A full moon over Ushuaia
Cape Horn from the Minerva
A beautiful sculpture in Buenos Aires
The largest, and most exotic cemetery we have ever seen
Tango dancers on Buenos Aires street
Argentina's President works in this building
Boca Juniors' futbol stadium
Colorful Caminita StreetUpon departing the indescribable beauty of Antarctica, the dreaded Drake Passage awaited us for what was expected to be a rough crossing. But, our run of outstanding luck continued. The weather, crossing the most treacherous body of water in the world, was more like navigating across Elliot Bay from Seattle to the Bremerton Ferry dock than it was from the wilderness of Antarctica to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. The Minerva did get within 12 miles of Cape Horn for a few long-range photos. But with Chilean naval boats patrolling extensively, we were not permitted to get closer than 12 miles.
Thankfully, the relatively calm weather enabled us to have plenty of time to pack our suitcases, visit with shipmates, attend wrap-up sessions and prepare for the next phase of our adventure…the regent post cruise option to Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls. Our six-hour early arrival in Ushuaia meant the crew, as well as passengers, would have time to enjoy the harbor. Unfortunately, it was 9 p.m. Saturday, so most everything was closed. But, we did manage to pick up a few patches that Jan will sew onto the red Antarctic parkas which were gifts from the Minerva. After a short stroll, we returned to our ship, finished packing, and got to bed early enough to get a good night’s sleep.
Early the next morning, we said goodbye to the wonderful staff of the Minerva and were bussed to the Ushuaia airport for a three-hour flight to Buenos Aires. Our three day post excursion began late that day with a city tour, showing us both the poor and wealthy neighborhoods. The contrasts were amazing. We even visited the Recoleta Cemetary, where the wealthy of Argentina built one room memorials (many even had chairs inside for the families). It dates back to 1822, and contains 6400 mausoleums. Most contained several caskets within the same building. Eva Peron was buried in her family’s unit (she was buried 27 feet underground, because her body had been stolen so many times). Our next stop was at the Pink Presidential House (their President lives outside the city, but she does work there) and a lovely old church across the square.
Another stop was near the Boca Juniors Futbol (soccer) facility where we had been in 1985 and 1986 when our son, Greg, played soccer in South America. There is a very interesting street named Caminita pictured above with brightly colored tin houses next to the stadium. Several people were doing the tango, of course. Chuck Jacoby actually posed with one of the dancers. Unfortunately Jerry was told to leave his big camera in the minibus, so we have no photo of that. Our group did pay close attention this time as we were also with the woman who had her wrist and lower arm broken by a young man trying to steal her watch prior to our expedition to Antarctica.
All in all, Buenos Aires showed us a great time this day. We did, however, remember to leave all jewelry in the hotel room’s safe, and brought just a single credit card with us.
Our day finished with dinner in the hotel and an early evening preparing for our 8 a.m. flight to Iguazu Falls. The Falls are located on the Argentina, Brazilian, and Paraguay border (although Paraguay was up river a bit from our destination).
Thankfully, the relatively calm weather enabled us to have plenty of time to pack our suitcases, visit with shipmates, attend wrap-up sessions and prepare for the next phase of our adventure…the regent post cruise option to Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls. Our six-hour early arrival in Ushuaia meant the crew, as well as passengers, would have time to enjoy the harbor. Unfortunately, it was 9 p.m. Saturday, so most everything was closed. But, we did manage to pick up a few patches that Jan will sew onto the red Antarctic parkas which were gifts from the Minerva. After a short stroll, we returned to our ship, finished packing, and got to bed early enough to get a good night’s sleep.
Early the next morning, we said goodbye to the wonderful staff of the Minerva and were bussed to the Ushuaia airport for a three-hour flight to Buenos Aires. Our three day post excursion began late that day with a city tour, showing us both the poor and wealthy neighborhoods. The contrasts were amazing. We even visited the Recoleta Cemetary, where the wealthy of Argentina built one room memorials (many even had chairs inside for the families). It dates back to 1822, and contains 6400 mausoleums. Most contained several caskets within the same building. Eva Peron was buried in her family’s unit (she was buried 27 feet underground, because her body had been stolen so many times). Our next stop was at the Pink Presidential House (their President lives outside the city, but she does work there) and a lovely old church across the square.
Another stop was near the Boca Juniors Futbol (soccer) facility where we had been in 1985 and 1986 when our son, Greg, played soccer in South America. There is a very interesting street named Caminita pictured above with brightly colored tin houses next to the stadium. Several people were doing the tango, of course. Chuck Jacoby actually posed with one of the dancers. Unfortunately Jerry was told to leave his big camera in the minibus, so we have no photo of that. Our group did pay close attention this time as we were also with the woman who had her wrist and lower arm broken by a young man trying to steal her watch prior to our expedition to Antarctica.
All in all, Buenos Aires showed us a great time this day. We did, however, remember to leave all jewelry in the hotel room’s safe, and brought just a single credit card with us.
Our day finished with dinner in the hotel and an early evening preparing for our 8 a.m. flight to Iguazu Falls. The Falls are located on the Argentina, Brazilian, and Paraguay border (although Paraguay was up river a bit from our destination).
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