Off To Antarctica

I decided to pass the day visiting the other place down here that I had heard and read a lot about - Tierra Del Fuego. It's the tip of the South American continent. Actually I couldn't get to the tip itself, but I was able to get into the National Park that includes it. It involved taking a trip on 'El Tren Del Fin Del Mundo' - the train at the end of the world. It's actually very similar to Puffing Billy in Melbourne, a narrow gauge steam engine that pulls tourists although, unlike Puffing Billy, being so far south the carriages are air-conditioned.

So after breakfast delivered to the room I hiked back down into town to get some cash for the adventure as advised by our wonderful hotel. Ah Argentina. The big set of ATMs in the town were working, but had no cash to dispense, so I took a chance and caught a taxi out to the starting station before I missed my chance. Turns out that they take cards anyway.

This part of Argentina was seen as strategic by the government, but unsurprisingly nobody wanted to live here. So they did what Britain did to Australia - turned it into a prison colony. The railway was built by the prisoners, and then used to transport them in shackles to their daily work of felling the forests for the wood. The train commentary makes a big emotional pitch in words and music so that 'their story will be everlasting'.

The train took about 45 minutes and travelled at walking pace so we didn't go far, but it was a lot of fun. We even stopped half way for a walk to a very small waterfall. Not quite Iguazu.

When the train arrived in the National Park I went for a fair walk into the park, and caught a later train back. I took a route that went down to the Beagle Passage and one of the boat landings, complete with obligatory post office on the water's edge to get your postcards stamped.

Arriving back at the starting station I called a taxi to take me back into town, and had a small, late lunch, before wandering down to the port parking lot to meet the tour bus at the embarkation point. Taken on board, checked in and found my cabin. Wasn't expecting something this flash. I booked the cheapest internal 3 person shared cabin, but I've actually got a window view in a 2 person cabin with Roland. It will be great. Teak appointments, all food and drink included, jacuzzi, gym to look at, TV and DVD in every room, chocolates on the pillow. Everything you could want.

After the welcome speeches and introductions to the crew and smurfs (as the NZ expedition leader terms the expedition team), and then standing around on deck watching us cast off, we went through the mandatory evacuation drill before being summoned for dinner. A four course menu with choices at all stages. I had a salad, lime grouper and black forest cake, having wisely passed on soup. We'd been told in the expedition leader's comedy routine (sorry, introductory speech) that nine times around the boat deck is a mile, but if you lie down the urge passes. However, I might just need to keep up some exercise if I'm going to manage three 4 course meals every day.

After dinner we all went to get fitted for our canary yellow jackets which we can keep, and our boots which we give back. The jacket is a full polar jacket, and I'm not sure I'll be able to cope with a jumper underneath. I'll see how I go. The hardest part is going to be getting it home in my pack. I then spent some time on deck in the fading light as we travelled down the Beagle Passage with Argentina on our left, and Chile on our right.