Michele Travels

We arrived in Ushuaia on the morning of March 18th, a day ahead of schedule. The predicted winds and strong storms never materialized. We had two days of beautiful weather in which to explore the Tierra del Fuego.

You would never guess it, but this town has a population of 82,000 people. Obviously, tourism is a major industry. However, there is a rich cultural heritage closely tied to the natural beauty and native citizens.

We had a few activities we wanted to check off our list of ‘Must Do’ while in Ushuaia. First was to dine on the famous Argentinian Beef. We hit a 4+ star steakhouse for lunch our first day. I have to say that we were both underwhelmed. Which was really kind of a bummer.

We couldn’t finish the platter pictured above. We found out, much to our disappointment, that they don’t really season their meats. There might have been salt and pepper added while being grilled. The platter was served dry – no BBQ sauce, no dry rub – nada. The hospitality, however, was second to none. We encountered really lovely folks here. Their season was winding down, but all were welcoming and kind.

We spent both days exploring the Tierra del Fuego National Park. As with all the places we have visited on this cruise… pictures don’t do it justice. The scenery was stunning – even giving us a spectacular rainbow. The park is very accessible with well marked trails and boardwalks. The terrain is similar to what Alaska seemed to me. A lot of lichen in the forests that were so close to the shoreline.

We have now left Ushuaia and have entered the Chilean fjords. Indescribable beauty continues to astound us. We are loving the expedition itinerary of the ship. Things change almost hourly. But, the Captain and crew do their absolute best. They ensure we get to see and do as much as humanly possible while maintaining strict safety standards.

Our next stop is Garibaldi Glacier… see you later!