Anyone else want to come to Antarctica?

[DaveB]

As you probably know, I'm heading to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica this November leading a photography expedition (actually we have two photography leaders). 3 other DSLRUsers members are coming with me on this 3-week adventure. Our group of 18 photographers makes up a third of the ship's passengers.

Now the ship operator (Aurora Expeditions) has got enthused, and in March/April 2011 we have a new and different adventure! 4 weeks, travelling to Antarctica, the Falklands, and the Argentine Patagonian coast. We'll be visiting two Antarctic research stations, and transporting some scientists to the Falklands. As a result the ship will only be taking 27 passengers, and all of these passengers will be part of our photography activities. Once we get rid of the scientists (who I'm sure will be very interesting characters!) we'll have the ship to ourselves. The entire voyage will be run with photography in mind. Again we'll have two photography leaders.

It's a different voyage than November's, in that it will be at the other end of the summer season and we will not be visiting South Georgia. But we will be spending longer at the Antarctic Peninsula and in the Falklands, and I'm looking forward to seeing Orca in Argentina beaching themselves to take sea lion pups at Punta Norte near the end of the voyage!

So, if you were thinking of joining the November trip but missed out when the trip filled up, or simply weren't going to be able to get the funds together in time, here's another option for you to consider. Even though it's a longer trip than November's, we've actually managed to get the price slightly lower!

Aurora's fancy brochure even has some of my images in it:

[gstark]

David,

This trip looks even more amazing than the first one. What a great concept.

[Mr Darcy]

Funds are finally beginning to look good. They won't be in until September though.

Pencil me in

[DaveB]

Funds are finally beginning to look good. They won't be in until September though.

Pencil me in

I'd be happy to, but you should get in touch with Aurora directly (tell them I sent you). It needs a US$1250 deposit to book your spot, so you'll need to decide when you're confident enough to pay your deposit. The remainder is due 90 days prior to the voyage (i.e. mid-December). Also keep in mind that the earlier you can book flights the better (Aurora have in-house people to organise that along with things like accommodation in South America before/after the trip, or you can do that independently).
When you decide you want to book, let them know and they can usually pencil in a berth for you for up to a week before your deposit is actually paid.

But even if you're not yet ready to pay the deposit, it wouldn't hurt to give them a call now and make initial contact, telling them what berth type you're interested in. For example there are only two triple-share cabins on the ship, which means there are only 6 of the cheapest berths available. They should be able to warn you if your preferred berth type was about to book out.

[Matt. K]

Greg
Be sure to wear a singlet under your shirt. It can get quite chilly there when the wind blows.

[devilla101]

Oh man this is on my Bucket List. Alas my budget for this year won't allow that (or for the next consecutive year). I envy those who are going and can't wait to see some photos being posted up here.

[ozimax]

Greg
Be sure to wear a singlet under your shirt. It can get quite chilly there when the wind blows.

Vicks Vaporub might also help, or so my Grandma used to tell me....

In all seriousness, I have been overseas I think 47 times, but this trip would be the trip of a lifetime for those fortunate enough to venture south.

[aim54x]

Wow...there is no way I will be able to...but I would be definitely interested. Oh well another thing to put into the "to do" list!

[CraigVTR]

Note to self, must save more.

[Murray Foote]

I'll bite. I'll be sending the form in tonight or this weekend.

[Mr Darcy]

Yay! Finally got the money for the deposit
And there was still a space.
See you there Murray.

Planning on going (or returning!) via Easter Island.


Any other takers?

[aim54x]

Yay! Finally got the money for the deposit
And there was still a space.
See you there Murray.

Planning on going (or returning!) via Easter Island.

Any other takers?

Congrats, its going to be trip to remember!!

**JEALOUS!!**

[stubbsy]

Yay! Finally got the money for the deposit
And there was still a space.

Awesome Greg - quite a few of us will flood this place with pics come December

Is Pam joining us too?

[Mr Darcy]

Awesome Greg - quite a few of us will flood this place with pics come December

Is Pam joining us too?

1. Um I'm on the March trip, not the November one. So far Murray Foote is the only other member is booked on that one AFAIK

2. No Pam won't be going. Her parents are in the process of moving in with us Dad has already. Mum is coming as soon as we have made room for her - We have bought a container & are in the process of filling it with the contents of the spare rooms. It's beginning to look as though we should have bought two

Anyway, they are a full time occupation so one of us has to stay.

[stubbsy]

1. Um I'm on the March trip, not the November one. So far Murray Foote is the only other member is booked on that one AFAIK

Silly me. Lucky you - you get to learn from our mistakes and you'll get to see the baby penuins.

[aim54x]

Awesome Greg - quite a few of us will flood this place with pics come December

Is Pam joining us too?

1. Um I'm on the March trip, not the November one. So far Murray Foote is the only other member is booked on that one AFAIK

2. No Pam won't be going. Her parents are in the process of moving in with us Dad has already. Mum is coming as soon as we have made room for her - We have bought a container & are in the process of filling it with the contents of the spare rooms. It's beginning to look as though we should have bought two

Anyway, they are a full time occupation so one of us has to stay.

Wow....I guess we will get two sets of images...and you will be able to get a lot more advice from Stubbsy and Alpha.

two containers....how much of it is wood and books?

[Mr Darcy]

how much of it is wood and books?

We haven't actually bought the second container. Hoping to to.
About half the first one is wood. The other half has some books (about a quarter of the container by volume), but most of them are staying in the house. The rest is odd stuff like model trainsets, calligraphy supplies, records (vinyl & some bakelite), cobbling tools, film cameras etc etc.

Still stacking. The real challenge is keeping EVERYTHING accessible and locatable. Have built a database to track everything. once everything is in place it will take another week for the data entry.