Remote Weddell Sea Explorer

For our fourth, and what we believe will be our last trip to the white continent, we opted for a unique and challenging itinerary. En savoir plus

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Début du voyage
2 février 2025
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer
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samedi 1 février 2025
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 6 624 p
États Unis 38.969517, -104.80521438°58’10” N 104°48’19” W
1
We Are Off … Almost!
1 février, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
Our next adventure starts in about 21.5 hours … when the driver picks us up from our house in Colorado Springs for an overnight stay at a hotel near Denver Airport [DEN].

I used a new feature of FindPenguins [https://findpenguins.com] to create a very rough itinerary video of our plans. As I add footprints, the map will provide a better visual and I will post another video at the conclusion of the trip.

How our plans actually shape up is TBD … especially once we leave for the Great White Continent.

When traveling from the furious forties to the roaring fifties and screaming sixties — and even further south — Mother Nature is in full control. Her whims will determine where we go … what we do.En savoir plus
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Sonia GelmanThat is cool. Save travels!
01/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelThanks … see you in March.
01/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurAntarktika ya gitmenin en uygun zamanı. Daha sonra iyice soğuyacak. Gerçi şimdi de eksi derece ama! İyi tatil ve gezmeler. Selamlar. Vasıf
02/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelOralardaki yaz sıcağından faydalanacağız 😉
02/02/2025RépondreTraduire
6 commentaires en plus
16 j’aime
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Jour 1
dimanche 2 février 2025
☁️ 66 °F
Altitude: 5 335 p
États Unis Congressional District 6 39.819115, -104.77032539°49’9” N 104°46’13” W
O/N Near DEN
2 février, États Unis ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
An uneventful drive this afternoon brought us to the Residence Inn by Marriott for our overnight stay in advance of tomorrow’s outbound flights.

Once we were settled into our room, we walked across the street to DiCicco’s for an early dinner. Good food; interesting ambiance … which the restaurant’s website describes as “old world.” We even had entertainment … a made-for-TV documentary program featuring Frank Sinatra singing songs — many of them duets with the likes of Peggy Lee, Ethel Merman, Dean Martin, and more — that he never recorded.

Looking forward to a quiet night before we begin our trip in earnest.En savoir plus
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VoyageurBelgesel program dikkatimi çekti. Güzel olduğunu düşünüyorum..
03/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelGüzeldi … 3 çocuğu babaları hakkında konuşuyordu arada.
03/02/2025RépondreTraduire
11 j’aime
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Jour 2
lundi 3 février 2025 à 10:30
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 5 404 p
États Unis 39.849239, -104.6737939°50’57” N 104°40’26” W
Outbound Leg 1: DEN-IAH
3 février, États Unis ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Busy day at DEN.

We arrived at the Jeppesen Terminal around 9:00a … it took 45 minutes to drop off bags; use the TSA Pre✔️ line to get through security; and take the automated train (packed to the gills) to concourse B.

The longest part of the whole process was the security line. The TSA Pre✔️ lines are no longer as short as they used to be. But it’s included in our Global Entry membership and still worth it … if for no other reason than not having to remove electronics and stuff.

We have 10 minutes to go before boarding is called. It’s a bright sunny day here in Colorado. Anticipate no delays.En savoir plus
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9 j’aime
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Jour 2
lundi 3 février 2025 à 15:49
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 180 p
États Unis George Bush Intercontinental Airport 29.9858, -95.333429°59’9” N 95°20’0” W
Layover @ IAH
3 février, États Unis ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
UA738 was on the ground at Houston IAH 20 minutes ahead of its 2:46p CST scheduled arrival.

Once we deplaned at Terminal C, we used the Skyway — an automated people-mover that runs on an elevated track — to get to Terminal E. Our destination … the UA Polaris Lounge … which we have access to on the outbound leg of our trip thanks to the upgrade we received from United.

We found a couple of empty seats, dumped our bags, and went to the lounge dining room for a tasty, perfectly-portioned lunch.

It’s now 5:30p … we have about two hours to go before boarding is called for the flight that will be taking us to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Time to relax.En savoir plus
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10 j’aime
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Jour 2
lundi 3 février 2025 à 19:13
🌙 73 °F
Altitude: 203 p
États Unis George Bush Intercontinental Airport 29.9884, -95.341429°59’18” N 95°20’29” W
Outbound Leg 2: DEN-EZE
3 février, États Unis ⋅ 🌙 73 °F
The aircraft that will be taking us to Buenos Aires just pulled up to the jetway.

Any other time, I’d be thinking that we will have a delay departing. But this aircraft arrived from London this morning and has been resting here all day.

The UA app gives our route map … looks pretty straightforward.

Last post for today! Next time I post, we will be in Buenos Aires.En savoir plus
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Voyageurİyi uçuşlar...
04/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to Travel🙏🏻 … birazdan 🛬 inşallah.
04/02/2025RépondreTraduire
10 j’aime
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Jour 3
mardi 4 février 2025 à 11:45
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 135 p
Argentine Buenos Aires -34.589507, -58.41250134°35’22” S 58°24’45” W
Welcome to Argentina
4 février, Argentine ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
A slight delay leaving Houston, but otherwise an uneventful flight. The meal service started as soon as the aircraft reached cruising altitude. Tummies sated, we put our seats in lie-flat mode and slept the rest of the flight away … waking about 2 hours before we landed.

9 hours and 23 minutes later, having flown 5,094 miles, we were landing in a drippy Buenos Aires. Although the weather forecast showed rain throughout the day, the only time we got wet was as we were leaving the airport.

Thanks to all the changes Aerolineas Argentinas made to our domestic flights over the past several months, once we cleared immigration and customs, we needed to transfer to a hotel near the domestic airport — AEP. To do that, we used the services of Tienda Léon, which operates a reliable shuttle and remis [car with driver] service. We arranged for a remis right before we left the secure arrivals area … easy peasy.

The ride to Bulnes Eco Suites, in Palermo — a barrio [neighborhood] of Buenos Aires — is just under 20 miles, but the drive — in what passes for ‘smooth traffic’ in the city — took about 70 minutes.

Now, to stay awake for the rest of the day.En savoir plus
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10 j’aime
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Jour 3
mardi 4 février 2025 à 12:22
☁️ 81 °F
Altitude: 151 p
Argentine Obelisk -34.603232, -58.38250734°36’12” S 58°22’57” W
A-Wander in Buenos Aires
4 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
It wasn’t quite noon when we arrived at the Bulnes Eco Suites for our overnight in Buenos Aires. Our room, wasn’t available for check-in. So we dropped off our bags for safe-keeping and went out for a wander.

Our plan was to have lunch at a tapas restaurant and bar recommended to us by our friend, Julio. What that essentially meant was that we followed Google’s directions for the next two hours or so, meandering here and there on our way there. Since we’d spent time in Buenos Aires on previous trips, we were OK with what was an otherwise aimless stroll along mostly residential streets … though we did eventually get to some of the city’s major landmarks.

The good news? We got nearly 13,000 steps under our belt. The bad news? Even though the website said that the tapateria opened at 1:00p, it was still locked up tight when we got there around 3:00p. No matter. We found another restaurant not too far away. We got as far as ordering our meal and were sipping our beverages when the power went off! The waitress came by to apologize and tell us that they could only serve the salad Mui had ordered. Oh well … at least the salad was good … and we did get some tapas to go later to eat-in after we checked into our studio suite at Bulnes.

Early day tomorrow!En savoir plus
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11 j’aime
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Jour 4
mercredi 5 février 2025 à 05:46
🌧 75 °F
Altitude: 59 p
Argentine Jorge Newbery Airport -34.557789, -58.41229634°33’28” S 58°24’44” W
2
Off to Cataratas del Iguazú
5 février, Argentine ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
We’re back at the airport. This time at Aeroparque Jorge Newberry [AEP] … for a domestic flight to Iguazú Falls … a 2-night/3-day stay.

It’s raining in Buenos Aires … deluge, with the wind blowing the rain sideways would be a more accurate description. It doesn’t look like there is rain at our destination today … if you believe forecasts, that is. That it will be steamy — with a high of 94F — goes without saying.En savoir plus
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Voyageur Great photo of you!❤️
05/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to Travel😊
05/02/2025Répondre
12 j’aime
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Jour 4
mercredi 5 février 2025 à 09:55
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 883 p
Argentine Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport -25.731774, -54.47728625°43’54” S 54°28’38” W
Welcome to Puerto Iguazú
5 février, Argentine ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
Although boarding was delayed 30 minutes at AEP, we were in the air on time at 8:10a, leaving the rain behind.

An uneventful flight brought us to Iguazu Falls International Airport [IGR] 9 minutes ahead of schedule. The rain had already passed through … leaving behind tendrils of steam rising from the pavement heated from the sun.

We are going to have a hot couple of days!

By the way, none of the chaos we experienced in 2006/2007 with our Aerolineas Argentinas domestic flights was in evidence today. Everything was easy-peasy. Of course, that could be because of how early our flight was this morning. So, I am going to reserve judgment until after we complete the remaining three flights we’ve got booked with them. In the meantime, they deserve a kudos for today’s experience.En savoir plus
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11 j’aime
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Jour 4
mercredi 5 février 2025 à 10:58
☁️ 88 °F
Altitude: 528 p
Argentine Hito Tres Fronteras -25.595301, -54.59130125°35’43” S 54°35’29” W
2
Iguazú: Hito Tres Fronteras
5 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F
A small aircraft + a small airport + no checked bags = getting off the plane and through the terminal easy-peasy.

Outside the terminal, we were met by Ernesto, our driver for today. The plan, he explained, was to first go to the Triple Frontier Landmark … about 30 minutes from the airport. But with multiple stops along the way for photo-ops, it took us twice as long to get there.

The Triple Frontier is the confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers. These two rivers form the boundaries between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, essentially making the overlook we went to a spot from which one can see three countries.

Photo-ops completed, we drove back the short distance to the Falls Iguazú Hotel & Spa for free time … much appreciated since we got such an early start this morning, and the steamy 94F temp was quite draining.En savoir plus
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Voyageur Fun to play "guess the animal" on the signs...deer, tapir, and coati?
06/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelCorrect 👍🏻
06/02/2025Répondre
9 j’aime
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Jour 4
mercredi 5 février 2025 à 20:57
☁️ 79 °F
Altitude: 696 p
Argentine Puerto Iguazú -25.604737, -54.56436825°36’17” S 54°33’52” W
Iguazú: Madero Tango
5 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Our tour package included a tango show that I’d categorize more as a tango and folklore show.

There was a bit of a communication mishap in that our tickets actually included a 7-course degustation experience. But we were told dinner was not included, so we ate at the hotel before a driver from the tour company picked us up and drove us to the show venue in Puerto Iguazú. Oh well.

The show featured more than just tango dancers … there were also gauchos performing with boleadoras … a lariat with balls at one end … used to catch animals by entangling their legs; drummers performing with Bombo legüeros … a traditional Argentinian drum made of a hollowed tree trunk covered with a cured animal skin; and dancers who would have been the envy of Cirque du Soleil performers.

It was a nice wrap up to our first day in the Iguazú area.En savoir plus
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VoyageurThey make it look simple and stunning!
07/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurHarika...👏👏👏
07/02/2025Répondre
VoyageurLooks like a great performance. Not great when you have just eaten and are then presented with a nice dinner!
08/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelIt was a shame, but we enjoyed the show anyway.
08/02/2025RépondreTraduire
11 j’aime
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Jour 5
jeudi 6 février 2025 à 12:05
☁️ 86 °F
Altitude: 571 p
Argentine Iguaçu Falls -25.6843, -54.44580225°41’3” S 54°26’45” W
1 2 1
Iguazú: Exploring the Argentinian Falls
6 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
This morning we joined 10 other people to explore the Argentinian side of Iguazú Falls.

Once we purchased our admission to the park, Jorge (our guide) got shuttle train reservations for the ride to the last stop to see the infamous Devil’s Throat, the canyon where the Argentinian and Brazilian Falls sort of unite (see map).

Yes, we got a bit wet from the clouds of mist billowing up from the water plunging into the canyon … how can you not when the flow over the falls today measured at 1.7 million liters PER SECOND! (That’s about 450,000 gallons per second.) No matter … it was worth it! Not to mention refreshing.

And then off to do the Circuito Superior … a boardwalk trail that follows the top of the falls for peek-a-boo views through the heavy foliage.

It was 94F with high humidity … miserable, in other words. We were drained by the time we got back to the trailhead. And we needed some sustenance before we could proceed with the on-the-fly plan we had made to further explore the national park.En savoir plus
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Voyageur Awesome photos. On our current cruise it was an overland optional excursion. Didn’t select it with three others we are doing (Safari, Taj, China/Great Wall) but need to add it to our bucket list. I know you had a great time.
10/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelDefinitely a must see … from both sides of the river.
10/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurSTUNNING photos and the sound from the waterfalls takes your breath away!
10/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelA much used word, but it really was awesome.
10/02/2025RépondreTraduire
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12 j’aime
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Jour 5
jeudi 6 février 2025 à 14:49
☁️ 90 °F
Altitude: 440 p
Brésil Foz do Iguaçu -25.6879, -54.440725°41’16” S 54°26’27” W
Iguazú: Gran Aventura
6 février, Brésil ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F
We knew about the boat adventure that sails up Rio Iguazú Inferior … the section of the river below the falls.

We really had no plans for doing it. Instead, we were going to walk the Lower Circuit trail while we waited for those doing the boat ride. But then, it was so darned hot that we sweated buckets. Suddenly, a cool ‘shower’ or two under the falls sounded like a great idea.

Our Iguazú Jungle Gran Aventura started with a 25-minute truck ride over bumpy, dirt roads to the boat embarkation point … which was 200+ steps down from where we were dropped off. Collecting heavy-duty waterproof bags for our valuables, socks, and shoes, we donned life vests. And off we went on a wild and woolly ride that left us soaked to the skin! I’m telling you, there wasn’t an inch of skin left dry! It felt good, though … and the 94F heat dried us out (mostly) by the time we were finished with the return truck ride and rejoined our group.

(I included a couple of videos with this footprint. But for the real McCoy, I have to wait until Mui can process his GoPro video … my phone was safely secured in the dry bag before things got too wet!)En savoir plus
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Sonia GelmanI did it. Lots of fun, but I was completely wet. Rain poncho did nothing.
10/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelYeah … we figured rain gear would not offer any protection so we didn’t even consider taking any with us.
11/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurMuch reading and enjoying photos for me to get to as I am packing for our trip, Even reviewing the highlights will make sure I return soon to savor all this for real. Looks so wonderful,
12/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelAs usual, I am behind … the humid heat in Iguazu was so draining that I didn’t feel like doing much writing or photo processing.
12/02/2025RépondreTraduire
12 j’aime
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Jour 5
jeudi 6 février 2025 à 16:13
☁️ 91 °F
Altitude: 381 p
Argentine Iguaçu Falls -25.6864, -54.444225°41’11” S 54°26’39” W
6
Iguazú: Gran Aventura in Motion
6 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 91 °F
A short snippet of our boat ride to take a ‘falls shower’ … thanks to Mui’s GoPro footage we have a record of our adventure.
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Sonia Gelman Do not need to take a shower
12/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelYeah, we got 2 of them on the boat.
13/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Sonia GelmanGreat video!
12/02/2025RépondreTraduire
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Jour 6
vendredi 7 février 2025 à 11:08
☁️ 86 °F
Altitude: 492 p
Brésil Foz do Iguaçu -25.691663, -54.43803825°41’30” S 54°26’17” W
2
Iguaçu: The Falls from Brazil
7 février, Brésil ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
“Argentina has the falls; we have the view!”

So joke the Brazilians … or so Jorge told us on our way to Brazil to see the falls from a different perspective. I can categorically say that the joke is no joke! It’s the absolute truth. Not that we didn’t enjoy the our experience yesterday in Argentina. But today, seeing the falls from the opposite bank of Rio Iguazú was an exceptional experience. The two sides of the falls complement each other beautifully.

Following the Path of the Falls, we had spectacular views of the Argentinian falls … before arriving at the boardwalk that crosses the river for an up-close-and-wet look at Brazil’s very own Floriano Fall.

By the way, the flow over the falls today was a bit heavier than yesterday … 2 million liters PER SECOND (528,000+ gallons)!En savoir plus
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Voyageur That's a lot of water!
18/02/2025RépondreTraduire
This is a wee bit of water!!! 😅☔️ [Manuela]
19/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Should you go back to the falls, treat yourself to a helicopter flight - we couldn't resist to spend the money back in 2019 and felt this spectacular experience was worth every penny! [Manuela Hofmann]
19/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelWe would have done so had we been on our own.
19/02/2025RépondreTraduire
13 j’aime
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Jour 7
samedi 8 février 2025 à 12:30
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 148 p
Argentine El Gualicho -36.201884, -59.01291236°12’7” S 59°0’46” W
Bye Bye BsAs … Again
8 février, Argentine ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Following a post-Iguazú Falls hotel stay in Buenos Aires [BsAs] last night, this morning we returned to AEP for our next domestic flight with Aerolineas Argentinas.

This time we are flying south to Ushuaia. Everything went smoothly at the airport … no delays … no mishap … bags weighing in at under 15kg (~32 lbs) each as allowed by this airline … time enough to grab a light breakfast before boarding was called.

Uneventful flight so far … two hours to go to reach our destination.En savoir plus
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Erin, I'm just getting caught up with your beautiful photos from Iguazú Falls. What a fantastic experience to see the them from both sides as well as from the soaking water level! Looks like a wonderful trip so far...can't wait for Antarctica! [Mary O. Greenberg]
19/02/2025RépondreTraduire
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Jour 7
samedi 8 février 2025 à 19:15
☁️ 50 °F
Altitude: 141 p
Argentine Ushuaia -54.806441, -68.30982254°48’23” S 68°18’35” W
Welcome to Fin Del Mundo
8 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Welcome to "Ushuaia, fin del mundo, principio de todo."

The slogan of the city, located at the southern tip of Argentina, translates as "Ushuaia, end of the world, beginning of everything."

Though the Chileans would disagree, the Argentinians claim Ushuaia as the world’s southernmost city. The claim is generally accepted as true. You see, although Puerto Williams, Chile is indeed further south, its population is too small for it to qualify as a city. In any event, the city's slogan, is a way for Ushuaia to promote its status as a gateway to Antarctica.

Our flight from BsAs was uneventful; no problem settling into the AirBNB that will be our home for a few days. We’ve done our grocery shopping; we’ve wandered around the city for a bit. As has become a tradition, we’ve gotten our pre-expedition haircuts from Fernando at Staff Stylos. We’ve enjoyed a hearty meal at Isabel Cocina al Disco … watching today’s fleet of Antarctic expedition vessels heading off on their journeys. And we’ve taste-tested two brands of alfajores to sate our sweet tooth.

Time to get some shuteye!En savoir plus
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Jour 8
dimanche 9 février 2025
☁️ 52 °F
Altitude: Niveau de la mer
Argentine Ushuaia -54.8102, -68.314754°48’37” S 68°18’53” W
A-wander in Ushuaia
9 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
This is our fifth time in Ushuaia. We’ve pretty much seen and done much of what the city and area have to offer visitors.

The main reason we give ourselves extra days in Ushuaia prior to embarking an expedition vessel to Antarctica goes back to our first time here … in 2006/2007. On that occasion, one of our gear bags didn’t make it onto the flight from Washington, DC to Buenos Aires … a nonstop flight, no less. It took three days for us to be reunited with it in Ushuaia … just 12 hours before we were to head south to the White Continent. (It’s also why I make an inventory of the contents of each bag … in case I have to shop for missing items.)

Anyway, all went well with yesterday’s flight … nothing went missing. So we used our free time today to relax and just wander around. And also to find the luggage drop-off point for embarkation day.

(P.S. I always take a photo of the St Christopher … today was no exception. Here’s the story of the wreck of the St Christopher for anyone interested … https://ushuaiatravel.com/en/the-saint-christop….)En savoir plus
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Jour 9
lundi 10 février 2025 à 11:50
☀️ 46 °F
Altitude: 26 p
Argentine Caleta Aspirante -54.8135, -68.311554°48’49” S 68°18’41” W
Ushuaia: Birds @ Bahia Encerrada
10 février, Argentine ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F
The plan for today was to go back to Bahia Encerrada, the nature reserve in the city … to visit with the birds and take photos, but also to circumnavigate it for exercise and sightseeing.

But Ushuaia’s notoriously unpredictable weather put paid to those plans.

I was happily taking videos of the South American terns that were fishing at an outflow channel when suddenly the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees and an icy-cold wind started blowing seconds later. Mother Nature started spitting sleet … and then rain … and then snow … and then rinse and repeat.

Time to find some shelter.En savoir plus
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VoyageurEnjoy Ushuaia-one if my favorite places! Your bird photos are amazing! Wish we were there!!!
22/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelWould have been fun to do this trip together.
22/02/2025RépondreTraduire
13 j’aime
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Jour 9
lundi 10 février 2025 à 12:22
☁️ 46 °F
Altitude: 157 p
Argentine Ushuaia -54.806399, -68.31340154°48’23” S 68°18’48” W
Ushuaia: Empanadas & Murals
10 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
To get out of the chill and wind that developed suddenly, we headed up to Doña Lupita, an empanada place that came highly recommended. We were not steered wrong.

After a casual, but tasty lunch, we wandered some of the side streets to check out the murals we had glimpsed on our way to the restaurant. The bonus? The sun came out briefly and helped to warm us up.En savoir plus
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Had empanadas there in 2022! [Bob]
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelWe have had just empanadas here in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, and 2023. You can still have empanadas as long as you order a main course as well.
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
11 j’aime
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Jour 9
lundi 10 février 2025 à 19:11
🌧 43 °F
Altitude: 220 p
Argentine Ushuaia -54.803407, -68.30609754°48’12” S 68°18’22” W
2
Ushuaia: Our Kaupé Tradition
10 février, Argentine ⋅ 🌧 43 °F
Kaupé = We are home … in the local indigenous language.

Having dinner at this family-owned and operated restaurant is one of our pre-Antarctica expedition traditions. The ambiance is warm. The food is delicious. And we are always treated like we are one of the family. Indeed, it feels like we are home.

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For those interested …

Appetizers: Mussels; Caprese Salad
Main Courses: Grilled Octopus; Chilean Sea Bass
Dessert: Wedges of chocolate mouse on a bed of dulce de lecheEn savoir plus
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Sonia Gelman Delicious!
22/02/2025Répondre
Two to TravelIt definitely was.
22/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurYum!
24/02/2025Répondre
10 j’aime
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer
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Jour 9
lundi 10 février 2025 à 23:25
🌧 37 °F
Altitude: 141 p
Argentine Ushuaia -54.806445, -68.30980454°48’23” S 68°18’35” W
Ortelius in Ushuaia
10 février, Argentine ⋅ 🌧 37 °F
Ortelius — the Oceanwide Expeditions vessel that will be taking us on our polar adventure — is snug in its berth at the pier in Ushuaia.

Embarkation day is nearly upon us. One more sleep on land tonight and we will likely be rocked to sleep at sea tomorrow night.En savoir plus
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8 j’aime
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Jour 10
mardi 11 février 2025 à 12:16
🌬 39 °F
Altitude: 62 p
Argentine Ushuaia -54.80873, -68.31419554°48’31” S 68°18’51” W
Ushuaia: One Last Wander
11 février, Argentine ⋅ 🌬 39 °F
Rat-a-tat-tat! Throughout the night heavy rain pounded the picture window.

What we didn’t know until we pulled open the drapes when we woke up was if that rain had changed to snow at some point. It had not. The ‘major snow event’ forecasted to bring 3” of the white stuff to Ushuaia had remained in the mountains.

Checking out of the apartment at 10:00a, we Ubered to Club 1210 on Avenida Maipú … the designated luggage drop off. Embarkation of Ortelius was slated for 2:00p. We had planned for this … we would go for one last wander around the city and have empanadas for lunch.

Coffee break at Tante Sara to get out of the soggy weather. Lunch … a tradition no more as El Turco, our favorite empanada place, now requires that you order a main course as well as empanadas … boo, hiss! To make up for that disappointment, a delicious sweet treat at Almendra … which very much lived up to its slogan … “the name of good ice cream.”

And finally … time to embark Ortelius.En savoir plus
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10 j’aime
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Jour 10
mardi 11 février 2025 à 14:05
🌬 41 °F
Altitude: 49 p
Argentine Ushuaia -54.807201, -68.30419954°48’26” S 68°18’15” W
Remote Weddell Sea
11 février, Argentine ⋅ 🌬 41 °F
If the ice conditions allow it once we cross the Antarctic Circle, this is where we will be going!

Red is not a good color for us!
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VoyageurOh no! Fingers crossed!
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelI’ll give you a hint … we’ve gotten further south in the Weddell Sea than any other pax ship has before. The ice is at least being good in that respect.
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
11 j’aime
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Jour 10
mardi 11 février 2025 à 15:55
☁️ 41 °F
Altitude: Niveau de la mer
Argentine Bahía Ushuaia -54.816001, -68.260154°48’58” S 68°15’36” W
6
And We Are Off!
11 février, Argentine ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
Embarked Ortelius … ✅

Settled into our cabin … ✅

Got reacquainted with the ship … ✅

Completed the mandatory safety briefing and muster drill … ✅

Enjoyed the sailaway from the open decks … ✅

Stopped off in the Beagle Channel to pick up the helicopters and Chilean pilots that will be accompanying us on this journey … ✅

Attended the daily briefing; met the expedition team; and learned that we should have a fairly smooth first day crossing to South Georgia Island tomorrow … with waves in the 2.5-3 m (8-10 ft range) … ✅

Enjoyed our first meal aboard Ortelius … ✅

Attended the mandatory IAATO and zodiac operations briefings … ✅

Ready to be rocked to sleep … ✅

Our adventure has begun!En savoir plus
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VoyageurWishing you smooth seas…
24/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to Travel🙏🏻
25/02/2025Répondre
Voyageur You booked this with Oceanwide? Have you received good service from them?
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelYes, direct with Oceanwide … but thru their US office in Houston. Excellent service … this is our second unique itinerary with them. They are a strictly expedition focused company. No luxuries … just comfortable.
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurThanks.... Good to have another option to look at. We are currently very keen on NatGeo/Lindblad, but are open to other ideas.
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to TravelIf you have never been to the Antarctic, I don’t know that I would recommend this itinerary or the Ross Sea one. They have a lot of days at sea because of the distances to be covered and they are risky, remote itineraries. The best itinerary for first time IMHO is one that takes in the Peninsula and South Georgia, and then branch out from there if you want to return for more. That itinerary is the standard tour. You also need to weigh your wants and needs with what the operator offers. If you want a straightforward no frills itinerary, Oceanwide, for example, is good. If you want a bit of luxury (drinks included with meals, heated floors in the bathroom, etc) then Quark is good. More luxury … well, then you get into the Silversea category. I’m not sure where NatGeo/Lindblad fall these days, but you can use what you know about them for comparison. You also want to keep your ship as small as possible … 100 or less is ideal. Happy planning!
25/02/2025RépondreTraduire
VoyageurThanks, I particularly want to see the Falklands and South Georgia, so the "standard" three week itinerary seems like the best one for our first time to Antarctica.
26/02/2025RépondreTraduire
Two to Travel👍🏻
26/02/2025Répondre
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