Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, 1/23/16

Today we went to the end of the world, specifically the southern end of the Pan American Highway. FYI the last 20 kilometers or so is unpaved and located in the Tierra Del Fuego National Park. It is also very windy at the end of the world.

We made several stops in the park along a river, then lake and finally bay to get a taste of the gorgeous scenery. The snow-capped Andes run east to west here. The border between Chile and Argentina runs right through TdF. Today's guide, Florencia, lives in Buenos Aires but works in Ushuaia in the summer. She told us the tour company brings in extra people for the season, putting them up in a "Big Brother" house. Housing is scarce and expensive here, so to have it provided is a big plus as are the wages, triple what she could earn in Buenos Aires.

A big Celebrity ship pulled in next to us while we were ashore and the Norwegian Sun was waiting to take our place at the pier. Lots of tourists in town. We're leaving around 1 pm to cruise first the Beagle Channel and then Glacier Alley en route to our next stop, Punta Arenas, Chile.

I'm now firmly convinced that "Patagonia" means not big feet but screaming winds! We left Ushuaia around 1 pm to cruise the Beagle Channel to Glacier Alley. I made the effort to experience it all on the forward deck and lasted about five minutes. That wind was so strong I couldn't hold my camera steady so I retreated first to the Promenade Deck and finally to our stateroom. Lucky us, we were passing the Glaciers on the starboard side so we had a front row seat on our verandah.

Some rain late this afternoon (it's warmer here but still in the 40s F) followed by a full double rainbow.