The shelter of the Beagle Channel was a welcome change from the stormy seas that we had been sailing through in the last three days. Suddenly, we all became experts in reading weather and wind charts, calculating the frequency and height of swells, and we admired the fantastic crew on board who diligently carried on with their duties.
We entered the calmed waters of the Beagle Channel by 8 a.m. this morning. This body of water that stretches at the far south of the large island of Tierra del Fuego is about 140 miles long, running from west-east and marking the international boundary between Argentina and Chile. Ushuaia greeted us in its full silver and white regalia; winter is fast approaching and the peaks of the southern portion of the Andes are covered in fresh snow. The southernmost city in the world satisfied our interests in stretching legs in terra-firma and acquiring last-minute mementos of our voyage.
At the captain’s farewell cocktail party we had the chance to say goodbye to old and new shipmates; promises of keeping in touch and planning future adventures together were heard at every table.
And finally, packing… that dreaded moment that every traveler has to go through. Our adventure has come to an end and our minds are turning to other exciting destinations or heading home. National Geographic Explorer is also packing, as she sails soon to the shipyard in Bremerhaven (Germany). We all look forward to the next season on board the National Geographic Explorer. Safe travels everyone!
