Ushuaia (guest entry by Nina & Lorenz)

From El Calafate Katja and Luka continued their journey to Chile, while Lorenz and I boarded a plane and flew approx. 1000 km southwards to the “End of the World”. Already the view from the plane window as we were landing was breathtaking: Ushuaia is a tiny town nestled between the Beagle Channel and the snow-covered Fuegan Andes. Picturesque small houses and fishermen’s boats contrast the fancy cruise-liners in the harbor. The small town center, which encompasses one main street, boasts restaurants offering tasty spider-crab dishes (Ushuaia specialty – yummy!) and shops where tourists can take advantage of the tax-free zone. Ushuaia is commonly used as a base for hiking in the nearby mountains and glaciers of the National park Tierra del Fuego. Furthermore, sailboat trips and cruises to the “White Continent” start from there.

We boarded an excursion boat to explore the wildlife of the Beagle Channel. Small rocky islands are scattered in the sea, most of them covered by animals such as King and Blue-eyed Cormorants, Albatrosses and Sea Lions. Lone lighthouses stand on others. After about an hour boat ride, we finally arrive at the main attraction: Isla Martillo, where the Magellanic Penguins breed. Hundreds of little black & white creatures, wobbling side-to-side as they walked up to the boat to observe the new arrivals.

The runway of the Ushuaia airport

 

Ushuaia city and harbour

Yummy spider crab... 

...cooked by “Auntie Nina” :)
 

King cormorants and sea lions bathing in the sun

Secluded lighthouses at the end of the world

Magellanic penguins – soooo cute!

Even the penguins keep fit here :)