Ushuaia….the End of the World!

We arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina this morning after two days at sea and cruising the Beagle Channel. The first day was beautiful, clear and sunny. Only 12c but nevertheless warm enough to sit on the balcony in the sun for a while. The second day was really windy and rough.

Today we took a drive to the End of the World which is in the Terra del Fuego National Park. It is the southernmost place that can be reached by road, the Pan American Highway which begins in Alaska and runs approximately 12,000 miles up to Terra del Fuego. It’s summer here, only 14c with showers but 10c is the average so the locals were quite happy. They have 15 hours daylight in the summer and only 5 in the winter so a lot of people take vitamin D apparently. Also 70% of the population are male!

We are ready to depart here and will continue on to the Southern Sea to circumnavigate the islands at Cape Horn. The Commodore has warned that it is likely to be very windy and rough and to batten down the hatches! We were advised a couple of days ago that the weather was going to be bad and told that we couldn’t get to Cape Horn but here we go!
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Buenos Aires

We’ve spent the last two days in Buenos Aires. Sunny but really hot at 38c. We had a tour of the City on the first day. Went to see Eva Peron’s tomb in Recoleta cemetery, Caminito in the Boca region which is typically old Argentine, the commemorative Independence Obelisk and San Martin mausoleum in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Not too many highlights but good to see the City.

On the second day we went into the town on our own on the shuttle bus. Had a walk around the shops and the park before stopping for a beer. The tables outside were nice and shady with a mist of cool water sprayed intermittently. Just like being in the hot house at Kew. We felt perfectly safe and despite the Falklands issue everyone seemed very friendly!
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Montevideo

We arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay this morning. A beautiful, hot and sunny day. We went for a walk first (Terry bought a couple of t.shirts of course!). Then this afternoon we had a very enjoyable city tour. Not really a lot to see (football stadium, parliamentary building, Independence Square) but good to get out and about in the sunshine. Tonight we cross the River Plate into Argentina. Currently watching the Chelsea game before dinner but we are so bad it’s enough to put you off your food!!
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Rio

Hello from sunny Rio de Janeiro!

Here for two relaxing days. On the first day we walked along Copacabana Beach stopping for a Brahma beer and coconut water. Then caught a taxi and the funicular railway to the top of Corcovado. A really beautiful day giving wonderful views of Sugar Loaf mountain and the beaches. The second day was less sunny but very humid. Just walked along the beach for a while (surprisingly stopped for lunch with beers and caipirinhas!). We now have a couple of days at sea before arriving in Uruguay.
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Búzios!

Apparently favoured by Brigitte Bardot – hence statue!

Needed a tender to get to shore. Lovely and calm for a change. Did a short tour. Quite a pretty little place and at least it’s lovely and warm although the sun has disappeared yet again. Stopped in a restaurant for lunch, beers and caipirinhas before heading back. Feels safer here. Quite a lot of problems in Salvador apparently. We know of a stolen necklace, handbag and watch (and a broken arm) but I’m sure that’s not all.

Rio tomorrow.
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