MARION

Pack the following items to make your adventure a memorable one. Here are also advice from old team members. (Remember most of these are optional extra for your own comfort)
Ship Sea-sickness pills Remember about the return voyage. Avomine and Stugaron are two familiar ones. Ginger also seems to be effective in some cases.
Ship Prescription medication Are you on chronic medication? Please do remember to pack these, as the dispensaries (at the base or on the ship) will not be able to supply you.
Ship Money Bring money for duty free liquor, snacks and other things at the tuck shop. Remember to leave some money for the trip home (no shops on Marion).
Ship Ship Clothing Closed shoes, trousers/jeans and a collared shirt/golf shirt

to dress neatly for dinner (its required otherwise they won’t serve you).  Enjoy these small, traditional facets of the expedition.
Ship Recreation (if you do not get seasick) Books, music, movies etc.
Ship Warm clothes and gloves The trip down south gets very cold. Buffs are also very useful.
Ship Packing Once on the island, the trommels will not be reached immediately so pack your fieldwork gear in you ship bag.
Toiletries Own towel, all toiletries, LipIce etc.
Alcohol, cold drinks (sodas) and smokes If you run out during the year, no extra supplies could be delivered. So order more than enough. Order a variety of beverages as you start to crave different tastes.

 

On the island there is a soda stream machine with coke and some other flavours, also juices and Oros/Oros-like beverages.
Good polarized sun-glasses Take at least 1 pair. BondiBlu is a good sponsor to pursue. Their products are great and have been used extensively. The UV is high on the island.
Good waterproof gloves Take 2 pairs. Check what you get issued with and plan accordingly.
Fleece beanie You get issued with a woollen balaclava, but not really ideal for the wet Marion days.
Buff or something similar These can keep your head, ears, neck warm and also keep the hair out of your face.
Liner gloves Black Diamond. These are ideal for underneath thicker gloves. Also comfy to work in and dry quickly.
T-shirt Cheap cotton shirts are ideal for over thermals, for a day in the field.
Hobbies Take enough recreational material.
Humidifier The base has no windows.
Cameras Take a good camera if you’re into photography. Batteries do not last in the cold. Speak to the current team and get advice on photographic equipment before spending 3 months’ salary.
PARTIES

Pretty, shiny, funny clothes (costumes) and décor

 It is tradition to have a big party with each team member’s birthday. It is a great idea to make these themed parties, for the team to catch some spirit. Remember about Mid-winter, 40days, 100days, New Years, Christmas, and the Marion tradition – Maid Marion contest. If you want to plan a nice get together take decorations etc. There are things on the island as well (old and used many times before).
Team member birthdays There is a workshop where one can make use of various tools and power tools to make e.g. birthday presents for fellow Islanders. If you are not a handy person, bring a small gift along for each team member.
Communication At the moment you get R100/month telephone calls sponsored by DEA. Find out what the comms policy is and comply. Whatsapp in the bases can work on the wifi network.
Team merchandise Design a team logo and get it printed on hoodies or shirts, or buffs, or beanies, of sweater pants etc. (start with this asap)
Laundry There are automated washing machines and dryers, as well as 2 dry rooms; you do your own laundry. Washing powder is provided by DEA. If you want to use something special take with.
Health Make sure your teeth is in good condition, there is limited dental care available from a medic who done a one week crash course in only dental emergencies. Medical backup is quite good, wide range of antibiotics etc. Just note, the medic is not trained to remove an appendix, you will be treated with antibiotics, or casevaced back to the RSA, help will only arrive within 4-5 days.
Meals There is no chef; each team member will get a change to cook for roughly a team of 20 members a few times. Usually Wednesdays and Saturdays are off nights, so team members cook for themselves on these nights (braai or cook in small groups).
Special cooking ingredients Cooking is a big thing. Each team member will get his/her turn to cook. If you have a special recipe make sure the ingredients are available or take your own.
Food You are supplied with the basics. Bring yourself any unusual/luxury items. There will not be any fresh produce like apples or veggies, all frozen goods or canned products.
Take-over There will be more than 80 people during take over; therefore you will have to share a bedroom, normally with your outgoing team member.
Base clothes and slippers It is very nice to have comfy clothes to wear in base (normal clothes). Sheep wool slippers are ideal for wearing in base. Also remember there is a sauna and Jacuzzi.
Crocs/croc-replicas For sleeping over in the huts, crocks are the best shoes, as you can wear socks with them. Flip flops are also an option.
Thermals No need to buy extra thermals as you get issued with enough First Assent tops and bottoms (when fitting these make sure you do not take them too small).
Trommels/Luggage Best way to pack is: put your clothes in the kit-bags (you are supplied with) and place the rest of you stuff in plastic trommels (See photos). Lock each trommel, try and have the same key for all the trommels. The ideal trammel size is 90 x 40 x 40 (cm, L x W x H).
Packing Clean and spray (Doom) all bags and trammels before you start packing, to make sure no biological material reaches the island. Seal the edges of the trommels with insualtion or duct tape, keeps out any moisture and insects while they’re standing around.
Headlamp The camping type, remember to bring extra batteries.
Bedding You are issued with fitted sheets and pillow cases for base, but if you like to sleep comfy, pack your own duvet (with cover) and sheets. Also a good pillow if you like.
Water bottles Pack for water or juice when walking. A bladder for water (inside you backpack) is also a ‘very nice to have’.
Hard Drive Remember to backup all you memories as the year goes on.

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