Last Stop and the Ride Home

I left the last post with one more stop to go, but already knew we were not going to make that landing because of rough seas and therefore safety issues.  We would have landed at this very nice looking Argentinian base, but it didn't look like anyone was home anyway.  Not to worry......we spent a little time packing away kayaks and zodiacs, and enjoyed some beautiful scenery, before setting out for the homeward leg across the dreaded Drake Passage........everything we have heard about the Drake Passage came true........9 meter sea swells, high winds, restricted deck access, hang on tight, we're going in.........

Argentine Base......nobody home


So just to explain.......if you slice up the Antarctic Continent like a pie, there are claims from no fewer than seven countries, with a few overlapping one another.......it's not like anyone is going to war over this or anything as there is a treaty.......The Antarctic Treaty regulates international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. The treaty has now been signed by 48 countries........the treaty set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation and banned military activity on the continent

They store the zodiacs and kayaks up top so it was always entertaining watching the team at work


Last looks at Antarctica




Can't say enough about the staff

Oh yeah, and the FOOD

The lights of Ushuaia in the distance......almost home

The fantastic Expedition Team

We arrived in Ushuaia in the middle of the night, and disembarked after just one more breakfast buffet..........our flight to Buenos Aries was not until noon so there was no rush at all.......seems like a few of us are staying at the same hotel overnight, and Dr. Tom and his son Thomas are in town for the evening also.........we hooked up for a farewell beer.  







The next day we toured our neighbourhood in BA, hit every shop along the way, and tried to remember how to walk on solid ground once again........I swear it was hard to do!  So that brings this one to a close........thanks to all who have followed along, especially everyone who dropped us a line along the way.  Until next time............



Comments

  1. Unknown6 March 2018 at 15:02

    Such an incredible adventure! I admire your sense of adventure, but have - sadly - come to the realization that I could never do a trip like this - maybe portions of it, but not the whole thing in one go. And - given the reality of my motion sickness, I could hardly read about the giant waves, let alone imagine living through them! It must feel quite strange to be back at home - not a penguin in sight (who knew there were so many different types!). Thank you for sharing your stories with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huge6 March 2018 at 16:26

      Great to be back after so long away, but loved every minute of the trip.......we will go back to Chile someday because it is fantastic........South Georgia is a stretch, but the only way to get there is on the ship........Antarctica we might do again but would fly over the Drake Passage before boarding the ship.......I brought a few penguins back in my luggage.......watch for them on the beach this summer

      Delete
  2. Unknown12 March 2018 at 19:53

    Great to see Antarctica Hugh, that new camera is awesome. Makes you really appreciate just how tough those early explorers really were..... Drake, Perry, Shackleton... when you factor in the wilds of the high seas, equipment, food, temp and early primative gear by today's stds. Cos

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another Day, Out to Play, on Chiloe

Image
Our hotel is a very different place, and although it offers all the services you would expect, there are many other things going on here.........we overlook a large shallow bay which empties and fills with the tides each day......it is a popular wetland for many bird species, but we are most interested in the black necked swans........beautiful.  We also discovered there is a boat owned by the hotel......the "Williche"...... which we hope to take a cruise on in the next couple of days......sea kayaks are available for cruising the bay, but most of all this place has a very cool, zen like, vibe........a lot like me.  All the common/dining areas, and all the guest rooms have full view filled windows overlooking the bay. Jutta on the dock of the bay The Williche Mussel and clam farms in the distance Our excursion today was to one of the neighbouring islands and the first step was to catch the ferry in Dalcahue........the ferries run all day long and is...
Read more

The Falkland Islands

Image
Needless to say, Jutta and I have been back for a couple of weeks now, but felt I should finish the blog, for the sake of my own memory, as much as for the many of you who are just sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for these last few pages covering the Antarctic cruise portion of the trip, so here we go. Our route The embarkation process was very well organized except for one late bus.....ours......taking us from the hotel in Ushuaia down to the the port.  We were only a few minutes late however, and as a result, I had the honour of being the last person to board the ship before the gangway was lifted and we were underway.  Saved the best for last.  Our cabin was good sized on one of the two upper decks, had a nice little balcony which came in very handy as the trip progressed, and we were right next door to the bridge, just in case the captain needed to call on me for advice.  The washroom was as small as I thought it would be, and with one look at the ...
Read more

Santiago You Gotta Go

Image
We were sorry to leave the desert we enjoyed so much, but this morning we jumped in the van, and were dropped at Calama airport for our flight to Santiago.  This will be our fifth time passing through the city, but we intend to stay a couple of days this time and do some exploring.  Our flight was a piece of cake, and we now have the bag packing down to a fine art, keeping the main suitcase below 23kg and stuffing the carry-on with all the heavy shit........this of course has resulted in an oversized backpack which I hide until boarding starts.......what a fiasco, but we are making it work.  We are also losing Sam in Santiago......she heads back to Toronto later this evening.......we have had a great trip. Our hotel is centrally located, and we are having a blast in the surrounding neighbourhood.  Vendors/artisans/artists line the street around the corner from the hotel......there are street performers and musicians every afternoon that are quite entertaining...
Read more