Who Says Penguins Can't Fly?
This is a very funny so I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
April 03, 2008
March 18, 2008
Men in tights (it is worth it!)
Men who do not live in a cold climate, often comment to me how strange it feels to be putting on a pair of tights for the first time. They are, of course, referring to the Expedition Stretch Bottoms – a must for Antarctica layering. When they return from their trip they are a big fan of Expedition Stretch Bottoms. Who wouldn’t be? Let’s say for you are heading down to Antarctica for a trip of a lifetime. You are doing your research to ensure you are properly outfitted and the company you booked with suggested you wear jeans under your waterproof pants. I say to those companies “Shame on you” (as Hillary would say to Obama – ha ha). Jeans in cold weather are cold and inflexible and if you get them wet, they stay wet and don’t wick.
March 11, 2008
The Scoop on Waterproof Pants for Antarctica
If you are traveling to Antarctica you may have received a check list for what you need to take. Most companies recommend you buy gore-tex waterproof pants. Gore-tex is a great fabric and as the fabric is breathable it is excellent for active winter sports. However, it may not be the best choice for expedition travel to Antarctica. Here is why. Gore-tex is not a good fabric for sea water, especially the older-generation fabric that you may have in your closet, and gore-tex pants are expensive when other pants will do the job!
If you are on a budget our pants make even more sense. Let’s say you get a deal you are booked on a cruise to Antarctica for $3,500. The gore-tex pants that you are told you need are $200. Thats before you buy any other gear. If this is a one-off expedition for you and you don’t plan on doing hard core sports when you get home then purchasing expensive gore-tex pants is not necessary. My take on it is that if you are being told that gore-tex pants are the only choice for Antarctica then whom ever is telling you this has not done their homework.
On my website Ship to Shore Traveler, I have hand-picked a waterproof pant Women's Waterproof Pants that is a third of the price of most gore-tex pants. The pants have been tested by expedition staff in Antarctica and they work! In fact after testing them the staff loved the pants and are still wearing them. The pants I offer are fully waterproof (as the seams are taped – watch for this when buying so called waterproof pants) and have side zips, and snap tabs, so you the cuffs go easily over your boots. Another hint: when in Antarctica, wear the pants over your boots so the cold Antarctic sea water goes over your boots, not in your boots (resulting in very cold feet). Plus the women’s pants are sized for women and are not just a small version of a man’s waterproof pant. So, style in a pant that works for a good price. What could be better?
Of course there are always alternatives. If you want to upgrade and spend $230 on pants here is another alternative to spending your money on gore-tex: purchase an insulated pant Men's Waterproof Insulated Pants that keeps you warm in Antarctica and is great after for skiing.
February 28, 2008
More on boots for Antarctica!!!
Ok, so I have a lot to say about boots because I get a lot of questions about them, including people from the NY Yacht Club. The club recommended Neos as the best footwear to take to Antarctica! I beg you, if you have received this recommendation (and believe me, there are some very long-standing expedition companies out there that have also recommended neos – you know who you are…) do your research before you buy. Neos are not suitable for landing in zodiacs. They are not waterproof, they slide on the ice and you have to carry your hiking boots as well as your neos (taking up valuable luggage space) to Antarctica when all you need is some good ole rubber boots. You wear neos over you hiking boots. So what are you supposed to do, take them off when you are ashore, walk around in your hiking boots and then put your penguin guano infested boots back into your neos? Phew I don’t think so…. IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators ) discussed the difficulty of cleaning neos several years ago and how they carry debris from one site to another (V environmentally unfriendly and big “no no” in Antarctica.
So here is the low down on boots. We have researched these boots and offer the three very best choices on my website ShiptoShoreTraveler.com from inexpensive boots that are adequate for the job, to a medium priced boot, to high-end boots that are the best, most fabulous boots for travel to extreme climates (also for people who love comfort and can afford it or have a need for boots after their trip, making the purchase worth while). All these boots have been tested over many years in Antarctica.
Traditional 'Wellie-Style' Boot
Our Wellies are adequate for Zodiac landings. They provide some sole insulation and ride high on the calf, making it easy to hop in and out of Zodiacs without getting wet. If you are going to wear your boots for this trip only, buy these and leave them on the ship for the crew -- they will love you for it.
Zodiac Classic High Boot
This mid-priced boot is designed to perform in all outdoor elements. It is a step above the wellie for comfort and warmth and it has a self-cleaning outsole. Rated to -20º F.
Extreme Weather Boot
This is our warmest, knee-high Antarctic boot (60 degrees F to minus 40 degrees F). The boot will form to virtually any calf girth, is breathable, has a molded foot sole and heaps of features that make it very comfortable. Well worth the extra money, in my opinion.
Year of the Rat or the Rat is back from HK?
I just got back from Hong Kong and was there for the end of Chinese New Year but unfortunately missed the Festival of Lights. So happy year of the rat to you all. I was told it is a #1 year so that must be good for new beginnings. Is this true or did I just make that up?
Why Hong Kong? Well, in my opinion, they still make the best high-performance clothing so I was over there to meet with some of our manufacturers. On the up side I was very encouraged to discover that the workers have been upgraded to nearly a month off for Chinese New Year. The down side of my trip had to do with, of all places, Disneyland. I was very disappointed with Disneyland in Hong Kong (by the way I love the original the best). Bottom line: it is not run by fun, creative people. Plus I put my back out on either Space Mountain or the Tea Cup ride so that may have affected my attitude!.
I stayed at and really enjoyed the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. It just went through a huge renovation and it is a superb hotel. I was told they spend nearly 200 million on the renovation but the official figures say 140 million (but what is 60 million difference when it comes to renovations – any one who has renovated a kitchen will be able to relate to that one).
The food was outstanding too. I loved the exquisite bakery and wonderful Chinese restaurant called Man Wah on the 25th floor. The windows were great. They were clear but non glare with eye-popping views into Victoria harbor, framed with beautiful Chinese redwood. But back to the food... I entertained one of our Argentine shipping line friends and for lunch. I had seasonal greens with steamed fish ginger. The fish was a whole grouper! Also abalone soup and two little lotus buns for dessert. Marks and Spencers was a block away so I popped down there for my chocolate fix!
January 28, 2008
Boot confession
Last Fall I spoke to a delightful gentleman who was gearing up for an Antarctica, Falkland Islands and South Georgia itinerary. I remember talking about his boots , but forgot about them until yesterday when he emailed me. Here is his email It makes great reading!
"Have just returned from my Antarctica etc. trip with Zegrahm's and want to thank you for the wonderful help you gave me in getting equipped. Everything I got from you was excellent. By the way, for boots I decided to take the boots I have used on my wooden-decked sailboat instead of the boots in your catalogue. I thought I would tell you that this was a mistake because one really needs the bigger tread of the boots you recommend for the shore work on the trip. So if anyone else suggests doing what I did, you can tell them what my experience was, and they should buy your boots instead..
Again, many thanks for all your good help."
January 26, 2008
Danielle Sogno got engaged!
Congratulations to Danielle and Todd!
They got engaged in Antarctica on November 2nd 2007, standing next to a big blue iceberg witnessed by many Emperor Penguins.
We will create a wedding album and incorporate any messages you post to the Happy couple.
November 27, 2007
Explorer sinking
I still experience a wave of nostalgia when I glance back to the Explorer photo's of her rolled over on her side.
Memories flood my entire being. Exciting rough seas in the Drake passage, flat calm smooth sailing in the S.Pacific... the memories are endless. I still see myself sitting on the beach in Seychelles watching the ship cruise by on the horizon..... This, I thought to myself, is my ticket of this Island! And indeed it was. I spent fifteen wonderful years working on board the MS Explorer. From Cruise Director to Zodiac driver to Shop manager. Anyone would do anything to go where she was going...... Except now, I feel sad but I try to convince myself that this is the most appropriate resting ground for her... Gosh! I can already see the millions of tiny micro organisms that are anchoring themselves to this newly arrived Old Ambassador to the World.
