Ship to Shore Traveler Blog

More on boots for Antarctica!!!

Ok, so I have a lot to say about boots because I get a lot of questions about them, including people from the NY Yacht Club. The club recommended Neos as the best footwear to take to Antarctica! I beg you, if you have received this recommendation (and believe me, there are some very long-standing expedition companies out there that have also recommended neos – you know who you are…) do your research before you buy. Neos are not suitable for landing in zodiacs. They are not waterproof, they slide on the ice and you have to carry your hiking boots as well as your neos (taking up valuable luggage space) to Antarctica when all you need is some good ole rubber boots. You wear neos over you hiking boots. So what are you supposed to do, take them off when you are ashore, walk around in your hiking boots and then put your penguin guano infested boots back into your neos? Phew I don’t think so…. IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators ) discussed the difficulty of cleaning neos several years ago and how they carry debris from one site to another (V environmentally unfriendly and big “no no” in Antarctica.

So here is the low down on boots. We have researched these boots and offer the three very best choices on my website ShiptoShoreTraveler.com from inexpensive boots that are adequate for the job, to a medium priced boot, to high-end boots that are the best, most fabulous boots for travel to extreme climates (also for people who love comfort and can afford it or have a need for boots after their trip, making the purchase worth while). All these boots have been tested over many years in Antarctica.

Traditional 'Wellie-Style' Boot
Our Wellies are adequate for Zodiac landings. They provide some sole insulation and ride high on the calf, making it easy to hop in and out of Zodiacs without getting wet. If you are going to wear your boots for this trip only, buy these and leave them on the ship for the crew -- they will love you for it.

Zodiac Classic High Boot
This mid-priced boot is designed to perform in all outdoor elements. It is a step above the wellie for comfort and warmth and it has a self-cleaning outsole. Rated to -20º F.

Extreme Weather Boot
This is our warmest, knee-high Antarctic boot (60 degrees F to minus 40 degrees F). The boot will form to virtually any calf girth, is breathable, has a molded foot sole and heaps of features that make it very comfortable. Well worth the extra money, in my opinion.

Year of the Rat or the Rat is back from HK?

I just got back from Hong Kong and was there for the end of Chinese New Year but unfortunately missed the Festival of Lights. So happy year of the rat to you all. I was told it is a #1 year so that must be good for new beginnings. Is this true or did I just make that up?

Why Hong Kong? Well, in my opinion, they still make the best high-performance clothing so I was over there to meet with some of our manufacturers. On the up side I was very encouraged to discover that the workers have been upgraded to nearly a month off for Chinese New Year. The down side of my trip had to do with, of all places, Disneyland. I was very disappointed with Disneyland in Hong Kong (by the way I love the original the best). Bottom line: it is not run by fun, creative people. Plus I put my back out on either Space Mountain or the Tea Cup ride so that may have affected my attitude!.

I stayed at and really enjoyed the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. It just went through a huge renovation and it is a superb hotel. I was told they spend nearly 200 million on the renovation but the official figures say 140 million (but what is 60 million difference when it comes to renovations – any one who has renovated a kitchen will be able to relate to that one).

The food was outstanding too. I loved the exquisite bakery and wonderful Chinese restaurant called Man Wah on the 25th floor. The windows were great. They were clear but non glare with eye-popping views into Victoria harbor, framed with beautiful Chinese redwood. But back to the food... I entertained one of our Argentine shipping line friends and for lunch. I had seasonal greens with steamed fish ginger. The fish was a whole grouper! Also abalone soup and two little lotus buns for dessert. Marks and Spencers was a block away so I popped down there for my chocolate fix!