we're in for dinner. Andi, are you ready to be our shopping guide in BA. Shoes anyone? bags jackets, art, antiques??

Guide no...follower....yes!

Betty, we are on same Delta flight; we will meet you in Crown Room before flight (currently, we have five hour layover in Atlanta; don't want to take chances).

What. You are the all time shopping queen. this is it for shopping. I don't think the penguins are much for merchendising

Gosh...I was looking for some nice pink penguin poop.

Andrea and I are at the Four Seasons. We'd certainly be up for a good steak dinner.
I arrive in Buenos Aires on the morning of the 10th on AA from Dallas.

I was going to pull together a dinner for the night before we leave for Ushuaia, but we can do it on the 11th too. Whatever the majority would like!

Betty and I are coming in on the 11th. Andrea, I am game with your dinner planning for us.

Pammy, I have the name of some good leather shops. When I get home later today, I'll post the names and locations here.

Just found this article on the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf splitting. Interesting read. Wonder if we might see it in January?

Pammy, Here are three leather shops I've found reviews on. It will give you and Andi a start!!

Silvia Eisele Cueros Arenales and Austria Phone: 541148299358 www.silviaeiselecueros.com.ar

El Boyero on Florida Street. The best quality stuff with different kinds of leather. Not bargain prices, but it's top quality.

Silvia y Mario, a great family owned store. Great prices and designs. Leather jackets, shirts, skirts. High quality garments Address: Marcelo T. de Alvear 550 http://www.silviaymario.com/en/

I just wore my possum this weekend for the snow storm.

beth thanks for the info.

Hope you all have an encounter like this !

The killer whale pod was hot on his trail looking for a meal.
He must have been terrified.
He had a decision to make. He chose what he hoped was the lesser of two evils. He chose the boat.
This is a once in a lifetime video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJaMtBKnN-I

Thanks Peggy...it was this little guy's lucky day.

Two months from tomorrow, we board the Silver Explorer. Are you ZODIs ready!!!!!

Almost...need gloves. Doug needs everything. Can you tell who is more excited?

I'm like Doug. Need everything but have started to look at a few catalogs. Does that count?

Sorry, just me.
I don't get jazzed until just before we leave.
Then, of course, I get crazed about all the last minute details.
I did order some extra media cards the other day.
Hmmm... media cards or gloves. Wonder where my head is at?

It will all work out in the end.... it always does.

Doug

I'm so Type A and love to plan and gather volumes of information. Usually I begin gathering up my clothes 4-5 weeks before I leave and start putting things in my suitcase a week before. Just to let you know, I have begun putting clothes in my front bedroom!!

Saw my eye doctor this month and he suggested that since I'm a contact wearer, I may want to change my contacts out three times a day due to dryness in Antarctica. Also rewetting drops will be very helpful. Anyone else have any tips?

Beth:
I also wear contacts. I wear monthlies. When you say "change out", do you mean changing the actual lens or merely removing them and placing them in some sort of wetting solution for a while?
As it happens, I will soon be having dinner w/ my eye doctor (he and his wife are family friends), I shall put this question to him. He lives in Arizona where, as you know, it is a dry heat. I'll pass along any advice I receive.

Doug

I would think ski googles would work really well with contacts. I never had any problems with contacts when skiing in really cold, dry weather out west as long as I wore goggles.

I just looked up some stuff and found this...

EYEWEAR POLICY FOR ANTARCTICA
Everyone in Antarctica is required to wear sunglasses! You are traveling to a part of the world where scientists have documented increased ultraviolet radiation due to depletion in the ozone layer. Snow and ice reflect 85% of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) and can cause a serious, painful and disabling condition known as snow blindness. Sunglasses are especially important on windy days to protect against volcanic ash particles and blowing snow in the eyes.
The type of sunglasses you wear while you are in Antarctica is very important. Sunglasses must block 100% of the sun’s Ultraviolet Rays. Some dark glasses do not block UVR and cause the iris to widen and admit more light that can cause damage to the eye. Frames must be non-metal to avoid injury to the skin from the cold. Retaining straps are mandatory. Side protectors are recommended, but not required.
Prescription Eyewear:
If you wear prescription eyewear and choose to wear prescription sunglasses during your deployment, the sunglasses must meet the above criteria. Please obtain a current prescription from your ophthalmologist/optometrist (including pupiliary distance) and bring it with you when you deploy. Eyeglass prescriptions are good for two years.
Contact lenses can be worn in Antarctica. At the South Pole, however, the dry climate can cause difficulties. It is suggested that you carry your lenses on your person to avoid possible damage and/or freezing. Limited lens cleaning supplies are available at the McMurdo, Palmer, and South Pole stores (heat-type is NOT available.)
RPSC will reimburse deploying employees up to $175.00 for one pair of prescription sunglasses (frames and lenses combined) every other year. RPSC will also reimburse employees up to $175.00 for one pair of prescription safety glasses if required for your job. RPSC will NOT reimburse you for the eye exam. You must be both medically and dentally qualified before you are eligible to be reimbursed. Once you are notified by the Medical Department that you are Physically Qualified, please submit your expenses on the RPSC Medical/Dental Expense Reimbursement Form (ME-A-103). If you are within 30 days of deploying or are currently an active employee, you must submit your expense report online via WebTE.
Please bring two pair of glasses, prescription or non-prescription, in case of damage or loss.
RPSC Form ME-A-119, Medical Department, Revision #8, 18 April 2008, All Locations, Approved by Emmett Ferguson M.D

Doug, The way I understood my eye doctor, he suggested swapping out 3 pairs each day and rewearing them each day. With your monthlies, that might be different. Do keep me posted on what your eye doctor friend suggests.

Andi, I'm planning on taking my UV sunglasses and ski goggles. Also packing 2 pair of regular glasses. Don't you think the info you posted is for people working in Antarctica? Do you really think we need to take our prescriptions?

Ok, I'm thick..must be the cold.

Do you wear dailies? <he suggested swapping out 3 pairs each day and rewearing them each day> Sorry, not sure what he suggested.
3 different sets of lenses each day? Or one set 3 times a day?

Andi got that info from a Government site...good info, tho..even if we don't have to worry about reimbursement amounts. (lol)

Doug

It is for people working there. I posted it for the NO METAL sunglasses.

Doug, I wear a new set of contacts every two weeks. My eye doctor recommended wearing three sets of contacts rotating them throughout the day. I can see myself wearing one set from 7:00-12:00, another set from 12:00-5:00 and the last set from 5:00-bedtime. Get up the next day and rotate those three sets again. I actually only wear one contact, for distance.... monovision.

Beth, What set will you wear from the 4:30 wakeup call till 7:00?

Just FYI I wear contacts and had absolutely NO problems at all and I suffer from dry eye to begin with. I wear my for a week clean them and toss them out after a month.

Honestly for the most part is not that cold. I think if you are at the SOUTH POLE in the winter it could be a different story but where we are going I do not think anyone will have any trouble at all. Does not hurt to bring extra pairs but changing three times a day is definitely nothing I have heard of anyone doing on the Antarctica cruise.

I think again it is Doctor's that do not understand the conditions, never been there and think it is below freezing all the time. Like asking doctors for malaria medicine in the States. The average doctor does not know what to prescribe they do not deal with this issue. Out they come with that terrible Larium.

You guys are over-thinking this! When we decided to go in 2007 I initially thought, as most people probably do, that we were going to a totally alien and unforgiving environment. It is just not very cold where you will be, plus it will be summer.

The temperatures were pretty mild - probably in the 30's. On some sunny days we took off our parkas because we were hot. But you need to be prepared for bad weather since it feels a lot colder if the wind is blowing and it is raining or snowing. Take a warm hat that covers your ears, waterproof pants and gloves and some layers to put under your parka and you will be fine.

Those government suggestions are for people who are going to be living and working much further south than you will be, where the weather is really hostile. You will only be out for an hour or two at any given time in much milder conditions.

Thanks for the giggle,Jim. :jester: Just like on safari, huh? Maybe I'll wear my glasses then!!

Ngaire and Leslie, Thanks for your information and I agree that many doctors do not know the actual conditions we will be exposed to while there. As a contact wearer, Ngaire, you would know! Thanks....

You will need good sunglasses and sunscreen though. There's the hole in the ozone plus the snow and water are very reflective. You really don't want a bad sunburn on your face :(

I'm more concerned about the Drake than the cold. What's best to bring along for a rough crossing?

Have to chime in with the others and say I didn't find it that cold in Antarctica either, with those jackets they give you and some layers underneath, and good hat and gloves. A few days, we had bbq's on the aft deck and threw off the jackets when the sun was shining.

My problem was the Drake, and whatever we were in getting to the Falklands. But I'm very sea sick prone, and still would not trade that cruise for anything. There was only one day in the Zodiac that the winds puffed up, and getting back to the ship threw some water our way. The rest of the "landing" days were either sunny or not windy at all. Lauri, I can't remember whether it was that cruise when I tried Scopace (pill form of the patch). Just hope and pray you will get the "Drake Lake"!

Thx, Olivia. I am definitely getting the patch.

Yes, we are all praying for the Lake!!

Beth, I got the pill (Scopace) rather than the patch b/c of some reports I got of really weird side effects of the patch v. the pill. Might want to try that, instead. Crazy side effects, enough to make me go for the pill. Google it and see what's out there now with the comments. This was several years ago.

I'll do some research, Olivia. Appreciate the heads up on issues with the patch.

I used the patch years ago and had the bad effects. Super dry mouth and when I turned my head, I saw trails. Not to say you will have those side effects, I just seem to be more prone to them than most people no matter what medication I take.

It is well worth the Drake. I had the patch and mescline, and needed them on the way over. But smooth on the way back.

Diane, I hope you weren't using mescaline for your anti nausea medication! That would have some very weird side effects...

Best day ever on a ship was in Antarctica anchored in Paradise Bay enjoying deck BBQ under brilliant blue sky, sunshine and 52 degrees F!

Funny Lauri

Ted, now that sounds like a great lunch! Maybe oh maybe the ZODIs can have a similar lunch.

I found the photo of our deck BBQ from ICE. It's almost to the bottom of the linked page. These photos will give you an idea of what to expect - everything from beautiful, sunny days to snow on the deck. Some of our group thought it was balmy enough for a swim :)

ICE photos February 2008