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.All Trips / Argentina / South America
The Train at the End of the World, Ushuaia
One of the better known attractions in Ushuaia is a journey on a short (5 mi – 8 km) but scenic stretch of railway known as ‘Tren del Fin del Mundo,’ or the ‘Train of the End of the World.’ As Ushuaia is the southern most city in the world and this the southernmost railway on earth, the name is not as hyperbolic as it might originally seem.
The first tracks were constructed in the late 19th century to transport supplies to the penitentiary being built in Ushuaia. These tracks were made of wood and used for ox-pulled carts, but by the early twentieth century they had been upgraded to iron rails that conveyed a steam …
.All Trips / Argentina / South America
This post is a compilation of some of the sights we encountered during our wanderings around this part of the city. One of these features Pizzurno Palace, also known as the Sarmiento Palace (home to the Ministry of Education).
Recoleta is a place families live and play, with some nice parks and green spaces. There’s some interesting public art and …
Rambling around Recoleta
Recoleta is an upscale residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires, where my wife and I stayed during our visit to that city. The area has interesting historic architecture and is where you’ll find the Recoleta Cemetery and the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church. Some of the most expensive real estate in Argentina is in Recoleta.
Plazio Sarmiento (Ministry of Education), Recoleta
This post is a compilation of some of the sights we encountered during our wanderings around this part of the city. One of these features Pizzurno Palace, also known as the Sarmiento Palace (home to the Ministry of Education).
Recoleta is a place families live and play, with some nice parks and green spaces. There’s some interesting public art and …
Tagged Recoleta
.All Trips / Argentina / South America
A Visit to the Maritime and Prison Museum, Ushuaia
The Maritime and Prison Museum was originally constructed in the late 19th century as a prison (by prisoners). It consists of 5 two-story wings built onto a central hub. The prison became the most southerly situated jail in the world and was where Buenos Aires sent prisoners it didn’t want to house locally — sort of like the English sending prisoners to Australia.
The prison had 380 cells which housed up to 800 inmates ranging from political prisoners to murderers. In some ways the prison was reformative, prisoners receiving a basic education and pay for work performed (which they could take with them when — or if — they ever left). The prison ran various shops that served the needs of …
Tagged Maritime and Prison Museum, museum, Ushuaia
“Pic of the Week”, October 2, 2020: The Coin Artist, Ushuaia
In a park along Ushuaia’s waterfront is a small market featuring small “mom and pop” gift shops, like this one. Most sell junk like crappy t-shirts and hats, but this one caught our eye.
This gentleman is an artist. He takes coins from around the world, meticulously cuts out the artwork within them to make lovely pendents featuring animals, flowers, buildings, heroes, etc. — a large assortment of beautiful items. I’d only in decades of traveling seen one other display of its type, and that many years ago.
My wife is extremely fond of horses and purchased several horse pendants for herself and as gifts. The artist was appreciative and pleased to know his handiwork was traveling to California and Washington state.
(Clock …
Oct 1, 2020
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.All Trips / Argentina / Food / South America
Chocolateria Ovejitas de la Patagonia, Ushuaia
Ushuaia, even during its summer, is a cool, wet and windy city. My wife and I spent several days here and wandered many of its streets and attractions. During our exploration we came across this rather cute chocolate and coffee/tea shop, and thought a jolt of warm caffeine and sugar was just what we needed.
We were pleasantly surprised by what we found inside. A large and beautifully presented selection of sweet treats as nice as any I can recall seeing. Huge slabs of chocolate and fudge dominated, with bon-bons and a large variety of gift items. We settled for a huge slab of delicious cake (to share) and nice cups of cappuccino. We took along a few slices of chocolate …
.All Trips / Argentina / South America
Near the MALBA, Buenos Aires
While visiting Buenos Aires, my wife and I wanted to see the MALBA, a museum of modern Latin-American art that came highly recommended. It was a rainy day and when our taxi dropped us off at the steps of the MALBA we were disappointed to find it closed for the day. So it goes — should have called ahead before coming.
Not wanting to waste the morning, we decided to walk around the upscale Palermo Chico neighborhood in which the museum is situated. It’s a safe neighborhood — not all areas of Buenos Aires are recommended for tourists — and we had no firm plans about where to go. We just wanted to explore a little.
A few blocks south on Ave …
Tagged Barolo Palace, Buenos Aires, MALBA, Palermo, Palermo Chico
.All Trips / Argentina / Chile / Food / South America
Exploring the Fjords of Patagonia: 8) Feasting at Sea
My final post for this adventure into the Patagonian fjords of Chile focuses on the very wonderful food we were served aboard the Australis. We received three meals a day in the ship’s dining room mostly (as I recall) buffet style, including hearty breakfasts with a large choice of items, a tasty lunch, but no question the highlight of our culinary day was dinner. We had four dinners aboard the Australis and I found each of them photogenic enough to be “documented”. I never planned on making a blog of what I ate, so I didn’t photograph everything — just those items that looked wonderful (and were!)
Besides the very tasty meals, the service of our crew throughout the ship was …
Tagged Appetizer, Australis, dessert, Entrée, fjordlands
.All Trips / Chile / South America
The famous British exploration vessel, HMS Beagle, visited the area twice. The first time was during her 1826 – 1830 voyage wherein Captain Fitzroy charted many of the channels in the Patagonian fjords, making for safer sailing of the region. The return journey lasted from 1831 …
Exploring the Fjords of Patagonia: 7) Wulaia Bay
Our final stop before the Australis headed to port in Ushuaia was at historic Wulaia Bay, a pretty spot visited by many navigators over the centuries.
The area around Wulaia Bay has long been settled by man, with archaeological studies showing evidence of human habitation for more than 10,000 years, these being the nomadic Yahgan aboriginal people. The Yaghan population was strong 150 years ago but today has been largely decimated; less than 2000 individuals remain.
Journey to Wulaia Bay
The famous British exploration vessel, HMS Beagle, visited the area twice. The first time was during her 1826 – 1830 voyage wherein Captain Fitzroy charted many of the channels in the Patagonian fjords, making for safer sailing of the region. The return journey lasted from 1831 …
Tagged Australis, Beagle, fjordlands, Patagonia, Yaghan
