My last day in Ushuaia

Today was my last day in Ushuaia. My flight back to Buenos Aires is tomorrow morning. I know I still have a little bit of my vacation left, but today sort of put the cap on my entire Antarctica experience. 

Even though the ship is gone, I can still see the port, and the town really is at the bottom of the world.  When I leave tomorrow I'm going back to a big city and closer and closer to Minnesota.

But I still managed to make the best of today! I'm sort of losing my voice, so I slept in and had breakfast at the hotel. I walked around town this morning and noticed that there was some sort of event going on at the government office across the street. While I had nothing to do with that, there were lots of people everwhere and police regulating traffic. I wanted to go to the bank to get some more money but there were lines at all of them. I don't know if it was a Monday morning thing or not but I eventually walked past one that I could see into a little better and the people luckily  weren't waiting for the atm.

After I had some money, I took a cab to the Martial Glacier. There's a chair lift you can take only about halfway and then the rest was a steep one hour climb. It was a little windy, but the views were worth it. I was able to see across the Beagle Channel to Chile's Isla Navarino. The hike back down took fairly long too. There are parts of the trail that you have to cross water and with it being so steep - I had to take it slower.

Back in town I was able to do some shopping and also then met Mauricio at his home for dinner.  He made a meal that was a family recipe that was sort of like a casserole.  It had onions and peppers and pumpkin and spices. It was really good. It's been so great spending time with him these last few days when I've been by myself. It helped me feel like my Antarctica trip lasted a little bit longer.

I have an early flight tomorrow so I'm headed to bed!

Enjoying Ushuaia

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions.

It was VERY hard for me to get off our ship. I wanted to stow away and go back to Antarctica.

It was too early for any of us to check in at our accommodations so we went and grabbed a coffee in town. It was like we were from Ushuaia - we knew everyone walking past us.  We saw our fellow passengers and the staff.

Those of us that were staying another night met up again at The Dublin Pub for a few St. Patrick's Day drinks and even one of our expedition leaders, Mauricio, joined us.

Last night and again this morning I had to say goodbye to the last of my new friends. I made my plans to stay in Ushuaia a little longer so I could do a few things around here, but I was a little sad to be on my own again.  I think coming alone was easier because now that I had such a great time with these people, I know what fun company I'm missing.

Today I had a tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park. This is the southernmost National Park in the world that only just became a national park in 1960.

I entered the park on the End of the World Train. The railway was originally built as a freight line, to serve the prison of Ushuaia and transport timber along the Pipo River Valley.

The park was beautiful and you really are at the last bit of earth. The road ends and after that you should either turn around or go to Antarctica (which I would recommend of course).

I was feeling pretty sad to be here by myself but I had dinner with Mauricio tonight and it helps make the time more enjoyable.

Crossing the Drake Passage

The Drake Passage is known for it's rough open waters.  It was the part of my trip that I was the most nervous about.

After we left port we had a nice welcome toast with champagne and light snacks.  The crew introduced themselves and most of our expedition leaders are biologists or geologists.

We had a saftey video and training where we had to put on our life jackets and go to our designated meeting place.

At dinner they recommended we take any seasickness medications because we would be hitting open water around midnight.  After dinner they showed the movie Earth, which is a disney movie but it was more like the planet earth series.

I never felt sick overnight but you could really feel the boat moving.  At breakfast though I was struggling. I only grabbed a bowl of cereal which I almost finished before rushing to my room to throw it right back up. 

I think the worst part about it is that everyone keeps saying we are experiencing a "Great Drake" and that it could be much worse.  I really hope that's not the case because I can only imagine how sick I'll be on the way back if it is any worse.

Leaving for Antarctica today!

So today I get on my boat and accomplish my goal to go to every continent before I turn 30.

It doesn't exactly feel real. But I'm so excited.

This morning I woke up and could see that my ship was in the port. I also went back up to the office to get my pre departure voucher that I need along with my passport in order to even get on the port.

I had to check out of my room by 10 am but they were able to store my big pack for the day so I could still do a few things.

I went down along the other side of the port where the half sunk Saint Christopher tugboat lies. In 1953 it went out to help another ship but the Beagle Channel can be a little treacherous and it started to sink.  They got the boat hauled in closer to the port and vertical for just another moment before it started going under again.  Now it remains in the port half under water supposedly as a reminder of how dangerous the waters can be.

In about an hour I'll head down to the port. We have to send our bags through security so they said we could get there a little early and then we start boarding at 4. The boat leaves port at 6pm.

I'll be in touch when I get back!

Ushuaia day 2

I woke up feeling much better today, and I think having a good breakfast at the hotel helped too.

I was hoping to head outside and explore the town but it was pouring out.  I relaxed for a litle bit and caught up on my journaling while I waited for a little break in the rain.

It didn't ever stop completely, but I was able to get out for most of the day.

The town is pretty small and a couple of the main things to do here I have planned for when I get back. So I spent the day walking around town and down by the port.

There was a beautiful rainbow over the water for one of the moments the sun tried to shine through. 

I also made my way to the office for my Antarctica tour.  They were closed for the day but I called the number on my travel documents and made sure everything was all set for tomorrow.

I can't board the boat until 4 pm tomorrow but check out is at 10 am.

I may try and post an update before I get on the boat. I won't be able to send anything while I'm out there because it costs too much but I will keep you all posted when I can.

Ushuaia

The post for today is going to be short because I'm not feeeling well.

I got sick at the hotel back in Buenos Aires. I threw up on the floor of the lobby. Then had to fly for 4 hours to Ushuaia. 

I got checked into my room and tried to go out exploring but gave up when I still didn't feel better.

Took a 3 hour nap and still haven't felt ok enough to do anything.

Hoping I feel better tomorrw.