Antarctica Day 14: Disembarkation, and return to USA (hopefully)

The alarm went off WAY too early. but our checked bags were ready to go and we just had to shower, and head up to breakfast, and then pack our carry on bags. Breakfast was good, the usual. Then we packed up our bags, ready for the disembarkation at 815. 815 came and went and it wasnt unil about 845 that they were ready for us to walk off the boat. Most of us, were required to go on a bus tour through the national park of Ushuaia before the charter flight departed at 130.

We learned that the ship would have to be sent up to montevideo (A 4-5 day ride) to be drydocked and inspected. which means the tour that was supposed to depart today has been canceled. The ocean Endeaver is an ice-breaker ship from Nassau which has a double houl BELOW the water level, since whatever iceberg hit us caused damage ABOVE the water line, it was not as reinforced.

Anyway, we all boarded a bus, and drove off the deck. We wanted to pause to take a picture of the damage but the tour guide would absolutely not allow it. mad that we couldn't get a picture, we really didn't pay attention to the details of ushuaia or the park where we were going. It was also cold and rainy and grey where we were so we were not wanting to go outside the bus. Lets be honest, we were ready to just go home.

At 12 we were dropped off the airport, went through security and waiting for our charter flight. We landed, and everyeone said their goodbyes. Matt and I looked at the loads for delta (915 pm departure) and United (10pm departure). Both looked open, but delta is known to weight restrict. United had like 40 seats, and we were #30 on the list. which is also nerve wrecking. So we decided to try the delta, and use the united as a back up. Well, its a good thing we were in contact with Tom and Dennis, Tom is a united pilot who was able to find out that they will not weight restrict on the 787's.
Apparently road construction outside of the airport made commuting to the airport impossible. The line for revenue passengers on delta was steady, with the last revenue passenger not dropping off bags until 20 minutes prior to departure. Getting nervous about the weight restriction and the fact that we were #13 on the delta list with 26 seats open, we had decided if we didn't hear by 20 minutes prior we would jsut go to the united flight. (gives us 5 minutes to walk there 20 minutes to get through security and then get to the gate). Just as we were about to turn, the gate agent came over and tells ALL of the standby passengers, Sorry it is weight restricted. Frustrated for everyone else that they couldn't get a single standby passenger on board, we bolted for the united flight, which had started to clear some of the higher up standby passengers.

Luckily in security, a woman was walking through asking for united, and we got to cut the security line. then we made it out of customs and to the united gate after weaving our way through the duty free shops. Got to the gate to great tom and dennis, who were patiently waiting to see if they would get the first class seats that may be available. Said our goodbyes. And Tom wanted to make sure we wouldn't have any issues getting on, and if we did to text him and he would talk to the captain and get us on board. Thank goodness because the loads later in the week did not look nearly as good. Sure enough, we got seats, economy comfort. and we managed to sit next to each other after the pilot with the 12 year old daughter also on the antarctica cruise were upgraded to first. Then we rode the plane to houston. About an hour before landing, the captain came on the intercom saying that just after we left buenos aires, the computer malfunctioned setting a slower than usual max speed the plane could fly, still safe, they decided to continue to houston instead of turning around to buenos aires. we would be arriving two hours later. Doesnt matter to us, as we had no idea what time our flights were even going to be.

Made it through customs, decided to try for the 1045 delta flight home. Went to chili's for brunch. and then realized matt left his ipad on the buenos aires flight. talked to a couple gate agents, but have come to the realization it is probably gone. Got seats on the delta flight home. and we are ready to just be home. But boy, what an adventure it was, and to be honest, the cruise was spectacular, for an expedition, the cruise staff were spectacular and the food was definitely better than expected. I would want to go back! Even with the rocking of the drake. Now, we just have alot of laundry and a lot of pictures to sort through. And we need to start brainstorming some more travel goals, but maybe well get our student loans paid off first :-)