Tour Overview

So let face it, John and I aren't exactly, rough and tough travelers. More of the 1st class, fine dining and reasonable comfort group. Preparing for this trip turned out to be a serious, yes, no, yes, no, no way, WAY!

Background: Leticia's personal goals now include seeing every total solar eclipse on the face of the planet till the day she dies. If she is too sick or poor to see the next total solar eclipse.. it'll be time to die. So, she works to stay healthy, and make enough money to see the next eclipse. There is a map in the exercise room with all the Total Solar eclipses till 2050 plotted - I'll be ninety in 2050.

John's personal goals, follow and worship Leticia.

May 2001 18 months before the event. The only tour planned .. the 28 day ship voyage on the Kaptain Khlebnikov. For more on this tour follow this link to Klipsi, a man I admire. Klipsi's goal, to live broadcast the event. The tour was priced at $33,000US for a Corner Suite sharing with someone else. I sent my 10% deposit in faith that 1) I could take the time out of my life, 2) acquire the funds necessary, 3) find someone compatible to share the cabin. Did you know that even though I don't go to church often, I pray a LOT!! It started coming together, the travel agent introduced me to Joan Rich, a fellow chaser.

December 2002, after witnessing the wonderful eclipse in the Australian outback. I received an email from my cabin mate, Joan. She told me of a flight over Antarctica THROUGH the eclipse planned for the Nov, 2003 event. Within 2 days, I booked both John and I. The results, two first class seats, for 1/2 the price of the ship voyage AND John gets to go.

All together four expeditions set out for the eclipse. At the bottom of this page I've include links to the other expeditions pages. They make great reading.

So from then on, it's just planning. Since we traveled around Australia the previous year, we decided to include New Zealand in this trip. Our itinerary

Travel from Dallas to Melbourne Nov 18 - Nov 20

In Melbourne from Nov 20 until Nov 23

Antarctica Flight Nov 24

Melbourne Nov 25 through Nov 26

Auckland New Zealand Nov 27 - Dec 1

Train from Auckland to Christ Church Dec 1 and 2nd

Christ Church, New Zealand - Dec 2 - Dec 8

Arrive back in Dallas, Dec 8.

Eclipse Day...

The other expeditions:

By Sea - Quark Expedition aboard the Russian Icebreaker, the Kaptain Khlebnikov travelogue by Klipsi .. click here

Astronomical Tours Plane and Landfall at the Novolazarevskaya Science Station with travelogue by Fred Bruenjes

Travel Quest International Lan Chile Flight sponsored by Sky and Telescope