The Countdown Begins

The suitcases have been moved from storage in the closet to the bed in the guest room. On the final leg of our upcoming adventure we are allowed one suitcase each, weighing up to 50 pounds and a carry-on weighing less than 13 pounds. Hubby had to get a new large suitcase as his lost a wheel after the cruise to New Zealand and Australia.

The need for a large suitcase is because we are traveling from North America winter to South America summer to open water excursions and summer in Antarctica. One night in New York City with some exploring in winter temps, four days in South American countries including a rain forest region, and then 9 days on a cruise with land excursions on ice.

one of us is farther along in the packing than the other

new black LARGE suitcase from Costco

We have specific clothes we are to bring for the cruise. Parkas and boots are furnished, but not the layers. Waterproof lined pants on the left. Two base layer shirts. Two mid-layer pullovers. Two pairs of base leggings. Two pairs of wool socks from Sweden and one pair of sock liners.

We purchased special gloves, neckwear, goggles, waterproof pockets for our phones, AND seasickness meds, sunscreen (not in photo) and three different electrical adaptors. (We had two of the three needed adaptors and only had to purchase the one needed for our overnight stay in Brazil.) All of this fits into the white packing cube in the first photo. Keep in mind, this is ONLY the clothes needed for the possible eight Zodiac excursions from the cruise ship to land in the Antarctic continent. 

A friend, Donna, purchased this lined, ear-flap, waterproof hat at a rummage sale in AZ last winter from a woman who was on an excursion to Antarctica on the cruise line Hurtigruten. I felt it needed to make another trip to the continent. 

Summer clothes, ship casual and dinner clothes are beginning to be pulled from the closet. I am going to keep those to a minimum! The adventure begins on Friday. More FB posts and blogs beginning next week.