DFR Travels: Sunday, January 29. The end of the world...

Sun, rain, wind, cloud. A typical day here.

We are in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, or so say the Argentinians. It is however on an island so Chileans don't accept that as a fact.

We were on a tour that takes us on the route of an old logging train that ran prisoners to and from their prison for decades, only ending in the 1940s. It started as a good idea, as a method to populate this God-forsaken bit of land where the average summer temperature is 10C, [50F]. It however ended up as a dumping spot for the worst of the criminals in Argentina and turned into a hell-on-earth before it was closed.

Everything is rather expensive in this city/town, because everything has to be imported. I don't believe they could grow any produce if they wanted to. A jumping off spot for Antarctica seems to be one of the major industries here, and domestic tourism. The country seems to be a bit more developed than Chile but what do I know after only a few hours here?

The train ride was interesting, but quite cramped inside, that makes it cozy for sure. We stopped once for a photo opportunity. We then boarded a coach and toured a bit dropping us four off in town where we prowled the streets until noon when we settled into a restaurant for an all-you-can-eat Sunday feast of lamb, beef, chicken and assorted veggies. The beer came in one litre bottles, two of which succumbed to their expected fate. Our dates stuck to juice.

The best part however was there was free wi-fi. And boy, was it fast!!! Gail and I got caught up on phones and my iPad. [I just happened to have it in my small pack!]

By the way the other day I made note of an excursion from the ship to fly to and land on Antarctica. For your information the weather was socked in and they could not go so they ended up going on a rather bumpy long coach ride. Such is life.

We then made our way to the ship and whiled the day away. We sail a bit late today for some reason. When we do sail, we head down south to the really cold weather and have five full days on the ship before touching land again in the Falklands. Hopefully I will have some good iceberg photos to share with you.

I fully expect to be without internet during most of the time we are heading to, in, and coming out of Antarctica. Next day ashore is in the Falklands, Saturday, February 4.

Argentina calls the Falklands The Malvinas. See the last photo below.

The city of Ushuaia from our balcony this morning.

These little tiny gauge locos are oil fired, generating steam.

Three rich Gringos getting ready to board.

At the bottom of the Tierra De Fuego. Those are islands south in the background.

Another view of Ushuaia.

I just could not resist taking this picture... Spring is coming soon at home.

Now that is a BBQ! That is a butterflied lamb on the rack. Delicious.

A Patagonian sized beer as well.

There is no Cruise ship dock, it is a working pier and most ships are Antarctic related. That container ship next to us can only be bringing in stuff from elsewhere, there is certainly nothing going out of here except tourists.