Ushuaia to Ventus Australis

Note: we just finished our wonderful 5 day Patagonian cruise on Ventus Australis. We had no internet access during the cruise so I am posting my blog entries for the last 5 days now.

Blog post for Sunday October 15, 2023

When we went to breakfast this morning we could see our ship the Ventus Australis from the window of the breakfast room.

Our Cruise ship from our hotel

Later we checked out of the hotel and walked to the Australis office where we checked in for the cruise and left our bags. We had about six hours to kill before we could board the ship at 6 pm

We visited the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia. Ushuaia was originally a prison colony. The museum is in the old prison.

Our Cruise ship from our hotel

We had a long lunch. Then we were going to go out on the dock to visit the Argentine navy training tall ship that happened to be I n town, but there was a long line and it was just too cold and windy.

At 6pm we got on board, listened to the welcome talk and had dinner. The ship left Ushuaia at about 7:30.

Getting ready to board Ventus Australis
Our room on Ventus Australis
The captain and crew welcome us.

Ventus Australis Day 4

Note: We just finished our wonderful 5 day Patagonia Cruise on Ventus Australis. We had no internet access during the cruise so I am posting my blog entries for the last 5 days now.

Blog post for Wednesday October 18 2023

This morning we landed on the beach and then walked around the glacial lake in front of the Aguila Glacier. It was a very nice walk and our expedition guide told us al about the flora

On the beach with Ventus Australis in the background
A short detour into the woods
I think our guide told us that this is called pig skin seaweed
Aguilar Glacier

After almost every excursion we are offered hot chocolate and if you want it, whiskey.

After the hike

This afternoon’s we took a boat tour to the Condor glacier it’s one of the prettiest glaciers that we have seen.

At the Condor glacier

After dinner we were talking with the Spaniards at the next table. They asked Duke about “Trum”. It took a while for Duke to translate, but he eventually realized they were talking about Trump. Duke told them what he thinks about Trump and they said they couldn’t figure out how such a wonderful country as the United States could have a president as stupid as Trump.

This evening was our last full day on the ship. They auctioned of the chart of our voyage to Cape Horn and held a drawing to give away the ships flag. We didn’t get either. After dinner one of the waiters sang and there was even a conga line!

The auction
Duke and I with our waiter

Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

This morning we caught a 7:45 flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia at the southern tip of South America. Leaving at 7:45 meant we had to set the alarm for 5:15. It was a three and a half hour flight so by the time we got to Ushuaia we were pretty worn out.

The view as we landed in Ushuaia

We had lunch at a restaurant called Bodegon Fueguino.

Sitting down to lunch

We pretty much took it easy for the rest of the day. We did laundry and Duke got a haircut. With tip it cost him $4.52.

Duke relaxing after a haircut and dinner

We played Rummikub in the lounge at the top of our hotel.

The view from the top floor of our hotel.

For dinner we had an excellent meal at Maria Lola Restó.

Duke’s steak
My Merluza
Our shared desert.

Tomorrow we start our cruise around the southern tip of South America.

Buenos Aires day 2

We’ve pretty much taken it easy today. We rode the Hop on Hop off bus this afternoon and saw a bit more of the city.

Getting ready to ride the bus.
La Bombinera Football Stadium
The Obelisk

Tonight we went to a wonderful show at the Bebop Jazz club. The music was Mozart and Gershwin. It started with classical piano music and morphed into wonderful Mozart and Gershwin improvisation. the musicians were having fun and so did we.

The pianist and Bassist
The bow

Buenos Aires

We had a busy and fun day today in Buenos Aires. We started out looking for a coffee shop for breakfast. We found a great one. Several times we have had small croissants with a light sugar glaze. They call them medialunas. They are soooo good!

Coffee, juice and medialunas

Next we did a one hour tour of the Buenos Aires Opera House. It is a beautiful building and according to our guide has the best in the world acoustics for opera.

Our opera house tour
Inside the opera house

Next we had tea and snacks at a nearby cafe that we remembered from our last time in Buenos Aires.

Tea and snacks

After a short break back at the hotel we walked about a mile to Recoleta Cemetery where we did a walking tour. Our guide was excellent and the cemetery and mausoleums were fascinating.

Waiting for our tour. That’s the cemetery gate in the background.
Recoleta Cemetery
Our tour guide
Some of the mausoleums were neglected.
Others were resplendent

We had a great steak dinner at a nearby restaurant. Argentinas really do steak deliciously!

At dinner
Dinner