Antarctica AN 91
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1. Buenos Aires - home of tango! |
2. The flower a relatively new statue in Buenos Aires pays tribute to the beauty of women. |
3. 9 de julio, one of the widest avenues in the world. |
4. One of the symbols of Argentina. Mate, a typical tea pot and beverage are spread out for sale on a street in Buenos Aires. |
5. Aye Aye Captain - Dave, Vi, Eileen, Anne, Betsy and Gerrie in front of an old wreck that had done its last dash through the Drake Passage, Ushauia |
 6. Besty and Gerry with Marshall Glacier in background, near Ushuaia. |
 7. Antarctica here we come! Heading out through the Beagle Channel, having just cast off from Ushuaia, Feb 17, 2009. |
 8. Mayra and Gerrie set foot on the Antarctica Penninsular for the first time and proudly display their home colours.! |
 9. Louise prepares for her first Antarctic kayak experience. |
 10. A gentoo penguin shows off his lovely colours. |
 11. Penguins discuss swimming options. |
 12. Kathy and George gearing up for kayaking. |
 13. In Antarctica you get this close to the wildlife! |
 14. One zodiac had a minke whale play with it for the best part of an hour. |
 9. Vi befriends a baby penguin |
 16. The leopard seals are the main predator of Antarctica, the equivalent of p[olar bears in the Arctic region. |
 17. Kathy and George enjoying some mulled wine at the mid-trip BBQ they prepared for us - an unlikely place for a barbie but memorable nonetheless! |
 18. Gerry and Anne choosing a spot for their tent. We spent one night on the ice, camping! |
 19. Louise and Erica proudly wave the Silver Fern having sussed out the perfect spot for their tent. |
 20. This is the complete group of Ice Campers with our helpers, Jamie (in black) and Dick (in red). |
 21. These chinstrap penguins were like little German soldiers. |
 22. This baby penguin came and played with Mayra and Dave. The juvenile penguins were incredibly curious and so cute and cuddly, not that we could pick them up. |
 23. We almost got iced in but our skillful captain and crew were able to get the Akademik Shokalskiy safely through this sea of pack ice. |
 24. The world of ice is fascinating and we had many chances to get up close to the icebergs and see the various hues of white amongst blue. |
 25. The reflections, shadows and colours made for some amazing scenery and photo opportunities. |
 26. Dave and Mayra negotoiate over a block of ice. |
 27. This leopard seal with blood on it's chops. |
 28. Torres del Paine at daybreak. |
 29. Louise, Gerrie, Anne, Erica, Olivia and Betsy setting off on the first of our full day hikes, this one in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. |
 30. Nearing the summit of one of the hills, we could see numerous lakes in the valley below and a glacier in the distance. |
 31. Olivia and Anne stop to remove some clothing, whilst walking through a beech forest. |
 32. Cathy, Anne and Rae near the Mirador Las Torres viewpoint. Glaciar in background. |
 33. The Patagonian scenery is simply spectacular. |
 34. Eileen made it to the viewpoint but unfortunately it was a little cloudy over the Towers. |
 35. Guanacos are common in Patagonia, a distint relative of the llama and a fine looking cameloid! |
 36. More spectacular scenery! |
 37. George, Anne, Betsy, Gerrie and Cathy went for a horse ride at the typical Patagonian Station we visited - this is the before photo. |
 38. As part of the visit to the farm, we enjoyed a lovely roast dinner. This is the traditional way of cooking lamb in the region. |
 39. Cathy and Olivia in front of the immense Perito Moreno Glacier, approximately four kilometeres wide. |
 40. Our second full day walk, this one in Glaciares National Park, Argentina. |
 41. The weather was a little bleak at our destination, however we found a nice sheltered spot to enjoy our picnic lunch in front of the glaciar. |
 42. On the drive back to El Calafate from El Chalten we were treated to majestic scenery and an incredible show from some condors. |
 43. The Andean condor can weigh up to twenty kilos and has a wing span of up to three metres - they are so impressive to watch! |
 44. Another highlight of that drive was La Leona, home to Paco, the world's cutest guanaco. . . . and |
 45. . . . . the best lemon merengue pie (in the whole world (according to Santiago our driver & we thought so too). |
 46. Our final stop was Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. We enjoyed a lovely icecream here. From left:Anne, George, Cathy, Kathy and Olivia. |
 47. Eduardo and Eileen enjoy an ice cream after another lovely day in the Iguassu region. |
 48. Alan and Rae get up close and personal with a cheeky toucan at the Bird Park, Iguassu Falls, Brazil. |
 49. Erica and Louise have a giggle after getting absolutely sopping wet on the powerboat ride under the falls. |
 50. The Iguassu Falls are as extensive as they are impressive! Gotta be seen to be believed - the photos don't do them justice! |
