Preparations and travel fever

Two days left before departure, and it's due time to start the blog we've promised everyone, so here it is! On this site you will be able to follow our (amazing) adventures at SANAE, the South African research station on Antarctica, but before getting there we will spend one week in Hermanus, SA, preparing, and then 12-16 days on the boat SA Agulhas, most likely with a green face and the nose over the rail. The packing has started and panic is in the air.. wonderful! I dug out my ice axe today and wondered for a second if we are the only ones to ever bring ice axe, crampons, skiboots etc on a flight to South Africa?

On Saturday I got Lonely Planet - Antarctica as an early christmas gift from Rolf and Margareta, this will be my bible during the next three months! According to LP SANAE is the most modern station on Antarctica, which sounds nice. It even has a bathroom for people with disabilities!

We just noticed 'wooden gloves' on the equipment list, as well as 'suits freezer', which got us really excited about what adventures this trip will include... We'll keep you updated (as much as we can, no internet on the boat and limited access from the base). Now it's time to get back to packing! Tomorrow I plan to buy three months supply of chocolate, I think I'll spend tomorrow evening repacking...
-Hanna