Sydney Nov 30

Hi All!

Made it to Sydney this morning!
I am in the process of calling all my friends here; I've been in touch with some, with others I've left a message. I'm pretty jetlagged - didn't get any sleep on the flight - but I'm not going to sleep half a day away.

It looks like Stephen's expedition is going well - let's hope the wind is more favorable for them tomorrow.

Bangkok - Oriental City

I said goodbye to Beijing yesterday afternoon and hello to Bangkok last night. Fil was waiting for me at the airport - which was great as I arrived quite late - and we took a taxi to his place. Spent the first evening catching up on his roof terrace with beer and wine.

Today we started off with breakfast and coffee at the local Starbucks (yep - and it was rather nice to have a proper latte again since leaving San Francisco). We then embarked on a bit of sightseeing together: took the boat on the river to the Royal Palace and the 30meter long gilded reclining Buddha. Had some lunch and took the riverbus back.
Tonight we're going out with friends of Fil's.

The weather is rather different than in Beijing: here it is hot and humid - and I'm told this is the cool season. There seems to be a constant threat of rain but we only had a bit of that.

Thanksgiving in Beijing

Goodmorning everyone!

All is going very well here in Beijing. I visited the Great Wall yesterday which was one of 'those things' on my list of man-made structures to see. I was in a group with one other couple from London, Tricia and Barry, who were great company. They invited me to have dinner with them last night, which was wonderful.
Today I'm going to explore the 'Hutongs of Beijing' (small, old and still traditional alleyways) by rikshaw and then wander around a bit. The weather here is still gorgeous!

caroline.

Beijing Nov 23

Hi All!

Gorgeous weather here in Beijing: blue skies and cold, but very nice!
Saw the main sites in the city yesterday.... but please remind me to not visit a city anymore that is gearing up for the Olympics as some of the best parts of those sites are closed off to the public for renovations (Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace - only the grounds and some 'lesser' structures are accessible)... oh well.
Off to see the Wall today.
Believe it or not, I can' get to my own website here in China... it just seems to be blocked... no explanation... but no access... so hopefully those blogs make it alright!

We are "go" for Departure

Just been given the word. The flight has been cleared for departure. With good luck we will be in the air in less than 2 hours.

Signing off from Punta Arenas.

Still In Punta Arenas

Yes, still here. The plane did not leave early. So we are back on the original schedule. Hopefully will depart today. Yesterday visibility on the ice was unlimited, but winds were gusting between 20 and 60 miles per hour. The plane is in what they call a "go" status, fully loaded and fueled. We all have to stay in our hotels. They can call the flight at any time. And if they do, we are expected to be in the air flying South within 2 hours of the call. CNN is getting very boring. And the hotel room is very dull.

Beijing Nov 22

Hi All,

I made it safe and sound to Beijing - planning to tour the city today.

Rushing to Depart

We are all rushing to get the our stuff packed correctly and the plane loaded. Looks like we may fly a day early, which would be wonderful. Apparently there has been some very bad weather over the last two weeks and it is currently calm. So while we have the window, we all want to get down to the ice.

Gear check went well, I had everything I needed. I have also had a chance to socialize with my climbing companions. They all seem nice people. We are however missing one person, who is flying in this morning from Santiago sans luggage. If his luggage does not turn up, I do not think he will be getting on the plane.

That is it for now. If there are no more messages, then we departed early. Wish me luck.

Arrived in the Southern Tip of Chile

Arrive a few hours ago in Punta Arenas after 24 hours of flying and very little sleep. A quick shower to freshen up, a little stroll down the main street and now sitting in an Internet Cafe.

Flight was uneventful. And most importantly my two bags arrived. Group gear check is in 30 minutes, so I will find out if anything is missing. I will also get to meet some of my climbing companions, although apparently some are still on route. That is all for now. Signing off from a sunny but cold and windy Punta Arenas.

Leaving on Nov 20th

Hi All!

Just a quick one to get this new travel log started.
I'm leaving tomorrow, Sunday Nov 20 to Beijing, China - the first stop on my trip. I arrive there on Nov 21st. I do not know what internet acces will be like, but I will endeavour to put reasonably regular updates here. And I'm going to try to listen to the cybercasts from Stephen's expeditions as much as I can!!
I guess I better start packing.....

Final preparations for our trips.

As you know by now - if you've been keeping an eye on this - Stephen is leaving for Antartica soon: he's flying out on Sat Nov 19th.
At the moment he's making sure that all his gear is in tip-top condition and that nothing is missing.
For those of you who are interested: it will be possible to follow his trek up the mountain almost 'live' via the cybercasts on the site of the company he is going with. These cybercasts will start once the actual trek is underway - on Nov 20 or 21. The link will be http://www.alpineascents.com/vinson-cybercast.asp
Stephen will not be able to make it to an internet cafe to put personal updates on the site. He'll be back home on Dec 7th and will put an account of his adventure on our site in the days following.

In the meantime Caroline will be jet-setting around a bit herself. She leaves on Nov 20th and will visit Beijing (first time to China), Bangkok (to see Fil), Sydney (to see lots of friends), Hong Kong (with Alison) and Shanghai (to see Elke and Danny). During her trip Caroline expects to have access to the internet and she'll endeavour to put some updates on the 'Current Travel Log' section of our website, so check back there! She'll be gone till Dec 13th.