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Posted inSouth America Travel

Argentinean Patagonia

Posted By irene Posted on January 25, 2012
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Dear Readers,

Thanks again to those of you who responded to Edition #2 from South America.

Since I last wrote, we (the ship, that is) rounded Cape Horn and started going north up the eastern coast of South America.  Thus, we are now in Argentina.  Again, the southern part of Argentina is part of Patagonia.  The first port we stopped at was Ushuaia (pronounced oo-shy-a).  It is the southern most city in the world.  Ships leave from here to go to Antartica.

We went on 2 excursions.  In the morning we took a catamaran (that’s a boat!) on Beagle Channel which is named for Darwin’s boat.  This channel connects the Pacific with the Atlantic Ocean which is pretty cool.  The catamaran went to several small islands where we saw South American terns (small white birds), South American sea lions, cormorants (black and white birds) and “the lighthouse at the end of the world”.

Immediately following the first excursion, we went on a second one.  This one has been my favorite excursion so far.  We went in a 4 X 4 jeep that literally went off road over bumpy trails marked by watery holes.  It was lots of fun; just 7 of us in the jeep with a great guide (plus a second jeep with another group).  We saw part of the Andes Mountains (which stretch north to south through Chile and then go west to east from Chile to Argentina); they are beautiful.  We saw a dam built by beavers.  Here’s what the beavers did to one tree they abandoned.

Then we “hiked” (more like a gentle walk; but there’s hiking to come; read on!) to a wonderful panorama of Ushuaia Bay.  From there we were taken to the home of a local family where we were fed chorizo, steak and salad.  By now it was after 5 PM so we had no need for dinner on the ship that night.


Sunday was a day at sea; that’s the day we actually rounded Cape Horn (and we have t-shirts to prove it!)  Monday was a day at sea as well.  Cruising is definitely an easy way to travel.  I have never gotten so much reading done on a sightseeing trip; no need to prepare either.  However, at this point I would have to say that I think I prefer Haber Tours over organized tours.


Yesterday we arrived at Puerto Madryn which is in the northern part of Patagonia.  We went on an excursion which first took us to the San Guiliermo Estancia (Ranch) where we saw a sheep being sheared.  I found it interesting; Marty thought it was barbaric.  Then they fed us a “typical” lunch:  salad, chicken and sausage.  When we were done with that, they brought out lamb.  I was full by then and didn’t want to eat lamb anyway after watching the sheep running around.


From there we were taken on a hike.  Now this was a hike.  Did you hear Marty grumbling up north?  You must have!  Actually, it was a little scary.  We walked over some planks that were the width of your shoe over some gullies and then literally walked up, down and around some mountains.  A wrong step would have been really bad but no one got hurt.  I must admit I was actually a little frightened at times but thought it was an adventure.  There was a gorgeous view from the top of the mountain.  I’m sure Marty will be happy to share his opinion of this excursion with you!


When we returned to the ship, I went to a lecture on Iguazu Falls (where we will be going in a few days); Marty took a nap after his strenuous hike!


Today is the last day at sea.  They’ve upped the volume of food; if that’s actually possible.  Today there was a huge buffet (breakfast plus lunch) in the main dining room.  The quality of the food in the various restaurants is quite astonishing given the number of people they have to feed.  The crew put on a talent show that was terrific; Marty took a nap in the cabin.  Then I went to a cooking competition among the chefs that was also a lot of fun.  At that point Marty went to the steam bath.


Since this is the last day at sea, I am not sure when I will send out another Haber Report.  The next 2 days we will be in Uruguay (Punte del Este followed by Montevideo) and then a very long day going (and returning) to Iguazu Falls which is on the northern border of Argentina; one side of the falls is in Brazil.  We will be flying back and forth on a chartered plane that day.  The next day we depart the ship and will spend several days in Buenos Aires (on a Haber Tour) before returning home.


So until we meet again, Hasta la vista.


Love,
Irene

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