Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego

Finally we have arrived at the most southerly town in the world, its been long (5989km) and painful getting here and people are definately trucked out but glad to be here. Special moment for all of us as we all stared together in Rio and travelled all the way down togther and this marks the end of the first leg where 10 people leave and 10 people join.

Pulling into Ushuaia was strange, as I was expecting ice, snow and general cold but the weather (although I had my ski jacket on) was rather mild, they keep reminding me its summer. We all did the tourist poses at the towns entrance then put up the tent -again. Our tent has leaked everytime its rained and basically I was fed up of having a tent shower in the night so I nicked one of the girls tents who was leaving the trip the next day. I felt a little guilty knowing some new excited fellow traveller would get our damp leaking cast off, but then "snooze you lose", right?!

At the campsite the owner is "Mr Steak", soon as we pulled up he was beating 3 (dead) cows into steak sized portions. The other option was fish, with head and bones, so I had my lettuce and bread and lots of Argentinian red wine. As it was the official last night of the first leg we partied hard saying good bye to "Team Oz - youre awesome!". There was a columbian family staying at the campsite and they had all their mates down celebrating their daughters 3rd birthday, so we headed down to the Rio Pipo for a folktastic fiesta. I never knew I could drum, but few glasses of wine and I rocked that bass beat. It was cold so a large fire kept us dancing and drumming into the morning dawn. Perfect last night, difficult saying bye to people youve lived with for the past month but excitment at meeting the next lot!

The next day all the "newbees"arrived. They all had on serious hiking gear and me and Ollie both gulped - maybe this leg was the party leg and now the serious hard work begins?! In fact, none of them were still drunk from the night before - maybe things are gonna be a changing :S

Chance for a quick shopping expedition in town - I didnt buy anything but Ollie has the whole of Ushuaia now packed in his bag. One sleeìng mat, thats not enough for his delicate hips, he HAD to buy the deluxe self inflating quilted 8cm thick matress. I have his punctured cast off. Plus, trainers, head torch etc, etc. At least he was happy.

The afternoon was spent eating free cakes and cookies on board a boat taking us down the Beagle Straight to the famous Faro lighthouse. We saw yet more sealions and sea birds but no dolphins. A little overpriced for what it was but worthwhile doing - if not for the free cake.

Then off to my most challening restaurant of all time. Ushuaia is famous for King Crab. What happened last time I ate crab - yeah thats right, great big swollen puffy face and general illness. So, salad and bread again and trying not to breathe in fumes. Ollie said it tasted pretty brilliant though.

The next day was an early start to Tierra del Fuego national park. Part owned by Chile we went to the Argentinian side and did an american style natinal park visit. Coach, guide, half hr drive, 100m walk to cafe, 20 min drive, 5 min walk to a tourist spot. Didnt really enjoy the way our trip ran but did get to see the worlds most southerly post office and saw a beaver dam.

Off to Chile tomorrow, the second leg of our adventure. The walking bit, the glacier bit, mmm, exercise and cold. My blog entries may be quite rude and grumpy from now on. Better stock up on that Vino Tinto.

P.S. It was the 29th while we were here so I proposed to Ollie, if the man says no, you get a present. The bugger said yes, no present, dont start panicking dad - I was NOT serious. Just wanted some jewellery, chocolates, wine.........etc