Evita in Argentina

We moored at Ushuaia at 6pm this evening about twelve hours early as we had a favourable crossing of the Drake Passage, not sure Marion agreed!! This meant that we took full advantage of the ships entertainment that showed a little how a cruise ship is a complete bubble of it’s own. As it was Australia Day, well actually talking to some Australians it is not because in Australia it is already the day after Australia Day, but never mind. Back to Australia Day we had an Australian themed dinner complete with Australians wearing hats with corks. Bizarre or not? The chef had baked a cake in the shape of the Australian flag, a Lamington cake, basically a coconut sponge.

After a coffee in Seabourn Square we went to the musical presentation in the theatre, An Evening with Tim Rice with Tim Rice in person. It was very entertaining and particularly poignant with the singing of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ as we were moored in Argentina. Apparently Evita has never been performed in Argentina. Judging from our guide in Buenos Aires this is probably because she is still an extremely divisive figure.

The approach to Ushuaia was lovely sailing through the Beagle Channel with Argentina on one side and Chile on the other. All around were snow-covered mountains. It was strange that for the first time in ten days we saw evidence of human habitation and particularly land that was green.

As we approached Ushuaia we saw several small exploration ships leave for their voyage to the Antarctic. The crossing of the Drake Passage on some of these looked as though it might be quite interesting.

Tomorrow it is steam railway day, look forward to some railway pictures. I was wondering whether I could do a guest lecturer spot?