Barbara’s Retirement Adventures

To prepare for my trip, I had watched the film “Scott of the Antarctic” as well as most of frozen Planet 1 and 2 and on the journey I read Ranolph Fiennes book on Shackleton and Sara Wheeler's Terra 'Incognito'. I remember the feeling as I flew into Ushuaia, that after all the months of preparation I couldn't quite believe that I was actually going to Antarctica.  I was pleased to see my suitcase arrive safely in Ushuaia and was met by Rumbo Sur the transfer company for Quark who took me to my hotel. I had booked 2 extra nights so I could see the national park. There was a slight problem checking into the hotel sadly my room was not ready; so they moved me to their 5 star hotel next door with pool and spa! Because the hotel was quite high up there were lovely views across the Beagle Channel. The view was constantly changing rain, snow on the mountains and sunshine on the sea.  I had booked a tour of the National Park near Ushuaia with Rumbo Sur. As I joined the bus I fo...

I could write so much about the days I spent in Antarctica, but here are the highlights.  Neumayer Channel, Damoy Point, Goudier Island (Port Lockroy) and Jougla Point  It was amazing standing on deck before breakfast as we sailed along the peninsula, I started to see penguins swimming in groups and a Weddell seal lying on a block of ice.  Was struck by how blue parts of the ice was. We navigated into the Neumayer channel and made our way to the first landing .  The weather was truly Antarctic! Horizontal snow, wet and cold. We made our way around Damoy Point s ome people were camping on the island whilst they renovated the expedition hut - I didn't envy them. In the afternoon we went to Port Lockroy We first visited the shop and Post Office and the museum and saw how the early scientists lived. Then we board a zodiac to go to another part of the island. On the way there our guide spotted a leopard seal right up next to one of the zodiacs. We watched the seal swim ...

  Iguazu Falls It was an early start to go to Iguazu Falls, a  UNESCO site and  one the 7 wonders of the world. However I didn’t have the best start as the transport organised by the private tour company  (Signature Tours)  never turned up and there was no response from any of the tour company’s contact numbers. So after waiting half an hour, the hotel receptionist got me a taxi. Luckily I had my flight details and checked in easily. It was a 90 minute flight to Iguazu, I was lucky to have a window seat and watched the countryside change from dry fields to a much greener landscape. I was relieved to see Javier, the guide, waiting for me at the airport, with a taxi ready to take me to the National Park. His English was quite good in explaining what we were going to see and do. It was warm, at least 35 degrees with 85-90% humidity! We began our walk around the park up to the falls. 75% of the falls is on the Argentine side with the rest in Brazil, with ...