We join the other travelers and board our ship

Friday, December 18, 2015
Beagle Channel, Argentina
Fri Dec 18
-Finn deservedly slept in late while I packed . We got up and caught the tail end of breakfast n then down to the room to shower n pack up the last bits. The views from the terrace in the restaurant were stunning with the mountains surrounding the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia. 
-we kept an eye out our window and saw the flight from Santiago land that carried the other members of our cruise. Our friendly ride to the airport arrived promptly and we were soon joined with our cruise group at the airport. 
-we boarded a bus and then were told that there was a problem with immigration and the other passengers would be delayed clearing customs. Sigh. Another wait at an airport. So we got off the bus and walked around and took pictures of the mountains. 
-at last the bus was full and we drove off to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Our guide was a third generation Ushuaia native and told us how the town was about 1 thousand people when her mother was born in 1947 and then 6 thousand when she born in 1977. Now it is 70 thousand due to industry that has moved here due to tax breaks . Interestingly tourism is not the main industry. 
-along the bus ride she told us about the days of the prison, train and logging. We also learned about the local and introduced flora and fauna. Beavers, rabbits and salmon seem to be a big problem
-we exited the bus at the end of the Pan American highway and took our picture. Then a short hike to the catamaran where lunch was waiting for us
-the cruise to the ship was pleasant and scenic and we made small talk with our fellow voyagers. All are well traveled and adventurous.
-we got dropped off at the pier and gathered our luggage and up the gang plank we went. We were shown to our room which seemed luxurious but small. Now that we have unpacked and stowed our luggage there is plenty of room and luxury. :-)
-we had the mandatory safety briefing and then a lavish dinner and meeting more travelers. We also toured the ship a little and saw the observation deck, bridge, gym, sauna, hot tub and more. 
-At last we went to bed and had a sound slumber while the ship steamed out the Beagle Channel and turned south towards Antarctica
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