Ushuaia, Argentina 2/26/20

We docked in this lovely city of approximately 80,000 just before 8 am this morning and our excursion, Train Ride to the End of the World, departed about 8:30. Fortunately for us breakfast was served early enough for all to go away with full bellies as it was some 7 hours later that we actually returned to the ship with no food available in the meantime. Not like any of us were going to fade away from hunger, but nice to have my fruit plate, orange juice, water and omelet before heading off for a busy, delightful day. Our trip was supposed to start with the train ride then take a catamaran to Tierra Del Fuego National Park to view the scenery, see the sea life and the southernmost lighthouse on Earth. But Mother Nature had her own plan. The waters were clam this morning, sky mostly sunny and warm (Everything is indeed relative.) but the forecast was for strong winds in the afternoon. So they wisely reversed the order by taking to the Beagle Channel first. Had a guide who most likely knew all kinds of interesting facts about said wildlife, the area, and who knows what else. Problem was his version of English and mine were not at all compatible. Have no clue what the nice young man was saying. I was able to discern that the stone island we circled several times that appeared to be covered in penguins with a single large sea loin in the center of them did not have a single penguin on it. Nor did I see a penguin all day. These creatures look for all the world like a penguin except for one thing – they fly. They flew all over the place. Dove into the water for food like a sea gull. Apparently our guide did not have as much trouble with my version of English as I did his because he answered me when I asked him to tell me again what these creatures were called. Perhaps I should say, he responded not answered as I still have no idea what they are. Plentiful, well fed, beyond that I cannot say. Will try to get back to you on that.

From the island filled with penguin look alikes, we continued on to the world’s southernmost lighthouse. Even Gonzalo can’t argue with that. Couldn’t actually land at the lighthouse, but for $35 you could have your picture taken holding a sign that said ,”# End of the World”. We chose not to do so. Saw many more seals and other creatures but no whales. Did catch sight of one off the deck a day or so ago, but none today. We continued our catamaran trip to a small, rickety wooden dock that looked as if it could have been there for centuries where we all carefully went ashore and boarded buses to take us to the train “station”.

The train is a story of its own. Seems Argentina wanted to make sure that upstart Chile or some other country did not try to lay claim to this area so the best way to do that was to populate it. Like many other countries, they decided to kill two birds with one stone. They turned it into a penal colony. Made the prisoners build their own prison, thank you very much. This prison being so remote even if the prisoners escaped, there was no where for them to go. They could serve their time, or die in the forest outside the prison. The next problem was how to get them to this remote island. Enter the train. Right the “Train to the End of the World” was originally to transport the convicts to their new abode and dare I say, home again when their sentence was up. Anyway the train was a steam locomotive. Tiny, quaint, delightful. For us anyway if not its original passengers.

Once back in town, we chose to get off the bus in town to wonder the streets a little. Tommy was in search of three or four items, but I had another mission. Dr. Sherry had mentioned in her lecture on Ushuaia that several chocolate shops could be found on St. Martin Street. Find them I did. Not as good as that chocolate factory we visited with Hector wherever that was but good. Tommy had a beer at Van Gogh and then we headed back to the ship. Just about the time we made it to the end of our pier, the weather prediction proved correct. Gale force winds came down on us like you would not believe! We held on to each other for dear life. My phone said we only walked two miles today. Horsefeathers! That was the equivalent of at least twice that just on the dock. Okay, you had to see this coming, we were both winded by the time we reached the gangplank – part of which had been blown away by the wind. The ship was scheduled to leave at 6 pm. We are still safely docked at 10:40 waiting on the wind to subside.

Another fabulous day. Love you all. Wish you were here with us.