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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
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 …
“Pic of the Week”, December 14, 2018: A fine Crab Dinner in Ushuaia
I have to admit that before my trip to Patagonia I didn’t know the waters of the southern Pacific were home to king crab, much like you find off the coast of Alaska. While walking around the streets of Ushuaia, we found a number of restaurants that specialized in the cooking and serving of these large crustaceans. These places seemed busy and very popular with tourists, especially the Japanese groups, so my wife and I decided to splurge and share one of these monsters for our last dinner in southern Argentina.
The beasts are sold by the kilogram (sorry, can’t remember the price, but it wasn’t cheap). The crab is cooked and served to you intact on a large platter, as …
Dec 13, 2018
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“Pic of the Week”, September 21, 2018: Views from Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. It lies on the tip of Tierra del Fuego, off the Beagle Channel, and is surrounded by the Martial Mounts. This excellent location allows you to enjoy dramatic scenes of the sea, mountains and forests of southern Patagonia.
We spent a few days in Ushuaia after completing a memorable cruise through the Patagonian fjords. The weather was quite changeable and scenes of the city were often dramatic, especially when viewed from the hill where our hotel was located.
Ushuaia has a modern international airport and is the closest deep-water port to Antarctica. The last photos below are some of my favorites, with “Godbeams” of light penetrating the heavy cloud of a clearing storm.
(Click on …
Sep 20, 2018
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