Getting ready for the Sea

We have been warned that even the most seasoned sailors get queasy crossing the Drake Passage, so while our efforts may be futile, we have done everything we can to prepare for the worst.

New bottles preparing for duty.


Ruthie, ready for the crush


Casks in the labeling room.


Mountain view from the winery


Our bags are packed and they're ready to go. They're standing here outside our door.

Chilean Wine Sans Sea Bass

Today's Santiago adventure continued with a most fabulous tour of a small family owned winery conducted by the winemaker himself. Our tourguide was charming, witty and most certainly passionate about his wines. The property was breathtaking and we have decided that the Andes Mountains are the most beautiful we have ever seen. We spent so much time with our winemaker that we were unable to visit the handicraft village that was also on our itinerary. So it was back to the hotel to clean up and pack then off to dinner. We had some recommendations for dinner and set out to find one of the places on the list. We found Coco Loco first and were looking forward to some Chilean Sea Bass. We made a new friend Joe (not his real name) at the restaraunt and invited him to join us for dinner and though they were out of the Sea Bass, we enjoyed some terrific seafood and Chilean wine along with the company of our new friend. It is after midnight and our wakeup call is 0430. We may need to follow up on the wine tour tomorrow but here are a few pics.

Catherine enjoyed the enthusiastic crowd touring the winery.


All of the wine production is done in the "traditional way" in addition to the wine making, the bottling is also done by hand.


A 4 person crew can bottle 7,000 bottles in a full day on this line.



Our host mentioned proudly that he is the only winery in the valley with 4 labeling machines and as you can see they are fully "digital".

Safely in Santiago

Arrived Santiago 0800 local. A very good flight on a B767. Food was actually pretty tasty (probably improved by the fact we were starving) and inflight entertainment plentiful. Slept through Evan Almighty, Reservations, two episodes of Everyone Hates Chris and lost 200 virtual dollars in blackjack.
We are sitting in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel waiting for our room to be ready and our winery tour later this afternoon. We wandered around this part of town but there is not too much to see in the immediate area. In case you are wondering, my good friend Mike has an unnatural obsession with airline food so I couldn't resist posting these for him!

Bon Voyage!

We enjoyed a fabulous send off last night, dinner, drinks and dancing with friends in FLL. It may take a while, but I believe the penguin dance will eventually sweep the nation. Look for it in a bar near you.
Just taking care of a few last minute details and minor repacking. Off to the airport in a couple hours and Chile by morning! Will keep you posted.

Another way cool link

This site forecasts wave heights.

https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/ww3_cgi/cgi-bin/ww3_loop.cgi

Looks like on the way down, we will be just ahead of the really big stuff....or maybe not.

Ooops

Last night a ship sank in the Antarctic. It was not mine. The rescue ship that evacuated everyone was from my cruiseline. Coincidentally, I believe this was the same ship that came to rescue passengers from a ship that ran aground early this year. So the moral of the story is, when sailing the Antarctic, be in radio range of the Nordnorge!
My ship, the MS Fram, set sail today for her first ever cruise to Antarctica. We will be on her second trip. Better believe I am glued to the webcam.

Some rope....tehehe

A friend of Ruthie's (who has made this journey) recommended we take some rope in case we need to anchor ourselves to something secure for the crossing !;0) Man o'man am I going to be disappointed if it is freakishly calm when we go.

One week from today, when I head to work, I'll be taking suitcases with me!!

Some rope....hehehe

How cool is this?

I have just found a link to the webcam onboard the MS Fram! Oh my God, how am I going to survive the next ten days without just exploding? Thank goodness we got the insurance.

http://www.bt.no/kamera/article438406.ece

10 Days and Counting

It doesn't seem right that an average person would have in their possession, the gear, clothing and accessories required for such an adventure. But it turns out, I think I do. I tried to go shopping for things I thought I might need and came home nearly empty handed. Don't get me wrong, there is some really great stuff out there that I would love to take along, but the truth of the matter is that I live in Dallas and I just can't see spending hundreds of dollars for stuff I don't really need. Heck, I've been here a year and a half and have just discovered that darned fleece vest did not make the move. Will I really need insulated pants? So I bought these economy packs of hand and toe warmers. Those may come in handy but then again, may be overkill for 30 degree temps. But at least I have bought something.
So I'm fussing to my sister about how it just feels wrong not buying anything for trip when she informed me that she has found the Mother Lode of winter clothing. Seems in the midst of her home renovations, she has come across her winter gear that has been packed away. Apparently, she hasn't needed that stuff in south Florida either.

Another Step Closer

Today I had my appointment with the doc. To comply with the Antarctica Treaty's requirement for self-sufficiency, you have to have a doctor sign off that you are in reasonable health for such an adventure. Fortunately, she was willing to attest that I am not carrying any known penguin killing viruses and have a fair expectation to survive at least through the middle of December. She also gave me a prescription for motion sickness patches. I have never had a problem with motion sickness in the past, but the Drake Passage will be the ultimate test. After hearing stories of passengers being strapped to their bunks for the two day crossing, I thought it best not to take any chances.
Oh, good news on the camera front. Both advisers have recommended I go with the equipment I currently have. While it was unthinkable for them to imagine that I would have no future need for more advanced equipment, they do not believe I will see improvement significant enough to justify what was becoming quite an expense. Whew.
Still no fleece vest. Moving past denial and approaching acceptance.