Antarctica.

[drron]

Well another TR.Another destination to be ticked on the bucket list.Starts tomorrow.
DJ478.MCY-SYD.4 days in Sydney with the grandkids and the christening of our third.
20/12.QF45.SYD-CHC.Flounging if only for brekkie,but then champagne is a definite brekkie starter!
Then a week in NZ mainly in Marlborough with christmas in Nelson.
28/12-MV Orion for 19 days visiting Mawson's hut-99 years since it was built.
16/1-NZ672.DUD-AKL.No points earning:shock:
QF126.AKL-BNE.
All flights in economy.:shock:But with mrsdrron being WP at least near the front.
Will be without internet on the cruise so you will have to wait for the real highlights!

 

[serfty]

Looking forward to your TR.

...
16/1-NZ672.DUD-AKL.No points earning:shock:
...

Nice long flight ... you can rustle up 12 "Status Points" for

though.

 

[samh004]

20/12.QF45.SYD-CHC.Flounging if only for brekkie,but then champagne is a definite brekkie starter!

Can’t wait, though we’ll miss you by a couple hours that morning, as our flight to NAN is slightly later

Enjoy!

 

[futaris]

How expensive was the Mv Orion cruise to sub-Antarctica?

 

[drron]

with a couple of discounts was ~$25000 each-but getting QFF points!
Basically had to work 5 weeks in Tassie.well worth it as i enjoy the work.

 

[serfty]

http://www.orionexpeditions.com/expeditions/antarctica/itineraries_fares

State Room?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Sounds great, can't wait to read it.
It's never too early for bubbles in the Flounge

 

[drron]

Itineraries & Fares

State Room?

No balcony Suite-i said a couple of discounts!

 

[albatross710]

Enjoy the trip. I have that summer adventure on my list of things to do.

Mawson was a pretty amazing person. When I go to that continent I want to be where he was. I notice on the brochures they always say that the itinerary is subject to weather. I'd be mighty disappointed to make the journey and find that I didn't make landfall at Commonwealth Bay.

Signed,


Envious

 

[dk4]

Flounging if only for brekkie...

My fave menu is brekkie - I love the eggs benedict. mmm

 

[tuapekastar]

Green with envy drron, and thanks for adding an Antarctica option that is not ex-Sth America. Hope you enjoy the trip and looking forward to the TR. Will get there one day myself.

 

[blueflamenco]

It sounds wonderful -have a great time! I look forward to your report plus lots of pictures please

 

[chrisb]

I'm very jealous!

The ship has a webcam for those who want to watch -

Bridge Camera

 

[samh004]

I'm very jealous!

The ship has a webcam for those who want to watch -

Bridge Camera

If there’s no internet on board, how does the webcam work?

 

[drron]

If there’s no internet on board, how does the webcam work?

They have 2 systems on board-simple for the pax and expensive,no service if in remote areas as in the Kimberley last year.Then satellite for the ships communications etc.Now I am no IT expert and in the words of Sargeant Schulze-"I know nothing".

 

[chrisb]

If there’s no internet on board, how does the webcam work?

They do, as do most cruise ships these days:

Internet access cards can be purchased for A$30.00 (60 minutes) or A$50.00 (125 minutes). Communications at sea are subject to satellite connections. Internet access is also available in your stateroom using your own laptop. If your laptop is wireless enabled you may use it anywhere in the Galaxy Observation Lounge or the Leda Lounge.

This ship may not, but most larger cruise ships even have Mobile GSM base stations so your phone keeps ringing even when you're 1000Km from land. <groan>

 

[anat0l]

Ooooooh.... Antarctica. This is going to be great.

I'd love to go but as you might guess I don't have $15k-$25k cash lying around.

I'm counting on you drron to have photos! Hope your camera is resistant to the cold!

 

[drron]

Well the cameras worked in the Arctic so should be fine.
Thursday arrived and time to depart.As always worried about what we had forgotten but......Then Tony arrived-with the stretch.A bit much for the trip to MCY.Not many arrive at the DJ checkin in such a limo but someone has to.
Now we had 2 bags,with the cold gear they weighed 27 and 19kg..But here is where DJ is more than fair-because we both purchased 23kg and were on the same PNR the total of 46kg was fine.I must admit 1 0f our carryons was a tad heavy-had the christmas puddings and christening cake in so mrsdrron was seated with that out of sight of the bag drop and I went with our bags and other carryon-it was weighed and no probs.
Then through security-virtually always a long line at MCY as only 1 machine and usually 2 flights close together-at this time also a TT flight-the only 1 on time!The line took an age with many obvious once a year fliers.I decided this was not the time to recount The Goons story of the exploding Christmas puddings!.
DJ 478(EY6630)MCY-SYD.Scheduled 1010.Actual 1030.
Now a little throwback to the old days when purser suggested large carryons go in the overhead bin but handbags and manbags should be under the seat in front of you.but also a very good touch-As we were late leaving Live To Air was made complimentary for everyone.
Uneventful flight arriving 25 minutes late being at the gate at 1300-fortunately missed both BNEs and SYDs storms.
More later.

 

[anat0l]

Probably forgot to mention in time, but if you want a good trophy shot...

...of course you take a photo of yourself in Antarctica.

And how about a picture of an AFF tag sitting in the backdrop of Antarctica? We could claim our little bit of space there. Then we shall be truly global (and then we shall take over the world... mua ha ha ha ha ha.... )

 

[drron]

Probably forgot to mention in time, but if you want a good trophy shot...

...of course you take a photo of yourself in Antarctica.

And how about a picture of an AFF tag sitting in the backdrop of Antarctica? We could claim our little bit of space there. Then we shall be truly global (and then we shall take over the world... mua ha ha ha ha ha.... )

Yes have one in the Arctic so definitely a tag in the Antarctic coming up.I'm in on the Revolution.:shock: