Day 106. Friday, 13 December, 2024. In Ushuaia.

Museum of the end of the World

Another route march into town this morning. It was a chilly, cloudy day, trying to rain as we walked into Ushuaia centre. Our first stop was the Museum of the end of the World. Telling Tierra del Fuego’s cultural and natural history.

Signage was in Spanish and English with displays showing the lives of the native inhabitants in the early days and the coming of the Europeans. Sealers and whalers, after oil for street lighting back in Europe and Anglican missionaries spreading the gospel. Also bringing disease which killed many natives.

There was a large display of stuffed animal and birds. Particularly birds, of which there are many species, sea birds, raptors and land living varieties.

The museum is spread over 2 different buildings. The second building, a couple of blocks down the street, is mainly devoted to ship wrecks. The building has had several different uses. As the governor’s abode and various municipal offices.

The principal display showed the foundering of the cruise ship the Monte Cervantes in 1930. This became known as the Titanic of the South. On 22 January, 1930 she departed Ushuaia and within 30 minutes struck some submerged rocks. The ship could not be dislodged and began to sink. The lifeboats were lowered and 1,200 passengers and 350 crew removed from the ship.

The captain returned to the ship and was lost when she rolled over and sank. The only casualty. Meanwhile the passengers, who outnumbered the residents of Ushuaia at the time, were accommodated in private houses and public buildings, until being rescued by another ship.

The museum is located opposite the port, so after our visit we looked for the famous “Fin del Mundo” (End of the World) sign. After taking the mandatory photo we looked at the cruise ships moored today. The sister ship to the Vega, on which we are travelling, the Diana, had just arrived in port.

By this time we were hungry so found a restaurant for some lunch. Pizza. Next Dennis wanted to buy a pair of jeans so we looked for clothes shops. Everything was closed. We wondered if it was a holiday.

Shopping

We did, eventually, find an open shop and Dennis successfully managed to find some jeans. After trying on a number of pairs of differing designs. Some very narrow legs, some with baggy pockets and some full of fashionable holes, a well fitting pair were found. The lady shop assistant advised us it wasn’t a holiday, that some shops close during the middle of the day, as they are open from 4 to 9pm.

Collecting our Antarctic Gear

Our main reason for coming into town was to collect our Antarctic clothing from the travel agent. Wayfinder Adventures are loaning us waterproof pants and gloves. They have also given us a number of other goodies. Hats and scarves. Reusable coffee mugs. Note books and a book on the different bird species we may see, as well as some post cards.

As I mentioned the other day, I only have one pair of shoes. So, as it was now after 4pm and the shops were open, I purchased another pair. The selection wasn’t great. They are a sort of loafer pair with a silver buckle across the front. Not what I would normally choose, but smarter than my trainers.

We started the long walk back to our camp. It was raining and windy, and we had bags to carry. Coming across a taxi rank, we decided to take one. We still needed a few items from a supermarket, so we got the taxi driver to drop us at the mini-market about half a kilometer from the camp.

We just needed more milk, cheese, bread and bananas to keep us going until Sunday. Back at the camp we lit the fire in the cabin and relaxed with a cup of tea, before returning to Poki to cook dinner. Tomorrow we will pack for the cruise and tidy Poki.

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