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Published: November 28th 2009
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Ushuaia.............made it!!
Flew in this morning after two long flights firstly from Salta,then after quite a delay from Buenos Airies, on my new least popular airline......Aereolineas Argentinas.....I wont be joining their frequent flyer program.
It all started very sedately yesterday when I had my last chorizo in San Lorenzo washed down by a Salta Negro....then on arrival at Salta airport informed that the flight was going to be 2 hours late........still had plenty of time for connection.....but the airport is so small that there was nothing to do.....no complimentary wifi either.....what is it with airports these days.......some provide it some dont.....they cant make that much money out of it......
When it did eventually arrive what a cattle truck......we were all squeezed in.....I saw no spare seats....which were the worse Ive sat in.....how old was this heap of junk.....should it still be in service.......oh well....the food might be better.....wrong! ......two small slices of white bread with a scraping of philadelphia cheese spread oh and a glass of water poured from a two litre bottle that cost twopence.....why bother!
During my four hour layover in Buenos Airies they were making a fashion shoot, so this at least gave me something to
watch and pass the time.....it was now 4am.
Got away on time, but once again the breakfast croissant was that old and past it that even Cristian Barnard could not have revived it......I gave up! The womans seat in front of me was broken and always in the fully tilt back position giving me even less room....
The one thing that was spectacular was the approach to Ushuaia (pronounced ushwaya ) We came over the snow clad peaks and headed down the Beagle Channel were the winds must have been incredible as the pilot wrestled with the plane, which at this point was going up and down and side to side......I was too busy taking photos to care......then he banked the plane steeply and headed back up the middle of the Beagle Channel at what seemed feet above the water still shaking from side to side ....then a perfect touchdown......everyone applauded......and deservedly so.......
Then .....no siutcase.....my worst nightmare...but eventually found that it had come on earlier flight....so much for security!!!!!
Got a taxi and checked into my hotel ( Hotel Austral )....very nice room and location.
Its bloody freezing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.............after being used to shorts and heat for the last three
weeks.....whats happened.....the wind!!!!!!!!!............everyones in massive winter expedition gear.....I guess Im only a stones throw from Antartica.....
Got changed and went out......this is really a frontier town, and has that raw feel about it.....being totally surrounded by snow covered peaks and glaciers...awesome......had a rapid walk around town....icebreaking Russian ships in the harbour.....good seafood but also excellent meat cooked in massive wood fire pits, so when I had lunch..... and the guy put half a cow, and a chichen breast that was so big Pamela Anderson would have been proud, on my plate, I saw a notice on the wall which said dont waste food.....or they would charge me an extra 12 pesos.......now theres real pressure to clear your plate........this was like the perfect horror movie for a vegatarian.......I survived.....just!
Am off on a 6 hour criuse up the Beagle Channel in the morning....hope the wether is ok, or I wont be having breakfast!!
ciao
Mario
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Carlo
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Holy shit, man !
I have just seen on the map where you are ! Jeez - you are at the end of the world ! I bet you will have some stunning scenery, and probably almost permanent daylight !!! Are you going to be in for a shock when you come back to beautiful Gateshead where it gets dark at 3:30 pm... Glad you have made it, and good to talk to you on Friday - remember you were in the 75 degree sun, no mozzies - must seem like a world away. Will be interested to hear how Usuhaia compares and contrasts to Alaska. Enjoy exploring the Beagle Channel while the rest of us get on with their Xmas preparations. Ciao. By the way, how far away is El Calafate ????