Well as the days fly by, we each continue to plod away getting organised.
Mary, Phil and Steve came to Moe today for lunch at our new and fabulous wine bar – Penny Lane followed by a trip meeting to check in with plans and get ourselves organised.
We are closer, but haven’t nailed the second half of the trip, which is creating a bit of stress. After once again checking the proposed itinerary from Ripio Turismo we are keen to confirm a couple of details and make payment…almost there. Our other key stress is our Chilean VISAS, more accurately, our lack of visa. Back in January we met to discuss and figure it out with no luck. Thanks to Phil doing some research we discovered that we needed 9 months validity on our passports. Unfortunately I was short by 4 days. This required an urgent passport renewal and an unexpected cost. 4 days later I had a new passport in my hand.
Mary and Phil figured out the VISA application and submitted. I followed suit by following Mary’s excellent instructions- however only last week I realised I hadn’t hit ‘end’ so was not submitted. Fingers crossed it’s in now and getting sorted. We plan to visit the consulate in Melbourne and finalise with a bit of luck next Monday on our return from Riverboats music festival in Echuca.
So we sat today and discussed plans, packing tips, packing lists, luggage types, power plugs, seasickness medications, money, ordered some stuff, arranged a hotel when we are back on home soil, and so many other details.
The scariest discussion is the ever present threat of COVID hanging over our heads. Steve had spoken to people who’ve just returned from Antarctic trip having spent 5 days confined to Cabin. EEK!! We have to test negative just prior to embarkation and again 3 days later. Testing times-pardon is the pun!!! We’ve agreed that others continue on the trip if one of us tests positive.
For now there are lots of logistics to manage with 25 days till departure.
Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 