the uttermost city in the world

Hi!
A bit of a gap since last posting. So Ushuaia.... first point to make was that the descent into Ushuaia was spectacular. A ring of snowy mountains and the beagle channel. Welcome to the Land of Fire!
first impressions of the 'city' were that,  contrary to lonely planet's observations, it still retained an element of the appearance of a 'frontier town'. However, when explored then you do have to concur with the LP view. Oil and minerals, not to mention the setting-off point for Antartica trips have brought some wealth to the area and couture and fur canbe found. The upshot here is that it is expensive!
The accommodation received warm words from all the guide books - it was nice enough- the owners chatted and did all the things claimed of them but perhaps they were trying too har, and breakfast would not have broken the bank........ Anyway.....

view from end of street of B&B

Despite plans, we spent a lot of the time in the city just eating and drinking and taking it easy. Except for one day when we went to see the penguins!!! (Carmel - eat your heart out- puffins are so last year!) There are two types on the island we visited, Magellans, which are the dominant species and gentoo. We saw both but the latter were grouped together at a distance so were difficult to photograph. Not so the former, who were scattered everywhere. It was the nesting season so many of them were crouched in shallow burrows. However, we were able to, carefully, walk among them - quite a fantastic experience (understatement)

penguin gallery

Not a penguin but a mean-looking Skua hoping to nick a penguin egg

An 'Alex' penguin hears that Dario has stepped down as manager

 

Oh no! Another boat full of tourists coming!

I'm off!

I'm sure no-one can see me here

So lots of penguins - 33,000 to be exact but some have asked to remain anonymous and so I haven't put their photos here.

having 'done' the penguins and not bothered to go trekking in the national park, it was time to leave Ushuaia and Argentina...........

Don't cry for me Argentina

The boat across the Magellan Strat arrives in Chile

on to Puerto Natales and mountains, lakes and..glaciers!!!