Meet the M/V Plancius. She’s a refurbished scientific research vessel, given a full once over about three years ago. She holds 110 passengers along with about 40 crew (including the expedition leaders — the science and nature guides). She’s not a huge ship, but she’s not the littlest cruise ship you can take to Antarctica either. She comes with camping gear and kayaks, in case you’re the sturdy type who wants to spend the night on land and/or isn’t afraid of dumping into the frigid waters of Antarctica. And she’s “my” new ship for Antarctica.
I’ve been rebooked on the Plancius, leaving four days later than my original itinerary. Instead of being with crew, I’ll be sharing a four person cabin with bath. The Polar Star, my original vessel, hit a rock and is out of commission. The superheroes at TravelWild started making calls as soon as the news came in that all was not right with the Polar Star and found space for me on the Plancius where I’ll be sharing space with two as of yet unknowns and one TravelWild staffer. (So much for slacking on the job!) Right now, the travel agent is hard at work getting my flights sorted I have a tentative slightly crazy itinerary — it’s a lot easier to book flights with three months lead.
I remain an oddball cocktail of easy going and anxiety ridden about the whole thing. I feel great about my kit — I’ve already started writing reviews of the bits and pieces I’m packing for Practical Travel Gear. I’m a little disappointed about the change of ship; I’d developed an irrational attachment to the idea of that sharp red icebreaker and was enjoying the mystery of what it would mean to be bunked in a crew cabin. I’m psyched that TravelWild is so committed to my going that they’ve done the leg work to create plan B in such short order. I’m worried that the only thing left on the plane will be middle seats. I’m still working out suspension of disbelief — “Me, Antarctica? Really? Are you SURE you have the right person?” And as much as I’m looking forward to unfenced penguins — OH MY GOD! THERE ARE PENGUINS EVERYWHERE! — I’ve been surprisingly detached about the whole trip. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, something else will happen, it always does. Always. You can’t know what it is, but you can certainly count on something happening.
I should be flying out in 17 days. Again. Give or take a day or two. If.
Are penguins the only birds there? I wonder if is is very “aromatic” being in close proximity to so many birds or if the cold keeps the scent muted? Well you can fill me in on that fact later.
Actually, it’s not all penguins all the time. There are lots of other interesting birds too. Albatross, for starters! ALBATROSS! A-hem.
But penguins are what my imagination keeps getting stuck on. And yes, word has it it’s stinky as hell.
I am so looking forward to experiencing the penguins vicariously through you!
I’m so glad that a) it’s coming back together for you and b) it’s on another boat.
Why?
Because many years ago I had a house-mate who worked at Todd Shipyards and the Polar Sea and sister ship Polar Star kept being towed back in for work because the screws kept, um… falling off.
Ooops!
Nobody was hurt, mind you. But still.
It’s a common mistake, and I made it, but “my” Polar Star was not the Todd shipyards Polar Star. See, that one is a Coast Guard ship, based here. The other one, the now broken one that I was supposed to be on, is a renamed Norwegian icebreaker. Oops. 🙂
I found myself thinking yesterday at a random moment, “I wonder what’s happening with Pam’s ship?”
THAT’S how intrigued I am by your impending journey. I’m manifesting it to happen, so you should have no problems. From here on out. 😉
The suspense is intense! Hit a rock…musta been a mighty big boulder…like a small island? Who is this captain who hits rocks, hmmmm, well in the event that your spiffy new ice breaker similarly smashes aground your ukulele may be used as a flotation devise!
Josh, you don’t play, so you can be forgiven for not know this: A ukulele is used as a PADDLE, not a flotation device.
🙂
I was on the Polar Star last season (Dec 2009) and the captain was very capable. I have a travelogue from a first-hand witness on the vessel when it hit a rock that it was an uncharted rock in a usually safe area (Glaciers do funny things – like move rocks each year) and the Polar Star has double-hulls so it sailed back across the Drake Passage after the damage without repairs (but the passengers were taken back on other vessels for safety/insurance)
It’s gonna happen and it’s gonna be extraordinary!
Take me Pam….it’s no hostel but it will still be fun.
“unfenced penguins”..Hilarious!
So glad TravelWild was able to work out a Plan B. We’re all so stoked and excited for you!
Jealous, jealous, jealous, jealous, jealous, jealous. Hope it delivers all you want it to.
Hello,
First time visitor. And by the way, good luck on the Grantourismo competition for January.
I was perusing your blog and read somewhere that said you don’t like sailing or being on a boat. A trip to Antartica! Wow! That is going to be an amazing experience. Where do you sail out of? I’d be curious to find out what temperature they keep the ship (and your cabin)at.
Good luck and have fun!
So glad to hear about your journey! I’m hoping you have as wonderful a time as I did. Travel Wild helped book my Antarctica adventure (December 2009). I have photos on my photography site in two galleries: Penguins and Antarctica Landscapes
When I went I went alone in a 3-person triple room – less than comfortable lodging, but still amazing journey and so great to see all the wildlife and go sliding down huge mountains. Say hello to the Elephant Seals, and let me know if the crazy lonely King Penguin with messed up GPS is still waiting for his sweetheart on the wrong beach!
As since you love penguins, I recommend perusing the following for gift ideas and souveniers! penguin-place.com