we thought we were in for a bumpy ride the first night I have to say it wasn't bad at all. Of course, I put on the Scopace patch right away - I didn't want to chance it! It definitely does dry out my mouth - maybe that's why I drank 3 amaretto sours at dinner last night!

The only downside so far is that the treadmill is broken and won't be repaired during our trip, so I will be running on the promenade deck - 8 laps = 1 mile. Knowing me I'll lose count! They do have a great Life Fitness crosstrainer, so I was up bright and early this morning to work out.

Well, Michele and I are about to head out and do some shopping - we must get some penguin wear!

Great to hear from you Michele and Andrea! :app:

So great to hear from you!!

I guess I'll just have to make do with the ship's log for now....hey, why don't you have a "mutiny" and write it?

Hi Michelle. I saw you as you came back up the stairs and immediately recognized you! I also recognized Andrea on sight. Some day I may post a picture, but my sign seemed to work pretty well altho my fellow departing pax were very confused by it! You will all have such a fantastic time. It truly is the trip of a lifetime
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Helen

Thanks for checking in, Andrea & Michelle.

Welcome home, Helen. Do you plan to write up your trip for us? Would love to hear all about it.

I will, Beth. Just catching up at work.
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Helen

Next dispatch from Anne -


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We enjoyed a peaceful sea day heading east from Ushuaia and arrived early this morning in Stanley, The Falkland Islands. The weather has gotten progressively more rainy and cool, so most of us are back aboard and waiting to head off to
South Georgia Island.

We had several whale sightings around mid-day. I swear I saw two of 'em close to the ship. The day started off with the bird lecture ( I was busy writing y'all during that lecture). After that, we had the Falkland Islands Tourist
Booster talk, followed by the Pataogonia Toothfish Scarcity Problem (a/k/a Chilean Sea Bass). Nap time snuck up on me, so I multitasked. Snooze and keep half an ear open for anything useful. Following that, it turns out jackets ARE
required on this boat. The vast majority were wearing their red parkas whilst scarfing down sausage, German potato salad, sauerkraut and double sized glasses of German beers. Six of us (of course Grant and Dena) were resisting the
parka treatment. We saw the Royal North Albatross that visits from New Zealand. They feed in this area for a year and go back to New Zealand to breed every other year. They stay on the sea for a full year. Amazing!

Following the German 'snack' before lunch (???) we got ready for the 2:30 POOCH kick-off. I taught the beginners and Ngaire kept the experienced players going. As per usual, everyone enjoyed themselves and got into the spirit of
the game quickly. We kept the scoresheets and split up in time for the late afternoon lectures. Folks, I was the walking zombie. I demonstrated at least 21 ways to sleep soundly through a lecture without snoring. We got ready and
camped out in the Shackleton Bar whilst the Captain's welcome was underway. We
did the fastest spin I've seen through the 'greet and meet' with the captain.
After that, we had invited Sarah for dinner (one of our zodiac drivers) along
with Grant, Dena, Tom, Pam, Andrea and Richard. Knowing tables for 8 were
scarce, we lined up and made a beeline to the table we wanted. We had a most
delightful evening. The assembled company discovered (a) amaretto sours taste
as good as ever; (b) Gary permanently stays on East Coast time and (c) if
offered a Phillipine popsicle (a/k/a 'balut') educate yourself first. It's a
'man' thing. Ladies, decline politely but firmly. Lots of laughs and good
discussion with Sarah. She was a very good sport as we came up with all kinds
of scenarios and questions.

Following dinner, we headed back to Shackleton's, where they serve late night
snacks. Several of us had been unsuccessful in tracking down blueberries.
Voila! Blueberry bite-sized tarts appeared. It was a feeding frenzy when we
find those.

Our cruise director had challenged us to get more than 18 people on the dance
floor. We'd had enough liquor to get a posse together. Ack! The band had
deserted the dance lounge. What to do? Only one thing .. head up to South
Cape bar. All the seats were bolted down, so we were energetic enough to try
to unscrew them. Don cracked the code and next thing you knew, the Great
Liberation Of Chairs Knightly (GLOCK) was underway. We got all kinds of chairs
arranged and had a wonderful time catching up with each other. Susan's
birthday had been celebrated with lots of gusto and birthday songs by our
staff.

We landed in the Falklands around 6 am. I must interrupt my sequential tail to
advise you "Houston, we have a problem!" The shipboard announcements are
frequent, often repetitive, in all the cabins and are LOUD. You do not sleep
in on this cruise. It's like Disembarkation Day every morning. This must
change. We are planning to mobilize the Announcement Rationalization System
Administration force (ARSE). We headed out for the Anglican church service,
shopping and the Port Stanley Pub Crawl. We started at Deano's, moved on to
the Victory, then to the Brasserie (sold out!) and finally found two Scottish
militia running double time in their kilts with the Scottish Flag hairdo
(bright blue with the white cross) towards the Globe. We carefully measured
the number of steps to the shuttle bus (less than 50) and headed in for fish 'n
chips and libations. Most of our number wandered in. We struck up a
conversation with the young Air Force and Army guys. I talked about visiting
York and was treated to the Yorkshire Rose tattoo on the young man's thigh.

We hoped to head out to Gypsy Cove to see the penguins and walk back. Alas,
the weather continued to deteriorate so we headed for home. We did manage to
score a hand-knitted wood headband, a penguin hat and the only lamb hat in the
whole store. I'm happy, Andrea is happy and Ngaire is happy sporting our new
chapeaus.

It's getting time for yet another POOCH fest. We sail at 4 pm sharp (unless
our captain decides otherwise). We think the weather means we've avoided the
worst of the stuff stirring up below us. More later ..

Delightful as always! DO tell more about Phillipine popsicle, unbolting chairs etc.! And was the Yorkshire Rose tattoo worth looking at?

Hey, I know what a Phillipine Popsicle is! Gad Zooks...erk. Has anyone seen Olivia? This cruise sounds most....um-m-m interesting. Soldier on Annie!

OMG!!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

So good to hear from you Anne!! Olivia hasn't been mentioned, hope she's OK with the rocking and rolling.

Maybe Leslie will ask Anne about Olivia for us??

Anne, you are hysterical!!!

Sounds like y'all are having a blast! :banana:

I need some help from the Icers. Can somebody email them for me? My nephew left a text book on the ship that he borrowed from his professor who told him it was hers when she was in college!!! He left it in the main lounge when we disembarked on Friday. Its called "Art and Architecture in Medievel France". He is beside himself about how to explain this loss. I thought "hey I know some very helpful people who are on the ship right now. If it was turned in (and who else would want it really) maybe someone can get it for him" I would be so appreciative since this has left him with a cloud over his great trip to the White Continent. Thanks,
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Helen

Helen - I just e-mailed Anne asking her to let me know about the book when she sends her next dispatch.

Meantime, this report from the ICE just in from Anne.

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You know the old saying 'It must be 5 o'clock somewhere?' Well, it's 5 :15
here so we've made a toast in your honor.

Weather is a factor. Our captain ordered a lockdown of the portholes for
cabins on the bottom deck in anticipation of 'very heavy' weather. This means
many of our ICEes are forming a subgroup, reliving The Clan of the Cave Bears.
Pitch black while the ship is pitching? I say "Y'eeear Out!". Our collective
'yellow alert' was raised last night. Fortunately, it turns out our captain
has a low threshold for what constituted a storm. Let's hope his luck holds for
the rest of the voyage. We are at sea today en route to South Georgia.
Blessedly, the ARSE squad has rationalized the number of announcements today.
We are all most grateful.

On the topic of el capitan .. he is a delightful guy. He figured out how to
hook up his laptop so we had the option of watching the Super Bowl via audio
link and a scoreboard update. Rumor has it he has a stash of fresh orangecello
for his special guests. Jim and Pat Bittle demonstrated incredible
multitasking abilities, playing POOCH and selling boxes on the Super Bowl pool.
Dinner was delightful with Michele, Don and Andrea. I think I fell asleep
somewhere between walking into our cabin and hitting the bed. We spent a lazy
morning rolling with the waves. There was a lecture on who won the race to
Antarctica (hint: Amundsen and then keep the talk going for another 50
minutes). The Photo Coach had an hour long session. Everyone who has a point
and shoot camera is now searching out a lanyard. Lots of practice photography
taking place today outside. Gary dressed up like Oscar on Sesame Street to
head out into the cold. I had a leisurely morning chatting with Pam, Sandy
and John (Olivia's sister and brother in law). We ambled to La Verandah for
lunch and then played two rounds of POOCH. We have lots of new recruits on
this trip.

All in all, a lazy day on the sea. I'm hoping we'll have a Mardi Gras
celebration tomorrow. Hope all is well with the home team!

Cheers, Anne

OH Anne your reports are A plus plus - what an interesting trip can't wait to see pixs - say hi to O's sister and BIL - really nice couple! Thanks for keeping us informed - and laughing :app: :app:

Anne, your reports continue to inform and entertain!

Thanks for posting, Leslie!

Thanks so much Leslie. I think the Captain sets up his pax by predicting weather far worse than he really expects so we will be so happy when it doesn't happen. He sounds a bit like Eeyore when he makes his daily announcements. Really a delighful guy though. Party on, Icers!
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Helen

Last year on the Hanseatic we had our worst weather enroute to South Georgia - there was a lot of rolling & slamming and the barf bags were out on the hallway rails. As we approached S. Georgia the captain managed to anchor in a place that was out of the wind adding a bit to our next day's cruising but it really helped us all getting a good night's sleep on our 2nd night.

I've been so enjoying these reports. They sure brighten my day.

Great reporting! I think Anne should have a new career as a writer! She could give Carl Hiassen a run for the money.

I am enjoying these posts immensely too. They bring back the fondest of memories. I trust you folks are also reading the trip log on the A&K web site. Today's includes a photo of the POOCH crowd.

Pat

editing: I found the link http://www.abercrombiekent.com/index.cfm?navid=3.2.4.1

Anne just sent this to Leslie and/or me to post for Ms. Understood, in the event Leslie is on the slopes and unable to do so -

Hi Denise and Leslie!

Leslie, I'm copying Denise in case she can get back to Ms Understood whilst you
are waist deep in powder (you lucky duck!)

Helen -

I'm so sorry to hear your nephew's textbook has gone missing. I've checked
with reception and they have no evidence the book was turned in. I am
partially finished with a methodical search of the library shelves. I'm
feeling lucky .. I've found 'Art and Architecture in Spain.' May the Art and
Architecture gods be with us!

Three other questions:

First, what does the book look like (size, color, thickness)? That will help
us try to locate it.

Second, what cabin was your nephew in? I'll approach the current occupants and
ask them to check under beds, etc. on the off chance it did not turn up when
they cleaned the room.

Third - was there anywhere he took the book other than his cabin? I'm finding
there are books stacked behind books in the library. If he was in one of the
lounges, it might be worth a look.

We'll do our best to find it. Cheers, Anne

A few of us got a few minutes free internet on the Explorer on a beta test. ICE is great and we're all having a blast and the pooch tables are expanding. South Georgia tomorrow.
Jim

We have great news....will have interet access on ship by tomorrow - very exciting. On palm pilot right now so this is short. We are having a blast - S Georgia and the kings tommorrow.

How's Olivia?? It seems that no one has mentioned her, hope she's not sea sick! I know how sensitive she is to motion.