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Well we finished up our tour in Usuhaia the world´s southernmost city - and just to provide evidence of this fact should any of you require it we had our passports stamped not once but three times with `Ushuaia - the end of the world.´
Before getting to Usuhaia we had a couple of short stops on route from Torres del Paine. After three days and nights of the brisk winds and cool - well frankly freezing cold - temperatures of Torres we were all looking forward to the hotel in Punta Arenas. First we delighted in the exploits of some extremely small penguins burrowing into the hillside and goofing around on the shore. As we were only in Punta Arenas for one night there isn´t a lot to say, we revelled in the warmth of our room, ate some tasty seafood, visited the statue of Ferdinand Magellan but didn´t kiss the requisite lady´s feet.
A generous late start was offered by Simon the driver (otherwise known as The Stig) meant we didn´t get on our way until 8:30am. We were off to Rio Grande the last stop before Tierra del Fuego. On the way we stopped at a ghost estancia (bit like a ghost town but an estancia instead) which also contained a ship wreck. I attempted some atmospheric black and white photos (I can assure you now the fluff on the lens that I can´t seem to shift will add to the atmosphere). Again as we were only in Rio Grande one night we don´t have much to say, to be honest I´m glad we only stayed one night! With another late start the next morning we stayed up late enjoying a large bowl of wine and muchos Quilmes.
The late start wasn´t late enough for us, we gave breakfast a miss to allow enough room to cram in as many pastries as possible at the bakery on the way down to Ushuaia - a national institution. In Ushuaia a quick lunch and siesta saw out the afternoon and in the evening we went to a Milonga (tango show). Russ was gutted we weren´t early enough for lessons but we happily sat back and watched those that knew what they were doing dance the night away.
The last bit of exercise on the tour was a stroll through the forest in Tierra del Fuego National Park. This culminated in reaching the end of the Panamerican Highway over 3000km from where it begins in Alaska. That night was our farewell dinner we then hit the irish bar which is surprisingly popular with locals. Michael finally repaid his bet with a suicide tequila and Bhav got of a little more lightly with a generous shot of whisky. We moved over to Dreamland for some cheesy dancing and Russ topped this with an MC Hammer slot! At 5am it seemed sensible to call it a night.
Needless to say we missed the Beagle Channel cruise the next day but I think everyone who made it coulkd barely see/speak anyway. A second more sedate farewell evening reached its peak with an arm wrestling competition. Unfortunately my stringy arms let The Browns down but Russ was a gracious victor.
Ushuaia is a strange place, everything is quite expensive as it´s so remote but very touristy. It´s the main port for cruises leaving for Antarctica but not what you would call an exciting place to spend a few days. We were all moving onto Buenos Aires next on different flights, so as people slowly left we basically ate and drank the last two days away.
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