Ushuaia, Argentina

 

Sunrise in Ushuaia 

 

Ushuaia - pronounced oo-shoo-aye-ah certainly a tongue twister for most - give it a try. The most southern city in the world - 80, 000 people and began as a missionary outpost. Later became an Argentine naval base, a penal colony and laterly a tourist destination and port of entry for international scientists going into Anarctica. A very picturesque place but a long way from anywhere - it was worth the trip.

Early morning tranquility - a cool 5 deg C

Flat calm water

 

fin del mundo - end of the earth

Dock area viewed from downtown

Downtown street corner pub

 

Painted penguins - Calgary has cows

Falkland Islands & Cape Horn

As we continue our journey into the far south of the Atlantic Ocean we near the Falkland Islands, the seas become more rough and the temperatures continue to fall - it is very chilly out on deck these days. Fleece jackets and other winter wear is being worn by most folks now.
Bad news - the captain has announced that we will not be able to land in Port Stanley as the seas are too rough for a safe transfer into the tender vessels. See you later Falklands.
We sail directly to Cape Horn and hope that the seas calm a little and allow us to go around - otherwise it will be the inside passage.
great news - the captain announces that we will go around. Exciting stuff this southern ocean sailing - not quite Magellan or Darwin but still very exciting.

View at front of ship - the waves are  much bigger than they look

 

 

Heading south to The Horn

Almost there

This is it - straight north is Calgary - eventually - straight south is Antarctica

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Puerto Madryn is quite far down the east coast of Argentina, in the area known as Patagonia. Days are long now with sunset at around 8:30pm - still lots of sunshine but quite chilly. We did layer up for our walk ashore today and were comfortable in the stiff breezes.
Puerto Madryn is a very small and remote town - it has a very large aluminum smelter and not much else other than lots of wildlife - seals, whales and numerous types of sea birds including penguins.

We saw this big fellow, hanging around under the pier, as we walked ashore. We also saw a couple of whales spouting as the ship approached the docking area.

Nice to know there are measures in place to alert for falling off the pier but how long a person might last in the cold water is questionable.

A beautiful beach and oh so quiet - Why? - The water is as cold as the Bow River

5 a side soccer courts along the promenade - got to stay warm

Very nice touch - the front of the swing can be let down and used as a ramp for wheel chair access - nice thought, but how safe?

 

The ship could not have been brought closer

Tango anyone?

 

We continue to head south to the Falkland islands - the ocean is noticeably more rough - the swimming pools have been emptied and extreme caution is required when walking on the promenade  deck.

We are having a great time and will continue to post when we can.

 

Montevideo, Uruguay

Independence Square

Barbecued meat is very popular with the local people - strange having blazing fires in this warm climate but these street cafes are fascinating.

Montevideo is a small city and is an easy walk off the ship. It has narrow streets and very friendly people. We walked for several hours and stopped for a welcome cold beer between taking in the sights.

Street corner - we were out early when it was quiet.

newspaper store

Ed loves bookstores - this is the inside of one fabulous store we found

three generations and the family dog

"street art" at its best

Bike ride anyone?

We are heading further south and the days are getting longer as we travel away from the equator - downside - days are also getting cooler - noticeably!!! Brrr!!  Soon be time for jackets, pants and fleece tops - but only for four days or so.



 



Buenos Aires, Argentina

We spent a long but awesome day in Buenos Airies - it is a large congested city and hot. We jumped on the "Hop on, Hop off" tourist bus to make the trek a little easier on our feet and shorten the travel time.
Above is the Casa Rosada where Eva Peron made her famous speech, to the people of Argentina, from one of the balconies.  Apparently she is still very much loved by some and hated by others.

Images and references to Eva can be seen in many places throughout the city

Eva is buried in her Duarte family mausoleum in the Recoleta cemetery

There are many beautiful parks and shaded areas to relax out of the sun

We took a break in this covered arcade to enjoy a snack and cold water



Open 25 hours?

Not so much room inside!

 

We made it out to the San Telmo area - location of the Boca soccer stadium - many here still worship Diego Maradona even though he was scandalised by drug use in his later life.

 

Many of the buildings and businesses in the San Telmo area are painted in the Boca team colours - fan(atic)s is an appropriate word to describes these lovers of their team.

A quick way to navigate through a congested city is on a motorcycle - there are hundreds of them weaving in and out of traffic.

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

We have enjoyed a two day lay over in Rio and had a wonderful time. This is a city we would both like to revisit when it is a little quieter - Carnaval (carnival) is crazy busy with lots of tourists and Brazilians in the city having a great party time.
The city is located in a very large bay which has numerous islands, beaches and smaller bays within it. The most famous beach is Copacabana. Two miles of white sand  but unfortunately not very clean water.

Sunrise over Rio



Christine bless her heart - bit her lip hard and suppressed her fear of heights to ride the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain - YEAH!!!! She was a bit wobbly at the top and was not only pleased with herself but enjoyed the awesome views as her reward.

Oh dear what have I got myself into?

View from part way up the Sugar Loaf



The following day we rode in a narrow gauge electric train up to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Fortunately this rock is covered in vegetation and there is no sensation of height from in the train carriage. More awesome views were enjoyed.

The little train

This statue is 40 meters tall - Christ the Redeemer

Monkeys came to entertain the tourists

As  evening approaches the streets begin to fill with people and the Carnaval floats are marshaled ready for the Samba competitions - wild does not describe this event.

Can someone do a quick head count before the fire marshals start to worry

Ready for Carnaval

A view of Sugar Loaf (foreground) and Christ the Redeemer (back far left)



It may be a couple of days before you hear from us again - we are now on our way to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then Montevideo, Uruguay. The days are getting longer now as we travel south and also will soon become cooler. Jackets and sweaters at the ready boys and girls.

Salvador, Brasil

Salvador is by far the most interesting place we have visited so far. The old city is a short distance from the shore and is high up on rocky hill - perfect for defending back in the day. There is a really tall elevator which moves people between the shore and the old city - very busy - nobody is doing steps in this heat.

Elevator at left of picture

The city is very busy at the moment - Carnival is in full swing. The old city streets are cobbled, narrow, hilly and congested - perfect on a sweltering hot humid day - a beer is certainly well deserved after a couple of hours of walking.

Street vendors are every where - beads, noise makers, beer - you name it, they sell it

Toddler princess ready to party

Come in to my shop - you will be very safe with me!!!

The streets are power washed with detergent each morning after the all night parties

There are more than 160 churches in this town. Many date back to the 1600s and most are very ornate and well preserved.

Most of the local buildings are painted in very bright colours which are much in keeping with the party atmosphere.

The inside of one church we visited - gold leaf would you believe.

We are at sea tomorrow and then in Rio for two days - Carnival will be very impressive we are told.
Keep visiting and all take care.