I won't be leaving until a week from Friday but I'm developing a web blog to use during my cruise. I'm posting the link here and hope that once I'm on the Minerva I'll be able to update and upload photos - at least I've got a start and hope to make it work either while I'm traveling or when I return.

Here are my first pages:

http://web.me.com/ogram1/My_Penguin_Visit/My_Adventure_Begins.html

NOTE! I had to edit the address slightly to allow comments to be posted, so if you bookmarked the address you'll need to delete the original and use the corrected address above. The change is from web.mac.com to web.me.com

Oh fun Margo I will look forward to following your adventure!!!!

Yippee, thanks for taking the time to do this, Margo!

You already have a nice start. Looking forward to reading it each day. What a great adventure!

Ladies...thanks for for taking a look! I'm excited. I loved the book Endurance - it really inspired me to learn more about Sir Ernest - he was an amazing leader - someone we could all emulate.

My family and friends have loaded me down with fleece wear, books and lots of good wishes. I've never felt so well "launched" in all my history of cruising.

Now we just have to pray for some "Ngaire" weather for the Drake Lake! The last two cruises have had terrific weather, I hope they won't wear out our luck.

If only some of you were along for the ride it would be perfect! I'll be missing you but sharing the fun.

Margo, Looks like a great beginning. Can't wait to read all about your wonderufl adventure in Antarctica.

I bet you are going to meet some wonderful people. They have to love an adventure or they wouldn't be on this cruise.

Betty... if the ICE and POP travelers are any indication I'm in for a wonderful cruise!

Yes my guess is, you are, Margo!

Margo - is the trip here already? Wow .. you are in for a treat. I also was captivated by "Endurance". The memorable line "But can we stay here?" during the crossing of S. Georgia Island still comes to mind.

The Falkland Islands have wonderful handmade woolen items. I got a headband I simply loved.

Look forward to reading about your adventure. Give the Minerva a big "hello" from us! Cheers, Anne

Margo, I will eagerly await the tales of your adventure! Hardly seems like a year has passed since many of us on LCT were preparing for the same itinerary on ICE. May you experience a Drake Lake passage on your way home!

Margo, your blog is awesome! It will be so much fun following you. I tried to leave a comment but there was a glitch.

You are taking my dream trip. Can't wait to hear about it. Happy packing and safe travels.

Your blog looks terrific, Margo! I'm looking forward to reading all bout your trip! So glad your trip includes South Georgia - that is really a highlight, especially for Shackleton fans.

Maqrgo, have a wonderful trip.

Be sure and take time on the landings to just stop and look around. There is so much to see that it is hard to take it all in.

I have a large print of South Georgia on my wall in my office, it is a wonderful place. Wish I was going back with you.

Susan

Thank you for all of the great encouragement...all the stories you shared made me long to take this voyage. I still pinch myself sometimes because it will be a dream come true.

I promise to revel in the special moments - and capture some of them on my camera.

I echo everyone's comments, Margo, especially re: South Georgia Island. ;) I'm so excited for you. You have such a wonderful spirit so know you will enjoy this special adventure!

Wow you are an "A" decker! last year Gary wrote a song to remind us that we are indeed the "low life B deckers". It was all in fun, now if only the band would have played Freebird after dinner during the wild late night sessions…

BTW, you will not have your port hole closed (high seas) because the A deck does not have them (windows)

Grant - I got "upgraded" - when I booked it was a GTY and I just found out my cabin assignment.

I guess I'll have the pleasure of watching the waves splash against my window! :)

Nice site you created, M! It will be great to travel along with you, virtually. Have a wonderful time.

Margo, I'm so happy for you and can't wait to travel with you, virtually!

Nancy

You are a lucky girl. "A" deck and no closed portholes.

Enjoy your trip (and bring ear coverings). It gets mighty windy down there. One other tip: look outside your door in the morning. If the sick bags are on the rails, the crew expects it will be a rough one!

If Junior is one of the cooks in the upstairs restaurant (Verandah when we sailed her), give him our best and BE SURE to special order the delicious onion rings for lunch when you get your breakfast. You will be the envy of all the other guests, and they make everything right with the world. They are superb. Damn the torpedoes and damn the cholesteral.

Cheers, Anne

Oh geez .. I almost forgot essential information. BRING HAIR CONDITIONER. It's really windy and they didn't supply it. Thank god Andrea loaned me some of hers.

Cheers, Anne

The onion rings are good, but Junior is also the man to see for a great omelette with a heapin' helping of IRRESISTIBLE bacon (as he calls it). Please do tell him we all said hello if he's there - he's a very friendly and fun guy.

I wonder if Joel is still there? If so, you are in for some excellent origami creations. When we talked with Louie on the Voyager, he didn't seem to have info on Joel's whereabouts.

You're in for a great adventure. I wish I could stow away in your suitcase :)

Dena

Be sure and go to the large lounge at night, the one where the lectures are. The have a nice band and they don't have many people come to dance. Before we got there I believe that the highest attendance was less than 20.

However, the captain had to come down and tell us that the band had to stop because people above us were complaining. Leave it to LCT'ers.

Susan

Margo, there is a family aboard Minerva now that are blogging. Below is the link, so you can follow along and whet your appetite.
Debbie
http://worldwideweldens.blogspot.com/

Debbie...thanks for the link - I can't believe I can be any more excited but I am.

My grandson's class is sending me a memento to take along and photograph during my trip so that they can "travel" along with me. Their teacher is going to do an Antarctica lesson segment and I will visit their class in late February to answer questions and show photos etc. Now I'm thinking of all the things 7 year-olds might find fascinating - same things I do, I expect!

I'm leaving tomorrow - still packing and agonizing about choices and luggage weight - two connections to Ushuaia! At least the Florida weather has me prepared for some cooler temps!

Make sure that you ask the band to play FreeBird! Also say hello to Nigel...

Grant....I will do both! :)

Bon voyage, Margo - have a fantastic time! I look forward to reading your blog!