Punta Arenas at Sea and Chucabuco

This day at sea was spent relaxing with Trivia, eating, gym, eating, pilates, eating, drinking, eating. You got it. Went to the show that evening which I thought was OK, others didn’t like it so much.

For those who watch Fox Discovery Channel the town of Ushuaia is no mystery. It is the southernmost city in the world with a population of 60,000. We decided on a rail and jail tour. This town was a prison town from 1902 to 1947. Prisoners were just below life sentence. As part of their labour they built a prison railway which carried the prisoners to various work areas.

We then moved on to the National Park which was very much as one would expect. Finally to the prison and city museum which was very interesting and fully explained the history of Ushuaia.

We mooched around town and back to the ship for lunch at what has become known as the Hakoah Club – a cafeteria style restaurant where older people push you out of the way to get to mediocre food. OK the food is not too bad but the people are very pushy.

Sleep, eat, show and then bed.

Next day we arrived early at Punta Arenas – our first Chilean stop, a relatively larger town with 130,000 people. It seems to have much to do with the Chilean Navy. Much excitement today as Justin and Michael go off on their Antarctic tour. A 2½ hour flight to Frei Base, a Chilean Air Force Scientific Research base. This was followed by a zodiac (small boat) trip to Ardley Island, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There they were allowed to walk among the Penguins (Justin even patted one). Some were disappointed as only one boatload made it there and back before bad weather set in – luckily including Justin and Michael.

The others took a tour to Otway Penguin Colony which was fascinating getting so close to where the penguins live and breed. They are such sweet animals and their ecology and history was quite absorbing. Gerda was convinced (easily) to take a motorised scooter for the 2km trek to and from the colony – good value at $US15 including somebody who followed her around to make sure she was OK driving on the pathways.

Danielle and I returned to town for internet, lunch etc while Jerome and Ludmila did a city tour and Anna went kayaking. All met back at the ship for a birthday celebration for Michael who turned 23 today. We were joking that he would be the only person celebrating his birthday on Antarctica that day – well they came back saying he was the only straight person celebrating his birthday on Antarctica that day. The celebration took the form of a dinner at Le Bistro, a fine dining French Restaurant where we had a superb meal including foi gras, beef, bouillabaisse and other great delights. This was followed by the 22:30 chocaholic buffet where not too much was eaten - by us at least.

Next morning the gym was full with those who participated in the night before chocolate buffet. None of us had breakfast but met at 11:45 for International Trivia – led at the turn but faded in the straight – before the sushi lunch which was rated at seven out of ten.

Ludmila gave Danielle a facial before everybody had a rest for the afternoon. Dinner expected to be low key.

The next day was the only time we had two consecutive days at sea. Activities included eating, trivia which we won from about ten other teams, eating, a Disney Dali cartoon which was interesting, eating, gym, eating, a truth or lie show which was good, a history of dance show (hohum) and a Motown show which was great.

What is Pisonia:
A pea based soup from the Pisa region
An Australian bush with aphrodisiac qualities

What is Erectarine
A West Indian instrument made from mops and bells
A constellation
A listening device

A relatively late night with early morning stretching classes as we arrive in Chucabuco. Danielle, Justin and I elect for no tours today which seems a good idea as it is raining. Being a township of 1,400 people we will probably wander into town have a look around and come back for more eating – I mean shipboard life.

Only Friday and Saturday and our trip will finish on Sunday. I have arranged 2 vans to take us the 80kms from Valparaiso to Santiago where Justin and I leave that night, Danielle the following night and everybody else the following night with Anna to Buenos Aires and Mike to New York.

Anyway catch you all soon
Love XD