Antarctic Cruise Day 27 / 40 - Ushuaia, Argentina - our private yacht is coming to an end

Antarctic Cruise Day 27 / 40 - Ushuaia, Argentina - we can finally count it

Trip day: 27 / 40

Port days: 9
Sea days: 17
Countries: 5
Continents: 3
Ports/Landings: 6

The last time we were in Ushuaia on our world cruise, we only did a technical stop to pick up fuel.  Since the stop was unplanned, they had not cleared our visit with Argentina, therefore, we were not allowed off the ship.  I didn't count it as a country or even a port on that trip since we couldn't set foot on land.  That changed today as we're legitimately in Ushuaia so we can add another country to our list of countries visited.

Ushuaia is known as the city at the end of the world and is generally recognized as the southernmost city in the world.

Our plan today was a catamaran trip in the Beagle Channel, visiting Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, known as the lighthouse at the end of the world.  We would also visit a place known as Isla de los Lobos or Sea Lion Island, and Puerto Karelo.

Of course, before that, we needed to eat breakfast.  This is how they take care of us - they had Coke Zero set aside for us, just to be sure they were ready.

Before we headed out, we walked up to the front of the ship.  Remember the video yesterday with the water coming completely over the window?

See that big window.  That is the window I was filming yesterday.  For reference, each of the red bars I added is roughly one meter.  If you count carefully, the top of the window is about ten meters above the water line.  This means that the front of our ship dipped at least 30 feet under the water yesterday! Wow!

Our ride for the catamaran cruise

We stopped at Estancia Farm, a former lumber mill. Now, they have few cattle.

We saw this guy trying to conquer a huge hill

Next up was Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the lighthouse at the end of the world.

The island, like Sea Lion Island, is home to many sea lions as well as imperial cormorants and other birds.

I'm not sure what was happening, but I think this  cormorant was broken

Imperial cormorants

Hauling kelp

We headed out for our next stop.

We stopped at Puerto Karelo for a scenic view.

Arlona - doing her water-touching thing

Our final stop was Sea Lion Island, home to sea lions and imperial cormorants.

A pregnant female

Does she look tired?

Landings looked awkward

Hauling kelp

We headed back to Ushuaia.

After lunch, we headed into town and walked around.

The southernmost Hard Rock Cafe

Check out the crabs

I'm guessing these bags aren't sold in English-speaking countries

Returning to the Polaris

A beautiful view - plus a mountain in the Andes

When we returned to our room…we saw this.

Yes, we need to start spitting in a vial again.  I chatted with a friend on the Octantis today and they are starting it as well.  It looks like it is a Viking corporate decision and has nothing to do with our specific cruise.  Oh well, after 163 days of doing that on the world cruise plus extensions, we know what we're doing.

Tomorrow, we're taking a tour of the national park before we sail for Antarctica tomorrow evening. And, we'll have to figure out how to deal with the additional 220 passengers.