- Buenos Aires : Explore over the weekend
- Gaucho Day Trip from Buenos Aires
- Visit Ushuaia : Tierra del Fuego National Park
- Visit Ushuaia : Laguna Esmeralda Hike
- Visit Ushuaia : Cruise on the Beagle Channel
- Explore Heart of Patagonia : El Calafate
- Explore El Chalten : Hike Laguna Capri and Chorillo del Saltado
- Explore Torres Del Paine from El Calafate
- Half Day trip from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier
- An evening train to Tigre Delta
Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.Unknown
We have never been lucky on the sea – many of our previous whale spotting trips have been fruitless. Forget the mighty whale – we dint even spot a single fish! And now we were at the southernmost city in the world, the gateway to the Antarctic and we were keen to try our hand again but this time to see the penguins and cruise on the Beagle channel.
Another bright and sunny day – this has been a rare occurrence. We expected it to rain and be windy – instead we were blessed with abundant sunshine for our Tierra del Fugo trip and the hike to Laguna Esmeralda. And today was no different. We arrived early at the port as the sun rose on the bay. Quickly boarded our cruise and off we went leaving behind the shores of Ushuaia.
What excited me was the fact that we were on the same route which goes all the way further to Antarctica via Drake passage. And this has now been added to our bucket list. We left the Ushuaia Bay behind and set sail on the Beagle channel – the waters were calm – which is good as we both were apprehensive about being seasick. Soon we arrived on a big rock in the middle of Channel and by the sound and the stink you knew there were a lot of animals around. This was the Sea lions Island – Perching on top of these rock were both the one and two hair sea lions along with a lot of other birds. The cruise spends quite a lot of time giving us the best angle to click pictures and ensure everyone gets to see them.
We then drove past the bird’s island looking at the several steamer ducks, gulls, Albatrosses and more. Both the bird island and ye sea lions island belong to the Bridges Archipelago. While we enjoyed some hot drinks and snacks in the cruise, we further sailed ahead admiring the Puerto Almanza on the Argentinean coast and on the Chilean coast the Puerto Williams Naval Base before arriving at the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (The Illuminators).
The water or the oceans are one part of the earth which we have never explored – more so because we don’t swim and fear of the water. Though the seas were calm, we were told the depth was around 7000m – which was quite scary and intimidating. I always watch documentaries which show the beautiful flora and fauna underneath the ocean – its looks pretty but never scary. However, when I saw the sea weeds raising form the ocean floor to the surface and the size of it – I was both amazed and petrified at the same time. Maybe it’s a fear I will never overcome.
While I was enjoying the sun on the deck, we saw a pod of dolphins racing with our cruise. This was an amazing sight – what a magnificent creature.
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Just as we were sailing there was an announcement (in Spanish), and everyone rushed out and so did I – not aware what it was. And at a distance I could see sprays of water shootout form the surface – whales!!! Unfortunately, they were swimming in the opposite direction i.e. Towards Ushuaia and the captain wouldn’t turn the ship around. I was devastated – Near and yet so far!!
So we continued sailing eastwards enjoying the wonderful landscape of the channels and the mountains that surround it before arriving at Martillo Island. From a distance I could see little black/white beings on the gravel beach. And as we approached near – there they were – the very cute Magellanic Penguins. We spend quite some time watching this colony of penguins getting in and out of water and soaking in the sun.
Finally we bid adieu to the penguins and started heading back to Ushuaia sailing close to the north coast of the channel. While I was very happy seeing the Dolphins, Sea lions, penguins and more, somewhere I still longed to see the mightiest of them all – The Whale. Addy was enjoying most of her time indoors as she has prime seat right at the front near the captain. While I was taking everything in and accumulating my thoughts on the trip and what we do next – just then I saw Sprays of mist on the surface of water, and I instinctively rushed out even before the captain announced. And there it was, and I couldn’t believe my eyes – mighty Humpback whale – 2 of them. While they went underneath for a moment, they did come back up giving me the most amazing moment of my Argentina trip. What a might beast!
And finally we big adieu to the Whales and now I was beaming with a big smile and couldn’t talk enough about the whales. The size of this mammal is just astonishing. Finally, we reached the port, and it was time for celebration after a great cruise. We had a nice and very filling lunch. Following which we walked around Ushuaia while Addy played in the several play areas dotting the shoreline.
We did visit a mall the next day – which was a leisure day for us. And walked all the way back across the shore. Ushuaia has been a wonder experience, and we were so excited to have made it to this remote part of the world. While we were eagerly looking forward to El Calafate and Chile, we were sad leaving Ushuaia behind. Hoping we will back someday to get aboard our Antarctic cruise.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.