Helen asked me to post this for you...

Today is Friday 1/25 and it is our 2nd sea day. We have just had our mandatory
briefing on Zodiacs: how to dress, how to behave and what to expect when we
make our first landings tomorrow. WooHoo! Weather today is a little foggy and
somewhat chillier than it has been. Prior to today the weather was bright and
shiny and warmer than I expected, in the 50s mostly. There is much movement and
rocking of the ship but it is pretty gentle. Mostly stuff rolls off the table
as opposed to bouncing off. Good sleeping movement and I guess no one is really
adversely affected as the dining room was full to overflowing at lunch today.
Santiago was very hot, and it was a Sunday that we were there so nothing much
was open. We had a great lunch of king crab at the fish market and then headed
to the hotel The Grand Hyatt is very nice with a lovely pool area.
Flight to Ushuaia was uneventful. There were 4 of us and we were scattered
around the plane so dont know how they determine seat assignments? After we got
to Ushuaia we were taken from the airport (luggage was taken separately) to a
BBQ/Gaucho show. Very pleasant way to kill the few hours before we could board.
Boarding was a breeze. The cabins are pretty basic. Ours (SP 08) is a bit more
spacious then my nephews' B35 and we have a small stocked fridge whch they do
not have. FYI my boys tell me that the DVDs they brought with them from the
States will not play on the TV in the cabin, only the ones that they get from
the reception desk. So bring a DVD player if you plan to catch up.
In the Falklands we took the excursion to the Rockhopper penguins. Had a ball.
They are very cute little guys. Be warned however that it is rough ride in a
SUV over the peat. The young man who drove us said that a guy he drove in the
second group complained so bitterly that his wife finally told him to just shut
up! The ugly American rears his head again!
The food has been very good to excellent. The deck BBQs have been fabulous:
German sausages and beer one day and fresh mussels from the Falklands and white
wine the next. Sadly no Belvedere vodka but we soldier on. The crew and the
Expedition team are very friendly and the Captain is quite accessible. The
bridge is open Dress is pretty casual. I saw a few rhinestones at the Captains
Welcome Aboard dinner but basically black pants and a nice blouse are more thsn
adequate.
No ice yet but a few whale sightings. This morning I saw 2 fin whales along
side- saw their backs break the surface, very big boys! Very impressive.
So the excitement builds as we prepare for our first landing tomorrow. If Kathy
doesnt mind conveying them I will try to answer any questions from you Icers
and will try to post again.
-----------------
Helen

Helen,

Sure I can be your communictions officer! Any posts I can forward to Helen..

Kathy, thank you so much for bringing Helen's posting to us! Since I and many others are on next week we are eager to hear anything!

Helen, I hope you continue to enjoy your cruise!

Thank you Kathy!! Helen, so glad you were able to send us some sea mail. Enjoy!!

Great report, Helen! Enjoy your first zodiac landing. Fin whales up close? I was just reading about them in the book they send for the cruise. Sounds divine.

Kathy - thanks for serving as communications officer. Much appreciated! :app:

Cheers, Anne

Helen, Sounds like one exciting experience. Can't wait to hear more from you and the ICEees next month.

Great report, Helen! And thanks very much, Kathy, for posting. Question for Helen: How many computers are onboard for passengers to use for Internet purposes?? Thanks, and hope your first zodiac landing was thrilling!

Michele, see this posting from Ngaire re: computers.


http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=000036

Today's Seamail from Antartica....


A fantastic trip. There is just no way to do justice to the sheer majesty of
this place. That being said we have had a few disappointments. Our first
landing was cancelled due to high winds. That afternoon we did set sail on the
Zodiacs for a water tour and saw our first penguin colonies (Adelies). The next
day the first group got out and went ashore but the landing for the second
goup (mine) was cancelled because the high winds had returned. We were finally
able to go ashore in Mickeleson Bay where we saw Gentoo penguins and several
Weddell seals. We even gave chase to a humpback whale out in the Bay. Later we
toured around in the Zodiacs and saw a leopord seal resting on an iceberg.
Yesterday we went ashore in Port Lockroy. My husbands 7th continent ( I have
yet to set foot on Africa) Port Lockroy has a Briitsh station that is manned in
the summer and they sell souveniers such as cards, pins, patches, books and T
shirts. The ship put on a BBQ for lunch with lobster tails, sausages, steak,
Bananas Foster. It was great. Nothing quite like the experience os sitting
outside on a ship's deck eating BBQ and watching the ice bergs go by! I dont
think anybody does this type of thing better than Regent. Later we went ashore
in Paradise Bay where we hiked up the hill behind the Argentine station there
and then slid back down. WooHoo! Great fun. My nephews did it twice but the
hike was kinda tough for those of us who are not 18 anymore so I contented
myself with just the once. Todays morning landing at Deception Bay where the
volcanic situation allows for a dip in the water had to be cancelled because of
the winds again. So we are now sailing to our afternoon destination with great
hope of being able to land as it will be our last before we head on back to
Ushuia. With 2 straight sea days coming up I will try to post again.

There is not much night life aboard the Explorer II. Music is provided by the
Explorer II quartet who can play anything and seem to stick mostly with soft
rock, like Stevie Wonder. Very nice but has a tendency to add to the sleepiness
brought on by the hour and the rolling of the ship. My husband who is a
professional singer, has sung a few nights with the band and gotten a pretty
warm reception for the rock and roll by the handfull of party people who are
still up at 10 pm. Tonight is the crew show which I have heard great things
about. The crew is all Phillipino and they are warm, friendly and cannot do
enough for you. You Icers are in for a great time.
-----------------------
Helen

Helen, I've loved reading your seamail! I'm sorry about the winds but as they say, you can't fool Mother Nature! Your trip sounds like it's been great, hoping those on ICE will have just as good a time!