After breakfast, it was time to say goodbye to the Fridtnof Nansen. Our luggage was taken to the airport. We only had hand luggage and were distributed to the buses. First up were those who were flying straight home.
- Photo top left: the suitcases are loaded onto the appropriate bus.
- Photo top right: one last selfie on board
- Photo bottom left: The last breakfast of our team of three. Left Claudia, centre Susanna, right me
- Photo centre right: part of the expedition team came to say goodbye
- Photo bottom right: Claudia on the left, Milena from the expedition team in the centre, me on the right
As I made a stopover in Buenos Aires, I still had enough time to photograph the harbour from the ship.
- Photo left: Ushuaia harbour with other ships and the white buses waiting for us
- Photos right: Harbour and view of Ushuaia
We first took the bus to a car park outside the harbour area. We had about 1 hour to discover Ushuaia on our own. Claudia really wanted to see the penguin wall (photo bottom right) and the Ushuaia sign (photo top right). First we went to the penguin wall. Next to it was a souvenir shop where Claudia bought the rest of her presents. After that we had about 30 minutes to look for the Ushuaia sign. It was quite a challenge. Claudia and I had to run to get back to the bus on time. I also managed to take some nice photos of Ushuaia during the race. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to read which memorial it was (photo top left). The old boat (photo centre right) was a little over half way. We quickly took photos at the Ushuaia sign (photo top right) and then ran back to the bus. I quickly turned around again and took a photo of Ushuaia (photo centre left). There was also time for one last longing look at Fridtjof Nansen (photo bottom left). Sweating profusely and a little out of breath, we were the last to leave. The bus driver laughed when he saw us both come running with our heads red. Then it was off to the airport.
Patience was required at the airport. We had our suitcases quickly and then we had to queue to check in. That really took a lot of nerve. At first it was still closed, but when someone tried to get to the counter, they were unable to operate the computers. Allegedly a malfunction, but they remained quite calm. Some passengers were quite annoyed and when it finally started, they needed several minutes for each passport and piece of luggage. When it was finally my turn, they also had problems with my German passport. Somehow the system didn’t recognise me, but eventually they found me. Then we went through security and waited again for our charter flight to Buenos Aires. While we were waiting, I received a message that my flight from Buenos Aires to Amsterdam the next day had been cancelled due to snow chaos in Europe. I then decided to ask the local tour guide in Buenos Aires, as I had booked the whole package including flights via Hurtigruten Expedition.
The flight went smoothly and in Buenos Aires the tour guides were waiting again and we went back to the Hilton. As we arrived in the afternoon this time, the rooms were ready for us to move into. I immediately enquired about my flight home. They hadn’t been informed yet, but they would enquire straight away. Before the evening dance, it was clear that I would be flying to Zurich via Frankfurt with the other German passengers. As the flight didn’t leave until the evening, I was able to book the boat trip later. However, I had to pay for this in cash and in euros. I had dollars and Swiss francs with me but no euros. Fortunately, Claudia still had enough with her and lent me the money.
Then we went to the tango evening at the Café de los Angelitos. First there was something to eat and then a tango show.
The food was very delicious.
- Photo top left: Pumpkin ravioli, blue cheese and walnuts in spinach pastry with fillet sauce and vegetables
- Photo top right: Dulce de Leche – mousse with a soft and frothy texture
- Photo bottom left: Pavlova – crispy meringue filled with whipped cream, red berries and honey
- Photo centre: baked duo of “Argentinian empanadas”: savoury pastries filled with meat and vegetables or cheese and onions
- Photo bottom right: Angus steak (bife de chorizo) with rustic potatoes, rosemary, tomato confit and caramelised onions
The café was very impressive. A very cosy café at the front and a small theatre at the back.
- Photo above left: beautiful picture directly above the entrance door
- Photo top right: the café
- Photo middle right: Behind the café room is the theatre. We sat upstairs on the balcony and had a clear view of the stage.
- Photo centre and bottom left: Tango dancing individually and in a group
- Photo bottom right: Farewell to the dancers
It was a very nice evening and on the last day, after breakfast, the river trip was on the programme.
On the way to Tigre we stopped at a beautiful park (photo above right / left, photo below centre). Only the marketplace was closed today (photo bottom right). When we saw the car (photo below left) on the way to Tigre, we were amazed that it was still travelling at all.
At the landing stage for the boat tour there was an amusement park next to Tigre Schild (photos below).
Some impressions from the Cruise of Paraná River Delta in Tigre Buenos Aires. On the way we saw many different houses, some of which were for sale.
I don’t think environmental protection is so important here. I assume so, as I have seen many rusty and sunken ships along the way.
On the way we saw many boats, private boats (photo above), police boats (photo centre left and below) and a water boat (photo centre right). All the houses have no drinking water and so have to buy the water. For this reason, there are many waterboats that call at all the houses.
After returning to the hotel, there was still time for a short final tour of the city.
A couple danced a tango on the bridge. It was a lovely farewell to this exciting city.
Then we went to the airport. Checking in our luggage for the return flight meant queuing and waiting (photo above centre / right). When that was finally done, Claudia and I looked for the security checkpoint. As the airport was under construction and there were no signs indicating the diversions, we first ended up at Maradona (photo top left) before heading to the duty free shop after the security check (photo centre middle). I bought a few souvenirs there and then we went to the gate (photo bottom left) where our plane (photo bottom right) arrived.
Then I returned home with many impressions of an unforgettable journey. While I was still writing the blog months after my return, I relived this trip.