Ushuaia

Friday 19th November.

First day in Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego (aka ´the city at the end of the world´). As soon as I had a walk around the town on Friday afternoon after having breakfast and changing my dorm room, I knew that I would like this place. Its a town surrounded by snow capped mountains and a large national park full of mountains, lakes and loads of treks including a hike to a glacier about 7km outside of the town.

I cant say I done much my first day here. Made some enquiries at the tourist office about what to see and do in Ushuaia and also went to a few travel agencies to see was there any possibility of getting a boat through the small islands around Tierra del Fuego and hopefully dock in some town in Chile. Prices were very expensive and any cheap option was booked out weeks in advance. Met loads of people who were heading further south to Antarctica but the cost was too much but would have loved to have experienced it.

The hostel Im staying in here is called ´Freestyle´ hostel and its a great place.

http://www.ushuaiafreestyle.com/

Free hot drinks all day and a great place to meet people travelling. Im sharing a dorm with a Dutch guy and 4 Germans.

Next day (Saturday), I took a bus out to Tierra del Fuego National Park (Bus Arg$70 + Entrance fee Arg $65). Met a girl called Nadja on the way out to the park and we spent the day trekking in the forest and by the lakes. Its a really big park and I think you would need about 2-3 days to see it in full. Unfortunately I didnt have more days here so I could have come back to see more of it.

Was delighted to get back to the hostel in the evening .. my feet were in bits. Definitely need to get fit if I intend doing some serious treks here in South America. As I planned to have a lie in tomorrow morning, I showered, shaved and relaxed at the hostel and had a few beers. Played pool and cards all evening with Andrew and Simone and Irini (the German girls I met on Thursday night). Later I went down to the local pub which is the Irish ´Dublin´ bar. I was definitely the only Irish person in the place! I left about 2 am and headed home. There are a few clubs in Ushuaia .. not sure if they were any good, but couldnt get anyone to head out for the night :-(

Sunday 21st November

Very lazy morning. Didnt do anything till about 13:00. I decided then to trek out the 7km to the Martial Glacier just outside of Ushuaia. I eventually made it to the glacier about 15:00. Freezing cold up there! The climb was also quite intense at the very end. Glad I done it though .. was well worth it .. although I know my legs are going to be in bits tomorrow!

Early start on Monday morning ... 5am! Checked out of the hostel and myself and Andrew caught a bus to Puerto Natales, Chile. Another long South American bus journey ....! We had to go back to Rio Grande (220km) and then make a border crossing into Chile before travelling another 630km to Puerto Natales, Chile. Long day! Didnt arrive in Puerto Natales until after 22:00 that night.