Setting out – ‘Resolutely!’

Third Leg: Leaving Ushuaia

After a little sleep at The Albatross Hotel we woke to a brisk sunny morning. On peering from the window, the RCGS Resolute was just visible behind the odd crane. We flung open the windows and I took a deep breath. I felt brim full of excitement. Where would she take us, both physically and mentally?!

A tour of the museum in Ushuaia, which was located in the old prison, revealed the harsh treatment of its often political inmates, and tales of an equally harsh life led by everyone living there until relatively recently. Black and white photos of thinly clothed prisoners toiling in the snow outside and being able to step inside oneself into their minute gloomy cells quickly gave one a feel. Ushuaia is the most southerly town in the world, and with the tail end of the Andes looming over it, it feels a far flung place! There are about 70,000 inhabitants. Buildings are low and iron roofed, many in gay reds and greens, and the main drag is populated by a good many outdoor gear shops and sundry eateries. Our new friend Janet, walked with us. Feeling a little buffeted after touring the museum, we all sank gratefully into a little cafe for a snack to warm up. Travelling is tiring and the body just needs to catch up sometimes.

Later, we trooped the short distance to The Resolute by coach and were politely herded on board. It was absolutely wonderful to be shown into our roomy cabin complete with bathroom and cupboards galore. Better than home almost!! It was tempting to run around the ship screaming like kids in a hotel but age and dignity prevailed. Instead we went up on deck and watched the ship being cast off. The excitement was tangible!

People stood on deck in little clumps, chatting shyly to one another. I spotted our three guest speakers, Wade Davis of ‘Into the Silence’ fame, (amongst many other acclaimed oeuvres); Stephen Venables, who had made history in 1988 climbing Everest up the Kangshung Face without oxygen; and Sue Flood, award winning photographer with David Attenborough Blue Planet and author of some drool worthy photographic tomes. I just knew we were in for some special times with them….

As we left, the blues and greys and distant jagged peaks etched themselves into our consciousness. I kept thinking of Darwin aboard the Beagle and all those who had travelled this way in the past… I clicked away on my camera and phone. What a thrill it was to feel the chill breeze blowing all those travel cobwebs and cares away, ushering in the adventures to come.