After rounding Cape Horn the previous evening and traveling overnight we arrived at 6:00 am on Monday November 26, 2007, day 11 of our cruise, in Ushuaia. The Sunrise: was at 5:01 am and Sunset: was 9:39 pm. We have a short day in Ushuaia leaving about 1:00 pm.
Ushuaia is located on the north banks of the Beagle Channel in Argentina. Although most of main island (Tierra del Fuego) that is home to the city actually belongs to Chile. Ushuaia at 55 degrees latitude south,holds the distinction of being "the southernmost city in the world". The indigenous people were the Yahgan, Alacalufes (Canoe Indians), Ona and the Aush (or eastern ONA). Despite the inclement weather, they wore little or no clothing. Constant fires , which gave the region its name, kept them warm. Early navigators from Europe disliked the violent weather and hazardous seas, which impeded their travel towards Asia. So, it wasn't until 1870 that the South American Missionary Society, arriving from the Falkland Islands, opened the area to European settlement. Although there were minor gold and lumber booms, until 1947 Ushuaia was known as the site of a large penal colony.
Ushuaia is set at the foot of the mountains and is a spectacular site. The first settlement ocurred on January 14, 1869 when a house built in the Falkland Islands was delivered and installed for the first people to live in.
Since we had not seen any penquins on this trip we thought a tour was in order. The tour we selected is to travel by catamaran along the Beagle Channel east. Heading out of Ushuaia Bay we got a great view of the mountain range on the backside of Ushuaia. We hope to see some Birds, Sea Lions and finally Magellan penguins
After 24 hours since leaving the Falkland Islands, we arrived at the famous Cape Horn. The weather was overcast, windy and cold. We circled the Cape and did a Sea Voyage around the various Islands. We all received a Certificate that we circled the Cape of Horn.
After seeing the birds and sea lions we headed to Hammer island where we'll see a colony of Magellanic Penguins.
There are 17 species of penguins in the world. The Megellanic penquins are native to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. They have approximately 27 feathers per sq centimeter. They average 45 cm in height and weigh about 3.15 kg.
On returning to Ushuaia we received some impressive views of the Ushuaia city and the Backdrop of the Martial range in the background.
After 24 hours since leaving the Falkland Islands, we arrived at the famous Cape Horn. The weather was overcast, windy and cold. We circled the Cape and did a Sea Voyage around the various Islands. We all received a Certificate that we circled the Cape of Horn.
