Because I'm a little bit mentally unhinged...
 

Not only have we just paid the deposit on our Kenya/ Africa trip (this morning), we've just decided (yesterday) to book a return trip to Antarctica for next winter!

We went to a lecture/ photography show on Antarctica by Jonathan and Angie Scott last night and a particular trip was touted there - similar to the one we did before but with more days in South Georgia, one of our highlights.

We spent a great deal of the late evening and most of this morning working out our finances and looking at every account we have and working out whether we could pull it off.

We've decided to just go for it and we'll confirm tomorrow. The trip's been open to bookings for months (we just hadn't heard about it) and we quite literally bagged the last cabin available. I know that's true because a friend works there.

Not that many people go to Antarctica and 2nd time. How wonderful for you. I am mentally filing that South Georgia comment you made.

Unhinged is good.

Good for you, Kavey!

That last cabin must have been 'meant' for you.

I think most people who go to Antarctica once would LIKE to go a 2nd time. It's just most of them have more financial acumen than we do and are more sensible with their money!

Kavey that last cabin was mind Grrrr!

Oh heck good ahead and take it , have a good time. :)

Percy

Kavey, that's great news.

I'm not sure which phrase fits best -- "It's only money" or "You can't take it with you" -- butboth seem to fit.

And, I thought I was the only one planning Christmas 2008 (for me, the Philippines and Palau).

I still need to book Antarctica, but its such a lengthy trip, and I also want to visit the subantarctic islands -- I may need to wait until retirement for that one :-(

Michael,
Don't wait. I believe strongly in conservation and the ability to change the future but... at the same time I don't think the odds are great.
Go before it's too late.
I know it's expensive but... you would NOT regret it. You truly wouldn't.
Find a 3 week trip including the Falklands, South Georgia and the peninsula and just BOOK IT.

Kavey - great decision, just how expensive is the trip if thats not too rude?

Erm, well it's not like you can't look it up so. It's about 6.5 k per person. UK money.

Kavey,

That sounds like a fantastic journey. Antarctica is definitely on my (semi) short list. Funds and vacation time are what keeps it off of my very short list.

I had looked at an Antarctica trip that I thought was a good deal. Alas, it was with OAT, and given the other thread(s) about them, I'll do believe I'll look elsewhere.

Who is your trip through?

Shane

I take it this is for 2008/2009 season? Do Antarctic cruises typically sell out this far in advance or is there something special about this sailing?

The ship is the Sergey Vavilov, sister ship to the Akademik Ioffe that we travelled on last time. It's currently a Peregrine ship but I think Peregrine have either been merged with or bought out by the parent company that already owns Quark (who offer similar trips). Not sure whether they will merge the brands or operate both as they are now. I have a feeling they're merging. Oddly enough the parent company I think is the one that also owns the travel company I used to work for!

Patty, they do book well quite far in advance but yes, this is a special sailing. Exodus (who have some kind relationship with Peregrine I don't fully understand in terms of ownership) have, on this occasion, chartered the entire ship for their own bookings only and are makin it a photographic special. They have invited some extra specialists on top of the experts Peregrine use for crew already. These include Jonathan and Angie Scott, Mark Carwardine (we've travelled with all 3 before a number of times) as well as Chris Packham, well known in the UK but probably not overseas and others...

Since we are talking Antarctic, does anyone know anything about taking a Russian freigher (I think that's the kind of boat) there? I've heard it is less expensive with an interesting on-board atmosphere.

Kavey, When you are able, can you post your itinerary?

Congrats, Kavey. I am envious. I think there's a corny joke somewhere here about waiting for my ship to come in, but I'm too tired tonight.

Did I miss the Kenya itinerary somewhere?

Never mind. Saw it. Fabulous. :D

Kavey - that's wonderful (I'm jealous - but in a good way.) I think it will be several more years before we can manage to get back to the Antarctic ... but someday ...

I just saw a nature show with Art Wolfe in the Antarctic and he said South Georgia is his favorite place on earth. You and Art think alike.

Lynn,
Have you seen the Art Wolfe Kenya episode? Part of it took place on El Karama. I kept seeing familiar faces and found myself blurting out OMG throughout the show.

On a related note, I put a deposit down for a peninsula cruise for Feb 2009. It's not a done deal as I'm still actually deciding (I can get back most of my deposit if I change my mind). I sort of panicked when I saw this thread and wanted to hold something while I thought about it some more as it's hard for me to plan so far out. I'd love to do one that included Falklands/South Georgia but at this point don't think I'll be able to afford it. So I guess MAYBE I'll be going to Antartica next winter :D

Patty,

Forgive my ignorance on Antarctic geography, but you will do just the penninsula and not Falklands/South Georgia because to do it all is too expensive?

Even if you decide not to do the trip, can you tell us the operator or the boat?

Thanks!