Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ushuaia the boarding our new home for 19 days










4.15 wake up call today and a super quick breakfast before taxi to the airport. We had to be there between 2-3 hours before the flight left, so a long wait awaited. What was a little confusing was the playing of Christmas songs in the terminal. We boarded, I got annoyed at the size of some peoples carry on luggage…as usual. We were sat with an American lady who asked if we are related, we said yes, most people think we are sisters. She then sat in the middle seat with Ali and I either side. We thought this was a little odd. About 30 minutes later she asked why we weren’t sat together, we were meant to be but too British to question. 

While waiting for the plane we were sussing out the other travellers and as predicted, we are one of the youngest, most are retired. We arrived in Ushuaia with a slight temperature difference, 34 degrees yesterday to 5 today. We were booked on to a National Park tour. Interesting facts such as 50 beavers were introduced for fur, but without predators, they are now over 100,000 and destroying the forest which goes all the way up to the Andes. The forest is filled with Beech. We had our packed lunch by a lake, went to the end of the road and walked to a lovely viewpoint where we saw an Upland Goose, I took travelling Brownies picture, then back on the bus to the point. 

I really wanted to ask the guide about Top Gear but alas I didn’t have the guts. I did however look out for their cars on the side of the road, didn’t find them. 

What I found fascinating was the tree line, where tree life stops because the average temperature above that is below zero. We then heard about other species brought in, which are now destroying the environment, such as reindeer, masked rat and grey fox. Onto the port and we boarded MS Fram and found out cabin. We have been told that it was small but we think it’s gorgeous, lovely picture window. I’m currently writing this as we sail out through the Beagle Channel, named after the boat that Darwin was on when he went to Galapagos. 

In about an hours time we will enter the Drake Passage and find out where it’s a Drake Shake or a Drake Lake for this trip. Fingers crossed.

No comments: