Day 0 - December 26th - To Melbourne in readiness

As established in the last post, we got away and got down to Ciloms, after a stop off for a cuppa at Mary's sister Clare's house.

Clare, Janelle and Kate joined us for dinner at Ciloms, then they took off with Kate and the car.

Mary and I were in bed pretty early ready for the 2.30am start. After a last cuppa and finished off the delicious Almond bread I recieved for Christmas from Bronwyn.

The last cuppa, with almond bread c/- Bronwyn and Priscilla Jones.

Janelle, Mary, Clare and Kate kicking back in the motel room before tea.

On the road to Melbourne.

Mary and Kate arrived a bit after 2o'clock to pick up for the trip to Melbourne. Kate had the brand new iPad the family had received for Chritmas, she captured some shots of the Moe departure.

A short post from the phone en route to motel near airport. Ready for up and at em about 2 am, ready for 6am flight.

 

On arrival at Ciloms, we all went in for a cuppa, Kate was once again busy on the iPad. Good job Kate and thanks for capturing some moments.

 





The bags are packed

Well the re pack was successful. Got it down to 15kgs and hand luggage is under 7 as well.

The lawns are mown, the shopping done. All that's left now is to charge the electronics, celebrate Christmas and we are good to go.

Wow it's really surreal to think its all gonna really happen.

Six days till departure and 10 till we hit the Antarctic...OMG it really is real

Well, finished work this arvo for approx 6 weeks, that is a pretty amazing feeling.

The last few months have been hectic one way or another. One of the major stresses has been getting everything organised for the trip away. Now with 6 days to go till we leave home, I have only one stress left. I need to reduce the weight of the baggage. I have been throwing things in since the end of winter and am now procrastinating about opening the bag, unpacking everything and being EXTREMELY BRUTAL about what goes back in and what doesn't.

I am heartened (slightly) by the fact that Mary reckons she has packed (using my list) and her bags come in at 15kgs...which leaves room for purchases etc.  So I must be doing something wrong.

In the last little while, we have been waiting and recieving back my passport including Brazil Visa. the photo looks like a mug shot, but who cares, I have the passport back in my hot little hands.

Finally a week or so ago we recieved the ship tickets, baggage tags etc and vouchers for much of our accommodation, things were starting to seem very real.

Here's the package from Aurora. The company who we are doing the Antarctic with.

I have arranged credit cards, travel cards, US cash, booster shots for hep b etc, arranging for an overseas SIM card. All the while finalising the Christmas lists and shopping and wrapping.  Now it's all pretty much done...except for that dreaded travel bag...

Here is what it looks like currently...

Hopefully by this time tomorrow, it will be all sorted.


Have  Christmas coming next week of course, with a Moe Christmas with the Baths, Caldows, Davis's and Zajacs on Sunday and Christmas day with the family at Aunty Sue's in Melbourne.

Then it will be out of here before we know it.

December 2012...less than 20 days to go and counting

Back again, just for a quick update.

It is the silly season, with Christmas and end of year functions eating up time.

Thrown into the mix is the final preparations for the big trip. With departure just 18 days away, things are pretty nearly sorted out.

Bags are partially packed, last minute tours arranged - bring on the King Penguins and Tierra del Fuego on the 30th.

News from the travel agent, that there are some changes to flights so will need to sort them out in the next little while. They are post the cruise, so shouldn't be too dramatic.

We depart from Melbourne at 6.00am on the 27th, so plan to head to Melbourne on Boxing Day to accommodate the 4.00am check in.  We have a stopover in Sydney and Auckland before arriving in Santiago - Chile - still on the 27th, so it'll be a big day - with approx 20hours flying time plus 4 and a half hours stopover...so I think the sleep will be great when we arrive.

We had a final meeting of the group from Victoria, with a meeting at Jells Park Primary School. It was good to meet everyone again and some for the first time.

Mary and I have had our injections, with just our Hep boosters to have next week.

I reluctantly sent my passport off to the Brazilian embassy for a visa, and it finally came back last week, after more than a month...feels weird sending your passport off into the never never.

All our accomodations etc are booked. I only have to arrange two bus trips...but they can't be done until a month prior...so need to do this just before christmas.

Lots of research into best ways to manage money while away and have now got credit cards and travel cards and cash almost squared away...this time next week should see that ticked of the 'ever growing' list.

anyway, must be off now to update lists and get some tea on the go.

Next update may well be 'in transit' or somewhere along the way.

Take care!