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tachyon

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tachyon
tachyon This is a go. I'm booked on the November 13th Departure of this trip: http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/antarctic-expeditions/antarctic-explorer/overview If anybody is interested in joining me, feel free to book and drop me a message and we can meetup! It all kind of happened in a rush. And ultimately I couldn't get the time off work to do the extended South Georgia itinerary. But hey, it's still a trip to Antarctica!
Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 2 years ago
Todd
Todd Hey A, great to hear it's going ahead! I'll stick it on the home page. How's everything else going? We're currently living in India and Lauren is trekking the Gobi Desert. Moving to Thailand in a couple of weeks.
2 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Things are good. Off to Bali next weekend for a week of diving and surfing. Thailand is awesome! I'll make it to India eventually. I have this plan in my head to do Nepal-Bhutan-India at some point. It'll probably be a few years off though. The Gobi is insane. I remember when I was working up there. Hope she doesn't run into any chaotic dust storms!
2 years ago
tachyon

tachyon Ok, this trip is sadly something that can't be left until the last minute. Some of us need to book time off work and all that jazz. So I'm probably looking at going in November 2011. I can't clarify specific dates yet because we really need to agree on an itinerary and budget. I'd like to have this sorted out by March so I can sort out flights etc., so if anybody other than Cheeze wants in, let us know here WHEN you can go, and what your BUDGET is (roughly). Then we can look at ships and itineraries accordingly. I think the diving is probably off though. I can only find one boat that does it, and it requires all sorts of additional certifications and previous diving experience and for you to own all your own polar rated gear. And my gear isn't polar rated. So that's out, at least for me.

Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 2 years ago
Alex
Alex Hey tachyon, sent you an email twice, dunno if you've received that or it went to your spam, pls check. take care.
2 years ago
Alina
Alina 95% im in. anytime this year works for me, is there a time when its better to go? Or is it always just cold and white? Sadly i didnt have any time to research it yet, im planning my trip to India this March at the moment. Btw im originally from Russia (dont know why it said UK in my profile before), living in Cyprus at the moment. You can find me on facebook - www.facebook.com/alina.berezovskaya
Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 2 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Realistically it's "better" to go in December/January. However I can't really go in December because that's annual reporting season at work. And I'm planning on moving overseas in January (if I've not already done so before hand). Additionally, all the cruises in January cost considerably more than either going really early or really late in the season. If November isn't going to work for people, I'd probably need to put it off until late Feb or March 2012.
2 years ago
Alina
Alina november works for me :)
2 years ago
Alina
Alina Hi. I d love to come along, winter 2011-12 is perfect :) Hope i still have my savings by then :) Would be great to dive as well. Keep in touch
Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 3 years ago
Alex
Alex Hey tachyon, how was your diving trip? still in the mood to Antartica at the end of this year? Hey Alina, great that you will join! Update me!
2 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Hey, sent you an email!
2 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Diving was good. I sent you an email to the address you sent me.
2 years ago
Lauren
Lauren Anyone keen to climb Aconcagua or do the Inca Trail early next year? And any other ideas for adventures in South America?
Region | Latin America Travel Forum 3 years ago
Todd
Todd Absolument! Check out this trip... not for the faint-hearted http://globetrooper.com/buenos-aires-to-aconcagua-polish-traverse-route-2011
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Go the Galapagos! Best trip I've done in my entire life! Heading back next year if all goes to plan.
3 years ago
Todd
Todd Hey tachyon, why so? Is it more than the unique wildlife? Did you trek much? I suspect it's much less commercial than the Inca Trail.
3 years ago
vagabond
vagabond The machu picchu trail is still quite difficult, no matter how many people do it each year. The elevation really gets to some people.
3 years ago
Suzy
Suzy Hello Lauren. I am hopeful to do the Inca Trail in Feb next year. I will need to train a bit, I haven't done any hiking before this and I hear it is very strenuous with a lot of staircases
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Todd: there's not much trekking to be done, as you're required to stay on very limited paths around the islands and have a guide with you at all times. But the wildlife is just so...Words can't really describe it. I'm planning to go back next year to do a liveaboard diving trip there (budget pending). It's certainly not cheap to get there or go on a cruise, but for anybody who has even the remotest interest in natural history, it's one of the most amazing places on the planet.
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Also, I did the Inca Trail last year. It's not *that* bad. It's the altitude rather than the distance that will get you.
3 years ago
Meg
Meg The Inca Trail really isn't that bad as long as you take a few days to acclimatise to the altitude before you actually start hiking! By biggest tip would be blister plasters though! It doesn't matter how comfy your shoes are for normal hiking, that many staircases means blisters - prevention's better than having to hike 2 more days with blisters...
3 years ago
comehikewithmike
comehikewithmike Great tip! It's these things that turn an "okay" adventure into a "great" adventure.
3 years ago
Desiree
Desiree I would be interested in going at the end of 2011 or beginning 2012. It's kind of difficult to find people who want to do this sort of trip. :) So, I was surprised when I saw this posted. Which company are you guys going with?
Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Quark Expeditions. They've generally got the best "bang for your buck" reputation. Not dodgy, but not overpriced either. I am planning on the 3 week trip that goes to South Georgia, Falklands and Antarctica. There are shorter trips available, and they are of course cheaper (as the guy below posted, but I'm not interested in BTW)...This is the kind of trip you'll only do once, and I want to make the most of it and not do it half arsed, lest I regret it later.
3 years ago
Desiree
Desiree Yes, three weeks would be ideal especially if one is traveling all that way. I think I looked at Quark's website before but that was awhile ago. I'll have to take a look again. Do you have any people who are going for sure? Males, females, both?
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Well so far I'm the only one planning on going, and I'm female. The "for sure" bit is about 90% and assumes I can actually get the time off work :-)
3 years ago
Alex
Alex Hey tachyon & Desiree, I'm interested, too! End of 2011 or beginning 2012 (3wks) is fine with me. I just need your dates in advance to apply for leave. Looks like I need to start saving asap. ^_* Me -- female from Macau.
3 years ago
Alex
Alex The fact that Aurora departs from Santiago, Chile and returns to Ushuaia is good, but to be honest I didn't read much reviews on Aurora. I read a lot of positive comments on Quark and MS FRAM though. Nevertheless, I'm open to any suggestions. Again, the dates are totally fine for me, I just need advanced notice.
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Yeah, I'm pretty open on dates at this point as well. I just wish Quark Expeditions would release their 2011/12 cruise dates. It would make planning a lot easier! I'd try to pick a date that had a cheaper price I think, because depending on date, the price can range between $8000 and $14000. The cheaper end of the scale would suit me better and I'd try to organise the time off work to fit around that. I've contacted them to see when they're likely to release dates. Will let you know when I hear back.
3 years ago
Alex
Alex Great. It looks like our priorities are pretty much the same. Yes, if could confirm the dates earlier, we could get ourselves ready for early bird promotions on flights and stuff. The hongkongese love MS Fram, what do you think? http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/antarctica/Antarctica-Offers/Antarctic-Polar-Circle-Quest/www.hurtigruten.co.uk/antarctica/Antarctica-Offers/Antarctic-Polar-Circle-Quest/
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon I'm certainly not opposed to MS Fram, however I'm not too keen on that itinerary. I really want to go to South Georgia Island, which as far as I can tell, basically fits this trip: http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/antarctica/Antarctica-Offers/19days-Shackletons-Antarctica/
3 years ago
Alex
Alex To be honest, I only have a general idea on the Antarctic cruise thing, I didnt really look into the details yet. I'm actually busy preparing for my short trip to Vietnam in August and my "possibly" Peru trip at the end of this year. Anyways, I'll look into the details when I have time. Just to let you know I am very probable to do this cruise with you and am willing to share the planning and work later on. Keep in touch.
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon lol, not to worry. I started researching this last year...And then blew my "Antarctica" money going to Africa, so put it off till next year. I'm in the midst of sorting out a dive trip at Christmas time at the moment. And while I'm definitely in for this trip, I won't be able to confirm dates till later in the year anyway, because we're only allowed to apply for leave from work 12 months in advance. So we've got some time to figure it all out!
3 years ago
Alex
Alex GREAT. Btw, your bunch of adventurous trips really made me envious. I just wish I wont chicken out for the Peru trip this year end. Let's concentrate on our own trips this year for the time being... Antarctic is distracting! LOL
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Peru's awesome. I went last year and did the Inca Trail. Hard work, but good fun :-) If you get the chance (and budget permits) I also recommend heading up to Ecuador and going out to the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos among all my travels, has been my favorite ever trip.
3 years ago
Alex
Alex Thanx for da advice, I'll check it out. ^_*
3 years ago
Mel
Mel Diving the Antarctic has been a long time dream :) I noticed your dates run from 2010-2012, when do you think you will be going?
Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon I'd originally planned to go at the end of this year, but finances were shot when I decided to go to Africa for almost a month (just got home today). So probably end of 2011/early 2012 at this stage if all goes to plan. I'm pretty flexible with dates though.
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Dates will be more limited by the cruise departures than anything else.
3 years ago
Mel
Mel Thanks for the heads up :) That timing is a lot better for myself as well, as I will be able to get a chance to start saving up ;) At this point, considering that this has been on my 'ultimate goal list' for years, I can say that I am all in...will just depend on the funds...but there couldn't be a better form of motivation :)
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon well as a starting off point, this is the cruise itinerary that i've been looking at most closely: http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/antarctic-expeditions/explorers-quest/overview dates for the 2011/12 cruise season aren't out yet, but apparently should be released in july sometime. these boats don't offer the diving option though...i'm still 50/50 as to whether to try for that or not.
3 years ago
Todd
Todd You linked "Scuba & Snorkelling" to this Trip. Are you going diving in Antarctica? Wow. That would be amazing... and cold.
Trip | Antarctica Adventure
Travel Forum 3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Always lots of adventure :D Decided the house can wait. I'm blowing the deposit I'd saved on going travelling instead. Might come back to bite me later on, but at least I'll have had fun in the meantime! I think Everest, while it sounds awesome, is probably well beyond my limitations. I'm learning that I have some.
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon Any last minute takers? If anybody wants to come gorilla trekking on these dates, you'll need to organise your trek permit immediately (assuming there's any left!). Otherwise, I'm happy to meet up with any fellow travellers in Kampala for a drink or something!
Trip | Uganda Gorilla Trek
Travel Forum 3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon I've booked and paid for this already with Churchill Safaris. They have a good reputation, but aren't the cheapest lot out there. I wanted the confidence that I wasn't going to get ripped off and that I'd get a reasonable quality trip, so the extra couple of hundred dollars I'm paying is worth it IMO. As it's already booked, the trip dates are inflexible, but if anybody else is in the area at the same time and is looking for a way to split costs, let me know!
Trip | Uganda Gorilla Trek
Travel Forum 3 years ago
Lauren
Lauren Damn, I really really want to do this but won't be able to make it this year :( Did you see you can "Friend-a-gorilla" online now? Pretty cool, but would be way better to see them up close and personal
3 years ago
Todd
Todd We wrote about Friend-A-Gorilla here: http://globetrooper.com/gorilla-tracking/overview/regions
3 years ago
tachyon
tachyon That's a really great initiative. I knew that the Uganda Wildlife Authority had conservation measures in place and that the majority of the gorilla trek permit went towards that, but it's great to see they're trying to get the general public involved as well. I think it may be a case of too little, too late to be honest, but at least the sentiment is there. I expect future generations will probably have to visit a zoo to see them in the future.
3 years ago
Katrina
Katrina Havent got a photo up yet! Lauren- Nicole and I have always wanted to do this too, maybe we could join you next year? July is laways good for us, keep it in mind, Im sure you won't know where you will be in July next year!
3 years ago
Lauren
Lauren Hi Katrina! Yes, not sure where we are going to be next year, but I definitely want to get back to Africa to do this.
3 years ago
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tachyon

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