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Welcome to the End of the World


From one end of Argentina to the other. La Quiaca is in the north, at the crossing to Bolivia. I can't take any credit for knowing this without having made a quick trip to GoogleLand a minute ago.  
  
I spent an hour this afternoon going through my photographs of Ushaia, one of the two most southernmost cities in South America. It sits on the Beagle Channel. The Straits of Magellan are to the north and to the south the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. It's everything you were taught in elementary school geography, and most likely have forgotten. I know I did. One thing I wasn't taught was that the end of the earth -- el fin del mundo -- was astoundingly beautiful.
 
I'm not a morning person, but we were encouraged by the ship's staff to make sure to get up early and see the sunrise. I can't remember the last time I woke for the sunrise, but I didn't want to miss a minute that might be memorable, and I joined the early risers on the deck. The weather forecast wasn't optimistic, but it turned to be a beautiful and clear day and my reward was this sunrise.
 
The sun has risen and we were given the gift of sunshine.

It's difficult to choose what activities will maximize my time when I have one day -- actually a little less than a full day -- to see a place I've come thousands of miles to visit. I chose a boat trip to a penguin rookery -- a place where penguins hatch their eggs and raise their young. I have many penguin pictures from my trip, but this is one of my favorites. I was pleased I was able to capture the sea bird in flight on the left and the mountains in the background.


When I think back on my visit to Ushaia three things stand out. The first is the beauty of the area, mountains, sea and sky. The second is seeing penguins for the first time and the third is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. I think this last is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. I am a fan of lighthouses, but this one is incomparable.

 
My view as the boat returned to Ushaia via the Beagle Channel. After our return I visited Ushaia and enjoyed an ice cream cone -- we had a sixty degree day -- and spent time perusing lots of penguin bookmarks, t-shirts and souvenirs to take home. It was hard to resist and a few penguin bookmarks did come back to New York with me.  
 
 I am frequently asked why I like to travel. I realize the answer, "Because I do." isn't a very satisfactory answer. But looking at these pictures gives me the words to answer that question. Sometimes I need to find the beauty/the mystery at the end of the world.
 
As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!

12 comments

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Oh Carol! The beauty of that sunrise and the sky down there is amazing!

Thank you for sharing this trip with us! Thank you for loving to travel!

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous pictures. What a trip!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I first noticed the bird before I "saw" the penguins in the one photo. I love lighthouses too. The sunrise is amazing.
I have never liked to travel but I sure enjoy the photos of friends who do! So glad you were able to make this trip.

Terra said...

I like the photo with the penguin rookery, the sea bird in flight, the sea and the mountains, you captured it all.

TARYTERRE said...

Being able to revisit a place you've been through photographs and movies is wonderful indeed. Thank you for sharing. When you posted that sunrise I could almost imagine myself being there too. Just spectacular.

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing your experience. Your pictures and words inspire me to add a trip like this to my bucket list (if only I had one).

Theresa said...

Oh the beauty! Sunrise picture is SO beautiful and my next favorite is the lighthouse:) Makes me wanna go there:) Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The lighthouse is spectacular...we love them too! And it's nice to think about what were the best moments and most beautiful photos. We see so much on a trip. And we travel to see things we would never be able to see from our living room. Adventure! Hugs!

Jane Housewright said...

This armchair traveler enjoyed her morning cup of joe looking at your wonderful memories! Thanks, Carol!

Sr. Ann Marie said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful descriptions! Thank you for sharing both!

Melinda said...

Pretty pics.
Happy weekend.

M : )

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What beautiful skies at the end of the world! I'm pinning the lighthouse to my Lighthouse Pinterest Board