In a statement issued last week Royal Caribbean Cruises, one of Haiti’s largest foreign investors for almost 30 years, announced plans to provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief in response to the catastrophic earthquake in Port-Au-Prince. Royal Caribbean will be partnering with charitable organizations – such as Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, and the Solano Foundation, the company’s foundation in Haiti – to provide additional assistance to the people of Haiti.

Many past AJers have had the pleasure of Barry Asman’s company on one or more of their trips. While not a full time Amazing Journeys host, Barry’s place on a tour means not only another friendly & helpful face, but also the added benefit of photography genius to help everyone enhance their valuable vacation memories. From “Barry’s Photo Tips” at our group events, to his now famously coined “one…two…three…EXXXCELLENT!”….to the DVD slide show he creates for the group on the fly during the trip and then generously fine tuning it at home to send as a memento to each passengers, Barry has shared his passion of picture taking with thousands of Amazing Journeyers over the years.

Photography on this trip (or in any cold environment) will present some interesting challenges as they pertain to the climate and temperature. Luckily we will be experiencing the Antarctic Summer and will be enjoying their “warm season” with temperatures likely in the 20°s and 30°s (Fahrenheit). Warm in this case is strictly in comparison to the winter temperatures of -40°F.

Preparing for taking pictures in Antarctica can be divided into two categories: 1) taking care of your camera and 2) taking care of yourself.

Most importantly-and most basic-is to take care of yourself. This means staying warm. How you personally choose to to that I’ll leave this to your own determination, however, the one thing that I do want to address is the relevance of keeping your hands warm. As you would expect, gloves are the key. You should plan bring a pair of regular warm gloves normally used in a winter climate, as well as a special pair of “fingerless” gloves so that you’ll have dexterity to operate a camera in the cold. There are several types of these fingerless gloves to use. My suggestion is to go to a sporting goods store (or on line) and head to the hunting section. Here is an example: http://www.rei.com/product/305045 .

Now, let’s talk photography! There are two issues that make photography in the cold interesting; power and water. First let’s talk about power (batteries). The thing to remember is that, in cold temperatures, battery power goes down quickly. There is an easy solution to this; carry extra batteries. If you camera uses regular batteries, just pop a couple of extra sets in your coat close to your body (to keep them warm). When the set in your camera gets cold and stops working, just change them out for a “body warmed” set. The cold set, meanwhile, will come alive when warmed up again. If your camera takes only proprietary rechargeable batteries, go to the camera store (or order online) a second battery. Keep one warm while you shoot with the other; then just swap them out. Easy enough!

Now let’s talk about water, two kinds: Ocean Spray and Condensation.

Ocean Spray: Since we will be getting to shore by Zodiac rubber boats, there is the chance that you, and therefore your camera, may get wet. The solution is to transport it to shore in a waterproof bag. While a sealable baggy may be adequate, I prefer a “Dry Bag” to really protect my camera (here is the kind I have: http://www.rei.com/product/784157 ). The size you get depends on your camera size.

Condensation. If you’ve been outside for a while in the cold air, then go inside the warm house; what’s the first thing that happens? Your glasses fog up. This occurs when your cold glasses hit the warm air. The same thing will happen to your camera. If you take your Antarctic cold camera onto the warm ship, the camera will instantly form condensation (water droplets) not only on the camera, but also inside the camera. Remember, water and electronics are not happy together, i.e. your camera’s guts will fry.

Preventing condensation on your camera is very important and not too difficult. Here’s the solution: While your camera is still Antarctic cold, put it in a sealable plastic bag, and seal it tightly. Leave it in the sealed bag until, once back onboard the ship, the camera slowly warms back up to room temperature. Problem solved! (Going from warm to cold should not be a problem, only cold to warm.) I’m actually going to throw a couple of those Silica Gel desiccant packs (the kind that comes with your new shoes to keep them dry) in my camera bag and the plastic bag for added protection.

Now, some of the above advice may be overkill. It’s not going to be THAT cold, but you can never be too prepared.

My final words of wisdom: Take plenty of memory cards and plenty of batteries and appropriately sized sealable baggies (see above)

If you’re going to get a new camera for the trip, get it now and learn how to use it now. Don’t wait to open the box on the plane on the way! Practice using your camera and all of its settings. Being familiar with your camera will pay off in improved pictures.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Happy shooting!

AJ’s own Michele Rosenberg was recently one of the first passengers ever to expierence this amazingly new innovation in the cruise industry, called Oasis of the Seas.

Amazing Journeys was featured this week on The Jewish Channel as part of their Week In Review feature story. Our visit to New York in early December to host two ‘amazing’ events prompted this visit and now you can view a part of the experience too. The Jewish Channel is an On Demand channel but if you don’t subscribe to it you can view a clip of the story from TJC’s website. Just follow this link: http://newsdesk.tjctv.com/2009/12/week-in-review-december-11-2009/
We welcome your comments at info@amazingjourneys.net

Booking a trip to Alaska, Europe, South America or Africa might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you, but its all in a day’s work for a travel specialist. Here are a few tips from several specialists on how you can get the most out of your trip:

Join Amazing Journeys in April and treat yourself to a vacation that can change your life.

A new dear friend of mine is a freelance writer and recently took it upon herself to write a story for her local newspaper about her adventure on her Amazing Journey to the National Parks of the US Southwest. My guest writer/friend is Barbara Russek, and here is her very interesting story from an angle most casual travelers would not have considered:

Get Very Much for Very Little…in Vegas!

They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But my good news from Vegas, also known for good reason as the City of Lost Wages, needs to be shared. You can enjoy entertainment right on the Strip that will leave your wallet intact and you with some fun memories of your trip.

Our group arrived in Las Vegas late on a recent Wednesday afternoon, the last stop on a tour of some stunning Southwestern natural wonders. These included Monument Valley in Northern Arizona and Zion National Park, just across the border in Utah. The serenity that had filled my soul while taking in nature’s artistry was shattered when we pulled in to our hotel on the Strip. Just outside, there were wall to wall people everywhere, hawkers selling everything from hotdogs to hot babes and huge billboards advertising a myriad of shows: Cirque du Soleil, Bette Midler and Seinfeld (coming in December) to name but a few. Most shows had prices that made Tucson theatre look like bargain matinees. I was practically the only one in our group who didn’t shell out big bucks to be part of an audience that can number in the thousands.

Call it serendipity, but I happened upon some great free entertainment right in the area. Upon entering my hotel room, I saw a phone message blinking from the management. The reigning Miss Universe, Stefania Hernandez of Venezuela, would be signing autographs in the lounge between 10:00 and 11:00 the following morning. I was there by 9:55. Finally about 10:10 Stefania appeared, statuesque in her stilettos, wearing her banner. She is a beautiful girl, with huge eyes and dark, shiny hair graced with a widow’s peak. It later occurred to me that there are many, many beautiful, poised, talented young women in the world. How many, though, are willing to go through all the rigors of numerous beauty pageants to arrive at the top? For that alone, Miss Universe is to be congratulated.

A half hour or so later, our tour leader took us on what he dubbed “Bill’s Excellent Walking Tour of the Strip.” I had been to Vegas once before and had been mesmerized by the dancing fountains in front of the Bellagio Hotel, the Luxor pyramid and replicas of The Eiffel Tower, Arch of Triumph and huge hot air balloon (the French Mongolfier brothers launched the first manned hot air balloon) outside the Paris Las Vegas. But instinct told me there was much more to discover that wouldn’t cost me a dime. In that, I was not disappointed.

One of these discoveries was the magnificent glass sculpture of multicolored flowers hanging from the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel’s lobby. It was created by the artist Dale Chihuly, with over 2000 hand blown glass elements. Although Chihuly lost an eye in a car accident during the 70s, his fertile imagination knows no bounds.. I stood under the sculpture in silence, awed by Chihuly’s creative spirit and determination to persevere.

Our walking tour wound up at The Venetian, an Italian themed hotel. I was impressed by the statues in white robes , but then, Oh Mio Dio, I saw their eyes moving! Indeed, these statues were very much alive. I had a lot of fun asking my favorite “statue” a few questions which he answered by blinking his eyes.

We just happened to walk onto a re-creation of Saint Mark’s Square during a free performance. A charming singer with an operatic soprano voice, jugglers and an acrobat all had their parts to play in this Venetian carnival. I was so captivated that long after the other members of my tour group had left, I hung out at the hotel to see the next show. It was even longer than the first, with the addition of musicians and other singers. The whole ensemble had such a contagious energy that I started clapping and even added my own nondescript singing voice to the chorus of a familiar number. I left the Venetian with an Italian song in my heart.

Friday, we all departed for home. I took a later flight than most in the group, as a visit to the Liberace Museum was a must see. I had never forgotten Liberace’s dazzling smile, sweet personality and great technical ability. There was a short taxi ride involved, but tickets were modestly priced. Two for One coupons can be obtained in many venues, including hotels and racks throughout the city. The Museum was one of the highlights of my trip. Liberace’s flamboyant costumes (weighing up to 200+ pounds) were all there, along with his collection of flashy cars, even his shoes. A video was available to watch for $4.00 that featured footage of the star, known as Mr. Showmanship, in interviews. I loved that video and will never forget Liberace’s words: “I would like to be remembered as a kind and gentle soul, and as someone who made the world a little better place to live in because I had lived in it.” In that desire, he succeeded on a scale as grand as himself.

Waiting for my flight home at the Vegas airport, I felt pleased to have gotten so much for so little. But suddenly from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the nearby slots. Lured over and sucked in, I blew almost all the money I had saved on theatre tickets…and lost. Well, that’s Vegas for you!

Anyone who works in the travel world will tell you that while the pleasures of seeing the world trump almost anything that tries to stand in the way of another lifetime experience, there are some crazy things happening out there. Heck, there are some crazy people doing and sayingcrazy things out there.

`

`

`

`