paul's Blog

Re: Lonely Planet Antarctica

My brother bought it for my birthday. We'll be reciting facts back and forth.

Re: Spelling of RTS?

Hahah... I always have a problem spelling the Travelers part because I also see it on the web as Travellers. It might be one of those color vs. colour things.

Dates for the trip?

I'm completely open in January and February.  In other words I'll make time for the trip. 

Note for Jordan... Carnaval in Rio is from Feb 2nd-5th.  :)  So maybe we make those dates off limits so the people that want to go to this festival can do it before or after the trip?

Honestly the end of January would be best if there are berths still open.  Thats the middle of the summer and we'll see the best weather.

Antarctica Cruises

So I've been doing some preliminary research on the trip.  Looks like the shortest cruises are 10 days.  Not sure how this will affect most of you when it comes to business etc.  In reality it only takes 2 days to get from Chile to the Antarctica Peninsula but I guess they mix things up a bit and show some sites etc.

Other things to note.  All the trips happen from November to March.  January and February look to be the best times to go.  During this time we also will have 20+ hours of daylight.  I love the idea of that.  Like the movie "Insomnia".

The weather ranges from 20F to 50F/-6C to 10C.  Most trips leave from Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile.

Another great link with a bunch of tour operators:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Antarctica#Destinations

South Pole Info

A great link about the South Pole.  Some of the prices and operators etc.

http://wikitravel.org/en/South_Pole

Antarctica months breakdown.

http://www.polarcruises.com/dates.cfm?pole=Antarctica&mainnav=dates

A lamb? No didn't see any on the trip. :)

Does anyone have any connections to scientists in Antarctica?

I am looking through my various researcher friends... but its looking bleak.  Next stop will be LinkedIn.

Re: So Antarctica is Next!

The best times to go look like January, February since that is summer time and when most cruises leave from Chile or Argentina.

Poll: Should we try to go to the South Pole?

I don't even know if its possible to do it without an expedition.  However I had to throw the idea out there.

I propose a camerman for the next one.

Photos I leave to you guys.  So far what I have seen has been great.  What I'm talking about is someone to video tape us.  Basically bringing someone whose job is to film us all the time.  This should be someone outside of the group so there is no conflict feeling bad that he is working.  The end result could be a sweet as DVD for our personal memories.  Who knows... maybe even cut it up into a half hour special. hahaha

Re: Great Shot by Jonathan

Looking forward to tons more from the rest of you guys because I sure as hell don't have an eye for it.  :)

Who should be invited for the next trip?

Nominate people that should be joining us for the next one.  We should keep this a close knit group and have everyone agree on the person.  As mentioned when Ville and I started this, the characteristics of people should be :

1.  Entrepreneurial
2.  Easy going
3.  Fun to be around
4.  Will stretch our limits (mentally, partying, industry)

Val's Information

To those of you that didn't get one of his business cards, here is his info.  BTW... I mailed him and he said he is totally up for the next trip, so I'll keep him informed and invite him here.

Valentine Croon
email: valentinecroon_at_xtra.co.nz
P.O. Box 192, Waitangi, Chatham Islands
ph: (03) 3050348

So Antarctica is Next!

I have a really hard time spelling that word.  ;)  However I'm quite excited since I have always needed an excuse to go there.  We should all be throwing up various info we find about the trip into this category.

Great Shot by Jonathan