Braving cold and icy winds, we took a boat ride on the Beagle Channel to see several nearby islands and a lighthouse. They call Ushuaia ¨Fin del Mundo,¨ the End of the World, so some think the lighthouse is the one Jules Verne refers to in his novel The Lighthouse at the End of the World, but that one is even further away on Isla de los Estados. The other islands were breeding grounds and habitats for sea lions and cormorants. We were able to get out on one island, a nature reserve, and take a walk to the top of a hill for some beautiful panoramic vistas from the top, and some information about the local flora along the way.
In the evening, we followed the new tradition of making new friends and nearly pulling an all-nighter when we have to leave early the next morning. In this case it was a travelling couple from Melbourne. We had to catch the bus at 5 am, which we did, barely. Monica, the host of the B&B we were staying in, Las Retamas, got up at that hour to see us off and call the taxi. Our stay in her place was such a pleasure. It was in a quiet spot, but still close to town, and very very cosy. We felt very much at home, and took full advantage of the breakfast spread the first two mornings we were there: homemade breads, pastries, pies…all amazing, served with cereal, yogurt coffee and all the other brekkie standards.
The bus ride to El Calafate was 15 hours to Rio Gallegos, and then on after a bit of a wait to finally arrive at 12:30 am. Thank goodness the hostel was only 2 blocks from the bus terminal!
Patagonia photos
Just looked at all the photos, they are awesome. What is the black and white fish following the boat? One minute you look warm and the next minute you are freezing. What is cooking behind the glass over a fire? What are those things in a tree that look like oranges?
dad
I too want to know what is cooking over the fire? Or maybe I don’t? I love the furry green rocks? Or what are they? I agree with Jim the pictures portray the need for some quick wardrobe changes. ghl
The black and white ¨fish¨is actually a Commerson’s Dolphin. This one was following our ferry across the Magellan Strait! As for the meat, we´re pretty sure it was Patagonian lamb. It a specialty on almost all the parrilla (grill) menus. The orange balls are fungus call Indian Bread. And the furry rocks are actually all plant and were spongy to the touch and very dense. That is how they are able to survive in the harsh enviroment.