Our first stop in the Tierra del Fuego National Park is at the "most southerly post office in the world" - a famous tourist sight that overlooks the Beagle Channel. We then make a stop at the park's visitor centre at Alakush, before travelling on to Lago Acigami

Our final stop of the tour of the National Park is at the southern end of the Trans-America Highway (number RA 3 in the Argentinean system). As the board conveniently located for photo opportunities states, it's 17,848 km from the northern end in Alaska.

 

We have slight rain here as we traverse a boardwalk system that takes us to the water's edge of the Beagle Channel. Otherwise, we have experienced dry but mostly cloudy weather, but just occasional sun.

 

When we get back to Ushuaia, we are greeted with a superb rainbow that lasts a considerable time.

 

We are very tired after this trip and relax in our cabin before eating in the Dining Room - we easily get a table for two and both have the same: French onion soup; lamb shank; ice cream. Another very filling meal.

 

Today, we were scheduled to cruise round Cape Horn, but the captain (Kevin Beirnaert) has decided the weather is too bad. Later, we hear that a Princess ship has got into difficulty trying to round the Cape and had to turn back, resulting in the ship missing some of its later itinerary. Instead, we spend the day cruising the Sarmiento Channel - a principal waterway in Patagonia. There are mountains each side of the channel, some with snowy peaks, but the visibility is poor.

 

It is very cold, and sometimes very windy, as we attempt some exercise on Deck 3. We therefore spend a large part of the day eating and drinking. Lunch includes a very good chowder soup followed by cob salads and desserts. In the afternoon we view today's film, The Music of Silence. A very enjoyable film although there was annoying noises from outside the theatre - a complaint to Guest Services produces a "note" delivered to our cabin later in the day. The film tells the fascinating life story of the tenor Andrea Bocelli.

 

 

This evening, Mark our tour guide, has organised a gathering of his group in the Gallery Bar. There is a Dutch theme to today's activities that includes a dress code of "Casual, with a Splash of Orange". Unfortunately, this requirement has not been publicised  in advance of the cruise and there seems to be few who are able to comply.

 

We again eat in the Dining Room after having to wait for a table. We are called to the table from the lounge area by buzzer and then get to sit in the upper level of the restaurant. Service is slightly slow but another good meal that features steak (J) and salmon (D)

 

 

Today, we cruise the Chilean Fjords with the highlights being the Pio XI glacier and Isla Saumarez