Page 6 of AlreadyPacked Travel Blog Posts


Oceans and Seas » Atlantic » Atlantis December 4th 2016

Geo: -62.4905, -59.7569Excellent day today. We stepped off the ship and onto Antarctica for the first time this afternoon. From our balcony, we could see that it was going to be a beautiful day and a perfect one to walk outside. The ship stopped in Yankee Harbor in the South Shetland Islands and launched the Zodiacs with the expedition crew members early in the morning. They selected the landing location on Greenwich Island, set up the day's group gear, and marked off the areas where the guests were allowed to wander. Although there are some no-go zones, guests are free to walk around on their own. Seabourn has made a point of saying that the guests are not shepherded around when on shore, but allowed to take as much or as little time as they like ... read more
Elephant Seals
Gentoo Penguin
Gentoo Penguins

Oceans and Seas » Atlantic » Atlantis December 3rd 2016

Geo: -57.426, -58.0146We slept late today, but got up when Sean, the Whale Guy, made an announcement about seeing fin whales from the deck. Philip went out and saw a few spouts. By the time I was wrapped up warm enough to go outside, they must have been gone although I did see some lovely birds, probably cape petrels.We skipped breakfast but went for lunch in the dining room. We have been traveling a week now and have had some wonderful food, but it felt like time for a hamburger. After lunch we had our first daily recap and briefing for the next day. We learned again how to dress for the landings in Antarctica. This time they added the importance of putting everything on in the proper order: waterproof pants outside the boots, life jacket ... read more
Cape Petrel
Cape Petrels
They are Coming Toward the Ship

Oceans and Seas » Atlantic » Atlantis December 2nd 2016

Geo: -55.6825, -55.5536What a night!! The storm that prevented us from stopping at Stanley kept the ship bouncing around a lot last night. About 2:30, we were awakened by jolting movements of the ship and the thundering noise of the waves hitting. That lasted several hours while we tried to sleep. I took my first Dramamine of this voyage, and it worked sufficiently. We weren't even in the Drake Passage yet, but it was the roughest sea that I have ever seen. The spray completely covered the balcony several times and the waves rolled up higher than our windows. Went back to bed and hoped for it to subside, but knew we were still at least a day and a half from the other side of the Drake. As it turned out, that was the worst ... read more

Oceans and Seas » Atlantic » Atlantis December 1st 2016

Geo: -48.2305, -59.8603The latest thing we have heard is that we are not going to stop at the Falkland Islands after all. The rumors that the weather will be too bad are true now. When the captain made his daily noon announcement, he said that he wouldn't decide until later in the day, but that the weather report was forecasting wind of over 40 knots. They do not launch the tenders unless the winds are less than 25 knots and will stay that way reliably throughout the day in port. We are heading straight to Antarctica and should arrive by Saturday afternoon rather than on Sunday morning. I don't know if that will allow any extra time off the ship, but we will at least see the Antarctic for an extra half day.This morning, we took ... read more
Photography Lecture This Afternoon
On the Verandah
Looking out to Sea

Oceans and Seas » Atlantic » Atlantis November 30th 2016

Geo: -44.971, -59.4208Today was the first of many sea days. It takes two full days to get to the Falkland Islands where we will anchor outside the bay and take tenders into Stanley. It has been a nice day. We tried the trivia game contest which was sort of fun, but challenging in the way I don't like (rather British-centric) so I don't know if we will go again. I tried to see the ship's blog of the trip on the white iPads they have for guest use, but they weren't working at the moment I tried them. We had dinner in The Grill. It is the specialty restaurant that has replaced the former Restaurant Two. Seabourn has partnered with Thomas Keller to improve their food offerings and The Grill is his signature restaurant. He modeled ... read more

South America » Uruguay » District of Montevideo » Montevideo November 29th 2016

Geo: -34.8939, -56.1568Yesterday, we were up in time for breakfast in the hotel. It closes at 10:30 during the week so we needed to make an effort to get up still adjusting to the time change and lack of sleep on the overnight flight. It was slightly better than yesterday, but still nothing special. The waiter today was more interested in providing service than the one yesterday. After breakfast, we walked outside for just a bit and found that the market had been set up in the street in front of the hotel again. I had read that it was only on Sundays, but it was blocking the street again.Philip and I spent the rest of the morning finishing packing and using the hotel's wifi to read and send messages not knowing how easy internet access ... read more
Port at Buenos Aires
Port at Buenos Aires
Tug and Pilot Boat

South America » Argentina » Buenos Aires November 28th 2016

Geo: -34.6118, -58.4173... read more

South America » Argentina » Buenos Aires November 27th 2016

Geo: -34.6118, -58.4173A couple of weeks ago Erin and I had lunch together at the Chinese food stall in Coronado Mall. My fortune cookie said "You will go on a pleasant journey to a faraway place". I am considering that a very good omen for our trip. So here we go. We've had a fun day of sightseeing today all over Buenos Aires, but first I will bring you up-to-date on the travels so far. When we left home on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we found the parking lot at the airport as full as we've ever seen it, but yet there were still lots of spaces for additional cars. The airport was only moderately busy with quick access through the TSA pre-check line. On the first flight from Albuquerque to Houston, we were upgraded ... read more
Tango
Casa Rosada
Mother's scarf painted on Plaza Mayo

South America » Chile » Santiago Region » Santiago November 26th 2016

Geo: -33.4691, -70.642... read more

North America » United States » Texas » Houston November 25th 2016

Geo: 29.7605, -95.3698... read more




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