November 2nd
November 2nd
Hi Everyone,
Well, in case you have not heard our trip is canceled. We are all so bummed. The ship had mechanical difficultites and they could not make the needed repairs in time to alow us to continue. Doug and Karyn have worked so hard to bring this trip together. We all just wanted to cry for them and a few of us did. We had such a great group of people on board brought together by Doug's efforts. It just seems such a shame. Since our trip was to be the first ship out for the season, it seems like the ship should have been sea worthy.
Mom always tells me to do my homework. Why didn't Quark (the company that contracts the ship do its homework?) Why wasn't our ship here earlier to deal with any issues? We all have lots of "why" questions. DOug has worked so hard, all I could do was hug him and tell him how sorry I was. He is my friend amd I felt badly for him. He had no control over the ship issues and had do all of his homework to make this a trip of a lifetime.
Almost everyone onboard wants to try again next year, I'm in for sure! It is a great group and I made lots of new friends. Don't worry though, we have a surprise for you - tune in tomorrow to find out!
All for now
November 1rst
November 1rst
Hi everyone,
We still have not left but it looks good for around 2 p.m. today. Since we were still at port we decided to have our Halloween Party on the 31st! It was a blast! Check out the costumes (at end of video here). It was pretty amazing to trick or treat at the bottom of the world.
Today we filmed all over the ship so you will get an idea of what it is really like on board. I miss my friends, Dad, MiMi, Grandma, Grandpa, and my pets very much. I want to send out a special shout out to my cousin, Shannon too.
Allan and Beth Marshall, our marine biologists sailed on a tourist boat yesterday and filmed our first wildlife. They also captured some of the beautiful shore line.
I hope we leave today. I'm ready to start this adventure! All for now.
October 31rst
October 31rst
Hi Everyone, We are still in Ushuaia. We did not board until late yesterday. We are the first ship out for the season & they are being very strict with protocol. They checked our ship out from top to bottom & found a couple of things that needed to be addressed. The type of stuff they usually do while going down the Beagle Channel but after the Explorer sinking last season they are concerned about every detail being done before leaving port. We were actually on the Explorer when we went on our first trip. I'm glad it made it through with us! This ship is really nice and I like it even better than the Explorer. It is called the Orlova & it has a mainly Russian crew. A lot of you have asked about what the ship is like so today we are planning to film the various spaces on the ship so you can get a real sense for what is like to be on board. Our room has two beds, closet space, nightstand, chair & an interesting bathroom. The bathroom is all one room! The sink, toilet & shower are all one area. You will see from the photo.
Today since we are not sailing, we are in town trying to answer some emails. I'm really glad you all have been following my journal & the trip so far. It is going to be great! We all took our motion sickness medicine last night thinking that we would be in the rough seas this morning. Since we are still at port people woke up a little drowsy from the meds. Everyone rallied and people are hiking, skiing & in town doing last minute things.
I met a new friend Sean Busby. He is a professional snowboarder and type 1 diabetic. You can find out more about him at his site www.seanbusby.com. It just goes to prove that you can do anything if you want to.
We hope to get out later today, maybe around 4 or so. I will keep you informed. All for now.
Past Articles
November 1
November 1
Mechanical problems with the ship have caused the trip to be cancelled for this year. They are hoping to reschedule for next fall. Stay tuned for further updates.
In the meatime, enjoy a tour of the ship they are currently staying on.
Past Articles
Planned Itinerary
Planned Itinerary
Planned Itinerary: (Oct. 29) Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina. Overnight.
Day 1-3 (Oct. 30 - Nov. 2) The team will board the M/V 'Orlova' and travel down the Beagle Channel, across the Drake Passage. Sperm, fin, and humpback whales, along with skies of seabirds. Arrive at Deception Island's volcanic crater and thermal pools.
Day 4 (Nov. 3) Ski objectives at Neko Harbour/Paradise Bay. Zodiac cruises, penguin rookeries, hiking. Almirante Brown Station.
Day 5 (Nov. 4) Ronge Island and Mt. Britannia Georges Point.
Day 6 (Nov. 5) Ski objectives at Anvers and Wenke Islands. Port Lockroy scientific base and museum. Visit gentoo and adelie penguin habitat at Dorian Bay and Damoy Point.
Day 7 (Nov. 6) Lemaire Channel (ice conditions permitting - at Captain's discretion) / Mt. Scott / Mt. Demaria / Mt. Mill ski descents. Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky scientific station. Possible killer whale and leopard seal sightings.
Day 8 (Nov. 7) Errera Channel visiting Danco Island and Cuverville Island.
Day 9 (Nov. 8) Orne Island and Portal Point and maybe Lagarrigue Cove before we depart North across the Drake Passage.
Day 10 (Nov. 9-10) Sail Drake Passage; pass the dramatic cliffs of Cape Horn. Disembark M/V Orlova in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Subject to change depending on ice, weather and local conditions.
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