Antarctica Travel Forum

I am booked on the 12/8/07 Vavilov sailing from Ushuaia and am writing to see if there are others that have booked on the same trip. I would like to converse with others as to what they may be doing in preparation for the trip. Am anxious to hear of tips (to do's and not to do's) for the trip.

I was a passenger on the ship in Feb 2007 for the Antarctica Marathon. I had been there twice before on the sister ship the Ioffee, both tours being done by -Peregrine Tours. We were all going for the marathon on King George Island, but visited the other places as well. Thw ship is plain. If you have the money for the private bath rooms on the upper deck. Do it or you may be 3 strangers on bunks in a tiny room with the toilet and shower don the hall. The ship was built to py on American submarines in the Arctic but was delivered after the cold war was over.The food was ok-Antarctica.ared by Russian Cooks under Canadian supervision. The crew was Russian and the staff mainly Australian and Canadian.
Evrything you do or do not do will be governed by the weather. The whales and seals and penguins in the calm bays and channels are fantastic as is the ice palace known as Antarctica. The Drake pasge can be pleasant or one of the worst experiences of your life. Huricane-65 ft (22meter) waves-people thrown all over like little dolls and everyone seasick afraid they would live.
The cold can be bright and calm and sunny or a viscious storm. Layerup--Layer up-Layer up 3 good layers at least to sty warm. Gloves and liners and a Balaclava to protect the fac. wer mock turtle poly fibre tee shirts to keep thr wind out. At least two pair of socks, one cool max.
Bring los of chips and batteries for toyr digital camera. Learn hw to use he video- The penguins can be funny and the whales awesomeYour cel phone (mobile) will work only at King George Island and only if you have a sim chip. Satellite phones work but are expensive.
Anything else you would like to know?
Jayfoonberg@aol.om

Hello

Thank you for the reply. Yes, I will take you up on your offer for further advice. I will keep a list of questions and post at once. Thanks again.