One more local flight on our Argentinian journey brought us as far south as we could go, to the city of Ushuaia, called the End of the World, Fin del Mundo, in the maze of waterways and mountainous islands that compose Tierra del Fuego. The city of colorful buildings hugs the port, with the dramatic Andes peaks as a backdrop. The cheesy king crab dish was so plump and flavorful in a local restaurant that we ordered it both nights we were there.
Ushuaia
Ships leave from this southernmost port for Antarctica, but that was not our destination on this trip. We booked a six-hour boat ride down the Beagle Channel for the next day. The tour operator told us to come at 3pm. It seemed to me awfully late in the day to be starting out. Then we realized the sun wouldn’t set until after 10pm!
The usually turbulent waters were pretty calm that day, but the wind was brisk. We stopped to view tiny islands of sea lions and cormorants, and to laugh at the humorous antics of inquisitive penguins on Isla Martillo. The Magellanic penguins are plentiful on the Patagonian and Tierra del Fuego coasts, noted by their striped markings.
sunset
More to come…
Argentina: Vivid Buenos Aires, Patagonia on horseback, Ushuaia: End of the World, Buenos Aires holiday (with Recoleta, San Telmo)
Please do not download or reproduce images from this site. ©
Your comments are welcome!
Popular posts/stats/categories
Email me at: Ruth@RuthRosenfeld.com
Ruth Rosenfeld 
Wow – what an adventure! Do you get seasick in the open water like that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do sometimes, but usually plan ahead and bring Dramamine or something like that. Especially where there are rough waters.
LikeLike
You’re a true adventurer. I hope you’re having lots of fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a story from 2005. I thought it was worth sharing this trip again. It was a wonderful journey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what an epic adventure. The scenery surrounding Ushuaia and the southern tip of Argentina is stunning. You just gotta love places where mountains give way to grassy hills, bright blue seas, and peaks of all colours in every direction. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Aiva. The landscape is amazing, so dramatic, and the light is always changing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what an incredible trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for coming along!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We didn’t make it as far south as Ushuaia. A boat ride through Beagle Channel looks like a beautiful trip. I love the penguins, of course, and the sunset picture is beautiful. Maggie
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a goal of mine to visit the penguins. I have done so in both hemispheres! Thanks for your comment, Maggie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful mountain scenes. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. 😊
LikeLike
I always enjoy your photo journals. You visit places most people don’t get to see, and your pictures are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Barbara. I enjoy sharing these stories and photos.
LikeLike
Wow! Such spectacular photographs. The scenery is amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! It’s a place of uncommon sights. My camera got a workout!
LikeLike
What an absolutely incredible place Ruth – it’s beautiful and those penguins are just the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an amazing landscape down there. I kept reminding myself where we were on the map of the world! The highlight, of course, was visiting the penguins in their natural habitat.
LikeLike
Wonderful, this really takes me back! Although I don’t remember seeing much street art when we were there (2003). I love the photos from your Beagle Channel cruise, the timing was just right with that lovely sunset 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah! I suspect the late afternoon sail time is chosen for the sunset return.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Taking a boat ride down the Beagle Channel sounds like such a fun adventure and a great way to see so many penguins!! Your pictures are gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! The penguins were definitely a highlight of this part of the trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another incredible experience and a wonderful post from your Argentinian explorations, Ruth. Ushuaia is so colourful, remote and has such a dramatic setting that the romantic in me wants to simply pack my bags and move there. If not permanently, then certainly for a while. Lovely photos from the cruise, I love all the wildlife sightings and the sunset.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was summer in the southern hemisphere. I imagine it’s quite snowed-in and rugged in the winter. Might not be so romantic to live there year-round! Thanks for reading and your comment, Leighton.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Ruth. You’ve been so many places. Did you have a twinge of regret at not going on an Antarctic cruise, or did you laugh all the way to the bank since they’re so expensive? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t been interested in Antarctica. It’s not someplace where people live, and I’m most interested in going places and exploring the culture. But I think my son was disappointed. Maybe he’ll get there someday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
To be honest, it’s not someplace I’m all that interested in either. The husband is, so maybe I’ll get there one day after all, but like you, I prefer history and culture and food and such.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh this was wonderful – gorgeous photos and soooo many memories. We also did the Beagle Channel boat trip (on a very rough day 😳) and saw much wildlife.
Your comment about the meal reminded me of being in Cappadocia and us having the same meal (tajine – lamb or chicken) every night for 3 or 4 nights – close to our accommodation, inexpensive, and delicious. Why would we go elsewhere?
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve finally met (virtually) someone else who went down the Beagle Channel! I’m with you on food – if I have an excellent meal somewhere I’ll do it again if I’m still there. Tajine is definitely one of those memorable dishes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t expect the mountainous backdrop so far south in the world. Is this the Andes range? Also, I checked the distance from my house to Ushuaia, to the furthest I’d been in any direction in my lifetime. Somewhat unexpectedly, Ushuaia is further from Colorado (almost 8,000 miles) than is St. Petersburg, Russia (5,100 miles). South America is a big continent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s the Andes, a very long dramatic range. Interesting observation – I had to check the farthest I’ve been. It’s 9,300 mi from Colorado to Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful destination. The cruise looks worthwhile for the wildlife alone Ruth. Thanks for sharing. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your visit, Allan. We took the cruise to see the penguins!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Penguins!!! I first saw penguins at Edinburgh Zoo and that is all I wanted for Christmas that day. How wonderful to see them in their environment at the end of the world. The light is so dramatic – cold and yet full of clarity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is wonderful to see wildlife in their natural environment. One has to go pretty far to see penguins! Thanks for your comment on the light. It is different sometimes in extreme places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not been far enough south to see penguins but would love to. 🐧🐧
LikeLiked by 1 person