Awake about 4am, we have the pilot and are underway down the
Beagle Channel, saw some lights on the land, then back to sleep. Up at 5.15,
dressed and up to the flybridge to watch the entry to Ushuaia. There was some
lovely sunrise colours on mountain topped with snow. Quite blowy till get into
the harbour. Lovely town – hemmed in by the hills but growing heaps to due
tourism and fishing.
We pulled in in front of a huge cargo ship. Off to final
breaky, bags out prior to that. Then called to bar to receive passport – ready
to disembark about 8.00. Got pulled over in customs check, the long ‘snake
like’ powerboard had them puzzled on the x-ray.
We decided to walk UP to our hotel, not a long way, but it
was reasonably steep. Checked in and left our luggage, did a little wi-fi check
in. Then walked back into town centre. Crashed into a few others, we had a
magnificent hot chocolate at Ramos Generales (our new favourite coffee shop)
Took a taxi up to the chairlift behind the town and walked a
little beyond that, to get some magnificent view of Ushuaia, plus the most
amazing intriguing mosses and flowers that survive beyond the snowline. Also
wonderfully tortured trees – they look like some sort of birch, but in fact are
various varieties of Nothofagus, then a quick bite for lunch before another
taxi to the El Tren del Fin del Mundo (Train to the end of the world) at Tierra
del Fuego National Parque.
It was an easy little train ride, on the line built by
prisoners in the 1800’s. The line followed the fast flowing Pipo river.
Also visited Ushuaia Golf Club, “The Southest” golf club in
the world (their word, not ours)
We are of course learning another currency which is a bit of
fun (now in Argentina)
Back to the hotel to check in fully and have a shower before
dinner (Final one) with VTAE crew – down to 15 now, as some of our number have
already disappeared to other adventures. We had a fantastic Parilla (BBQ plate)
I had Asada especial, Mary the lamb and we shared BBQ vegetables – FINALLY we
made a good choice for tea. Nice wine too – A Saint Julia Viognier. Wandered
around the shops till about 10.30, then home and I blogged till way too late,
but nice to get something up.
Also great to have Aurora Trip Trekker uploading to
Facebook, while we were gone.
Fabulously warm in Ushuaia – even a bit hot. The streets of
Ushuaia are rough and unloved – footpaths are a bit hazardous – rough, unpaved
or cracked and breaking up in many places, home is uphill which is a bit of a
slog at the end of the day.
Stayed up pretty late doing 4 days blog. OMG am I ever going
to catch up?
BTW – Bronwyn announced via SMS today that she and Mike and
Sam and Kate are engaged.
Didn’t ask what the plans were, still a sense of amazement.
Now have instant niece, nephew and brother in law to add to the family, very
exciting.
Sunrising on the peaks as we enter Ushuaia.
Getting the ropes ready for tying up at Ushuaia
One of the peaks coming up the Beagle Channel
The windswept trees.
More sun on the peaks.
The township of Ushuaia.
Last hours/minutes on the Polar Pioneer, Mary and I with Ushuaia in the background.
A big container ship being loaded, our 'boat park' was in front of that.
Throw those ropes, tie us down. The crew are hard at work.
All tied up and we are on our way...very sad to end this part of the journey.
There is a lot of 'angst' re: Falkland Islands, and the locals still believe they are under illegal occupation by the United Kingdom.
A ship that has been grounded, left here as a memorial to shipwrecks. Tide was out here, later in the day you couldn't see the bit of land its leaning on.
The chairlift pulley, doing its thing.
Some little creek of icemelt from the glacier/snow/ice.
Yep, it's a plain old dandelion, but I liked the shot.
Some of the mosses and trees.
Diamond like water droplets in a thorny plant.
Another flower.
Some tiny flowers growing amongst the mosses.
That's our little Polar Pioneer, front left, with a rather larger Cruise Liner pulled up opposite and another smaller one in front. Ushuaia was overun with people.
Moss on a cool looking rock.
More moss.
a red flower.
Train to end of the world.
Here's the train and river is ran alongside.
"The Southest Golf Club" in the world.
An Asado (BBQ) cooking whole pieces of animal over hot coals.
Out for our Final VTAE dinner at Moustache...lovely meal.
...and the other end of the table.
Me with our feast of meat and vegies.
Working on the bill with the waiter...he was rubbing his hands with glee. Rob did a good job of looking after these things for the group.
Ushuaia by night - view from Hotel Aldino breaky area/bar.
Panorama of entry to Ushuaia.
A little penguino we found after hopping off the ship.
That was my meat for tea, plenty of beef in that lot...
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