Our day started at 4:15 AM (12:15AM CST) with a wake up call. Ugh!! We asked for a taxi cab to be arranged by 5:10 to head to the airport for a 7:10 flight. As we headed out the front of the hotel, the taxi driver took one look at our mound of bags and, still sitting in his car, just shook his head “No!” Packing for 16 days of wet and cold takes a few (big) bags. Nevertheless, there was another taxi nearby who was willing to take us (and our bags). What a chaotic scene at Jorge Newberry Airport!! It was about 5:30 AM, and that place was PACKED!! Fortunately, the check in didn’t take too long, and soon we were at the security line. Shoes on? No prob. Watch on? No prob. Liquids in the bag? Don’t worry. Small can opener in Theresa’s bag from numerous trips all over the United States, and even international? Huh-uh!!! No way!! I especially like the way the security woman spoke not a word, but gave us a disdainful look, while shaking her head.
The flight was pretty decent. LAN A320, with all of the ship’s passengers and a number of LAN employees, too, and not a middle seat assigned. Nice!! Great take off power, too. I guess those V2500 engines are not bad? Anyway, we got to Ushuaia (USH) about 10-10:30AM (4 hour flight). The mountains were amazing!! (See Pic)
We boarded a bus (after a crack security check for food or contraband that amounted to opening our carry on, and saying “No, we have no food.”) and started a tour of the area. We went to the “End of the World” (Fin del Mundo) park, and saw what is supposedly the southernmost Post Office in the world (although, I read that there is a post office in one of the Research stations on the Continent of Antarctica), but at least it is the Southernmost City in the world. We were to have gone deeper into the park for vistas and scenery, but the road was closed. Oh well. We finally got to the ship about 2:30. Check in was not bad, and they served Champagne during the process. At length, we got our room assignment, and found our bags already inside. It is a tiny room, but fairly nicely appointed. There is a 32” plasma TV with 141 movies (yeah, that’s why we came, for the movies), and the bathroom is granite and marble, with a deep tub. After unpacking, we went upstairs to the “Sun Deck” for drinks and views waiting to depart. We saw amazing birds (albatrosses and petrals) which soared through the air without even beating their wings. They could face the wind and remain nearly stationary, or turn with it, and zoom past. I found humor in the fact they served tropical drinks while we stood around freezing in gloves, hats, and heavy coats!
As there are only 117 passengers, and 123 staff (including guides, and scientific experts), we were “warned” in a cruise briefing that we were outnumbered, should we get wild notions of mutiny. That’s OK. They have more drinks than anyone could want, so mutiny is a slim risk.
Throughout the experience, we have found our fellow passengers to be genial and friendly. People are willing to just chat and be social (though a few were a bit annoying).Tomorrow is a day at sea, so the agenda is mostly lectures on the birds of the Falklands, and the History of the Falklands. I’m looking forward to the History, but might enjoy the birds too. Theresa is more interested in standing out on deck looking for birds, whales, and whatever wildlife is available. Either way, we think it will be fun!
(We couldn't get pix loaded...we'll try tomorrow!)
The flight was pretty decent. LAN A320, with all of the ship’s passengers and a number of LAN employees, too, and not a middle seat assigned. Nice!! Great take off power, too. I guess those V2500 engines are not bad? Anyway, we got to Ushuaia (USH) about 10-10:30AM (4 hour flight). The mountains were amazing!! (See Pic)
We boarded a bus (after a crack security check for food or contraband that amounted to opening our carry on, and saying “No, we have no food.”) and started a tour of the area. We went to the “End of the World” (Fin del Mundo) park, and saw what is supposedly the southernmost Post Office in the world (although, I read that there is a post office in one of the Research stations on the Continent of Antarctica), but at least it is the Southernmost City in the world. We were to have gone deeper into the park for vistas and scenery, but the road was closed. Oh well. We finally got to the ship about 2:30. Check in was not bad, and they served Champagne during the process. At length, we got our room assignment, and found our bags already inside. It is a tiny room, but fairly nicely appointed. There is a 32” plasma TV with 141 movies (yeah, that’s why we came, for the movies), and the bathroom is granite and marble, with a deep tub. After unpacking, we went upstairs to the “Sun Deck” for drinks and views waiting to depart. We saw amazing birds (albatrosses and petrals) which soared through the air without even beating their wings. They could face the wind and remain nearly stationary, or turn with it, and zoom past. I found humor in the fact they served tropical drinks while we stood around freezing in gloves, hats, and heavy coats!
As there are only 117 passengers, and 123 staff (including guides, and scientific experts), we were “warned” in a cruise briefing that we were outnumbered, should we get wild notions of mutiny. That’s OK. They have more drinks than anyone could want, so mutiny is a slim risk.
Throughout the experience, we have found our fellow passengers to be genial and friendly. People are willing to just chat and be social (though a few were a bit annoying).Tomorrow is a day at sea, so the agenda is mostly lectures on the birds of the Falklands, and the History of the Falklands. I’m looking forward to the History, but might enjoy the birds too. Theresa is more interested in standing out on deck looking for birds, whales, and whatever wildlife is available. Either way, we think it will be fun!
(We couldn't get pix loaded...we'll try tomorrow!)
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