Crossing Drake Passage almost behind us we were in for a treat as the ocean cooperated enough that the Captain was able to take a bit of a detour and take us off tipoffs Cape Horn. The most southern tip of South America many books and tales have originated from here where so many ships have sunk and so many sailors have lost their lives. There is a monument of an albatross near the lighthouse to honour all those that have been lost at sea. Was a bit of a somber experience to sit out on the ocean on the ship and think about how many ship lay below us. The rest of the trip into Ushuaia was much calmer sailing and we arrived at the dock in the late evening. Saturday morning January 18th we disembarked early to sunny skies which let us see the beautiful snow capped mountains that surround the city that were not visible in the rain when we were here before. We visited the former maximum security prison which is now a museum as this city used to be the Australia of Argentina as it was where they sent all their prisoners. We then walked around town which certainly has the most adventure clothing stores I have ever seen in a town this size before setting off for the airport and our flight to Buenos Aires which will end our National Geographic Trip and we will be on our own.
Raising the albatross flag as we get near to Cape Horn
Approaching the Cape there was a viable excitement on the ship
This high island is the actual Cape Horn
The lighthouse at the Cape with the statue of the albatross to the left which is made from the steel from one of the ships that sank here
There were huge flicks of albatross at the Horn and even though we had seen lots of these birds we had never seen them in these numbers before
Our very able Captain navigating the ship with Jimmy and Bud keeping close watch
Enjoying the Horn
Lovely poem that is posted at Cape Horn
Arriving in Ushuaia
Rather a picturesque town with a real mix of architecture
Inside the old prison, it was very cold and dark
The streets of town are all straight and hilly and have a mountain view at the end
This unique building decides to capitalize on the town’s history as a penal colony
Beautiful statue of an albatross embracing the people symbolizing the sailors lost at sea
Southern most city in the world
Chart of our trip
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