Day 124: January 31, 2025 – Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, at the southern tip of South America, is widely known as The End of The World. But technically, that’s not accurate, since there is an entire continent that lies further south. It’s true that for most travelers this is the end of the road and the last city. But it’s also the gateway for cruises into Antarctica.
I was on one of those cruises last year, but our visit was of the drive-by variety, where you anchor for a few hours to admire the stunning landscape but don’t get to disembark. I always hoped I could someday set foot on the 7th continent. (Antarctica was on the original itinerary for the Odyssey, but it has been postponed for several years, and it too did not include disembarking on land.) So when we arrived in Ushuaia and I heard from one of my shipmates (thanks Silja!) about a last-minute opening on another ship headed to Antarctica, I didn’t hesitate to jump ship. (Yes, that is literally.) And this time it will be the real thing – we’ll have zodiac boats that will take us from the ship onto land.
I will be embarking a Quark Expedition ship tomorrow and rejoining the Odyssey at another port 11 days later. I am beyond excited, and a little bit nervous. We have the treacherous Drake passage to get through, famous for its rogue waves and choppy waters. And then there is the Antarctic rite of passage, the REAL polar plunge, which I really want to do but which is terrifying for me.
But a chance to set foot on the 7th continent? Impossible to pass up.
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