"I drive one of U2's trucks: there are 70,000 people just sitting outside the stadiums waiting for the doors to open. I'll go and talk to a few. When asking the fans if they were interested in Antarctica, and even winning a free trip, these are the responses I got:"
It's just the pits to have irreplaceable treasures pinched.
Yeah, and does anyone ever get around to rewriting lost journals. Is it even possible to rewrite them. You write them in the first place, while you are so strongly experiencing something......
I used to keep mine in my Hotmail account. The Hotmail people deleted a lot of the ones from 10 years ago, before server space became so available.
the reason I get hired to truck rock bands about is because I'm not remotely interested in doing it!...hassle them.
Like the reason so many women choose to hang around gay men. 😉
Reply to this An Antarctica trip is high on my list. I would go in a heartbeat. Good luck with your entry in the contest.
Reply to this Thank you. I still have some dastardly tricks up my sleeve to win...
If the Antarctica campaign goes south (ha ha) then I shall set off on one of my usual aimless winter trips. Last year I flew to Sri Lanka without even booking my first night's accommodation. I forget that I'm an adult sometimes..
And thanks Alan and Donna. I know, if only Antarctica wasn't so expensive! A double-edged sword: numbers are therefore restricted but, on the down side, only the rich can go..
Reply to this I still have some dastardly tricks up my sleeve to win...
When is the closing date of the competition?
I often dont book my first nights accomodation either. It is better not to in some places. Thailand for example. My winter trip is to Brazil and Uruguay this year. Last years was to India.
Reply to this September 30th is the closing date..
Ooh, Brazil and Uruguay - a splendid adventure. I'll plan something last minute depending on when tours are going out. I usually have a mad day - when brochures fill every inch of bedroom carpet - trying to decide where to go!
Maybe the Trans-Siberian this year - in the depths of winter..
Reply to this Pity you didn't win the trip to Antarctica. 😞
Better luck next time! 😊
Trans Siberian it probably is then for you, for this Winter. 😊
Reply to this Never mind!
Trans Siberian is indeed a possibility...but there is now talk of co-writing a comedy drama (about the rock n roll industry) for television. If we get a company interested, the winter will be spent scribbling scripts in front of roaring log fires.
If not, I'll jump on a train to Vladivostock! Win win situation 😊
Reply to this ONly the rich can go? NOt true! ONe simply has to have the desire and will then find a way. I am by no means rich. But anything is a possibility if you can dream it. Certainly it helped that I was already living in South America, but the last minute deals I got in Ushuia were not bad!
Reply to this Tell me more Kari! Any websites/contacts that you can recommend? I've got so many other things going on at the moment that Antarctica has taken a back seat, but if I can go for a less than exorbitant price...
I'm sure there are plenty of people on here that would value your advice..
Reply to this Well, you have to get to Ushuia Argentina and I am not sure how much that costs these days but the last minute deals they had while I was there were $2000 US, for a 12 day voyage all meals and excursions included. I had it paid off working two jobs in two months upon returning to the United States... it may sound like a lot but if you want to do it, it is certainly possible. For me there was no way I was making it as far as the end of the world and not going just a little bit further into Antarctica! It was a life long goal and I am I am so happy I accomplished it! Good luck to you
Reply to this It was a life long goal and I am I am so happy I accomplished it!
Congratulations, on fulfilling your goal! 😊
I was looking for a photo of you in Antarctica to post here, but couldnt find one. Do you have a blog about it? If so, would you post a direct link to it here.
Reply to this Yes, that's great news Kari. Was it literally a question of hanging round the docks in Ushuaia, hoping for a ship not booked to capacity? It's a long way to go if a) I can't get on or b) they charge me full whack..
So, when you were down in Argentina, did you ask around literally the day before, or how did it work? I'm beginning to think this is still possible for me! It does have to be a trip including South Georgia though..
Reply to this I had heard along my way about these last minute deals so I just finally decided to go there and see what it was all about. I ended up having to wait 8-9 days before the next ship but that was fine with me. You're right there by tierra del fuego and lots to do.
Reply to this Honestly I did not know these expeditions were run, I would love to go to Antarctica!!!
Reply to this Barnaby- Antarctica is a great place. If you want a different experience you can get a job working down there for a few months. I spent 5 months at McMurdo Station Antarctica in 1990. It was a blast. Now-- you may see more on a cruise because there are several restrictions when actually working done there but it is the experience of a life time. Check out the Raytheon website, they are located in Denver, Colorado. The best time to apply is in January/February for the next year. Summer work season is from September to February. You can view Antractica from many perspectives.
Reply to this Not Many People Want to Visit Antarctica?
Well, I'm okay with that. I understand 49,000 people visit each year. A few months before I left for my November 2009 expedition, I attended a party at my friendly sailing club. Told everyone about my plans. First person said "that's nice". Second person told me she went 5 months earlier. Third person had gone as part of a National Geographic expedition years ago -- before the nice passenger ships. And the 4th person -- oh my, the 4th person told me his daughter had spent 3 years there at a research center. I was impressed (and humbled).
Maybe you shouldn't ask people who attend music events?
As to some other comments made, oh DO save your money and go on this fabulous journey. It is exquisite and very much worth the cost/investment. Bring some Bonine and don't worry about the Drake Passage aka the Confluence of 2 oceans. We had a lot of fun with the rocking and rolling.
Reply to this Ahmm....after listening to Bono's sermons the last thing Id want to do is answer more questions heh! No seriously I love U2 - saw them as a "garage" band in Ireland in the 80s, saw them just before Xmas here in Perth 2011.
I must say.....the best ACDC gigs were before they hit the big time...$2 sneaking in underage to see Bon Scott and a VERY young Angus at the Perth Royal show when they were promoting their TNT album...thats how OLD i am!! There was something to be said for those days...I didnt enjoy the black ice tour because....ACDC morphed into a massive enterprise...from a muso's point of view Pink Floyd are allowed to put on a spectacle and call it a rock n roll show, other bands should stick to music. Wonder how many people would fork out the $$ if it was just like the 80s..few marshall amps stacked up, Bonn in his ripped jeans, couple of spotlights and straight from the gut rock n roll.
Sorry I digress..The antarctica thing. From Perth we have a new years eve flight which leaves...on new years eve...the circle flight over Antarctica is around 6K. From Perth in west Aus its an option of flying to Sydney to meet up with a cruise ship at a cost of around 15K per person.
Ive been trying to get a research position in Antarctica for a couple of years now, Id rather see it that way. From Aus we have quite a few job opps in my field of sciences come up when the Aus McMurdo station programme is running - Ive worked with a couple of people who have been down there working and would LOVE to go. The closest ive managed to get is Herd Island (yes, doing another study on Poo! - I spent five days there at the weather station working out ways to package up human waste and treat it - i have to look for some less sh1tty gigs!).
To spend 13K on a cruise with little time actually ON antartic terra firma doesnt really do it for me...but if thats the only way I can, when I am old I will.
My reasons - cruise ships are an adverse environmental impact on Antarctica. Well, on oceans anywhere actually even though MARPOL have done a lot regarding waste disposal.
When the Australian Antarctic research program is actively seeking staff I apply every year - one day :-)
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