We have arrived in Ushuaia

Chris here. Alan and I arrived in Ushuaia after an epic fifty three hour journey. The flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires was uneventful but a little late. Arriving in BA at 1am we had 5 hours before our flight to Ushuaia. However a change of airport which entailed a manic drive through the night with the driver unable or unwilling to understand that there was no rush. He was determined to demonstrate the acceleration, braking capabilities and handling characteristics of a small Peugeot van. We arrived safely in what must have been an attempt on the record for that journey. Half an hour´s sleep in a deserted airport was followed by having to queue for over an hour to check our bags in. At 4 am as check in opened, hundreds of people arrived all at once jostling to check their luggage in.

On the flight to Ushuaia our unfortunate experiences with Aerolineas continued when it was announced that we would be landing shortly with 2 hours left to our destintion for "technical" reasons. It transpired that this was merely a fuel stop at a small airport called Trelew. It was bizarre to see the welcome sign at the terminal in welsh. Part of Argentina´s rich immigrant history. Twenty minutes later we were on our way to Ushuaia.

It was a great relief to find the friendly face of Luis Benitez (one of the guides) to meet us off the plane. It was an even greater relief to see the all of our bags arrive. There was one mishap with the bags, as Alan discovered that a tin of powdered energy drink had burst in the ski bag. Combined with a heavy rainstorm in Buenos Aires meant that our skis and sticks as well as inside of the bag had a pleasant citrus aroma but were coated with an extremely concentrated solution of energy drink. We washed everything down in the shower at the hotel.

Arriving at the hotel we met some other members of the expedition and the guides. As we plan to sail tomorrow it was vital that we unpack all our kit, have it checked and then repack and send it to the Evohe. Luis was adept at helping two slightly jet lagged and very weary travellers negotiate this.

I´m writing this in an internet cafe in Ushuaia. This city is just as you would expect the most southerly city in the world to be. There is a definite feeling of being at the end of the civilised world. Ushuaia appears to be a cross between Port Stanley and Rekjavik.

Finally a big thanks to everyone who has donated to the Clic Sargent appeal. Over one thousand two hundred pounds has been raised so far. Thanks again.

Weather and immigration formalities permitting we sail for the Antarctic tomorrow. Our next despatch will hopefully come from the Southern Ocean. Alan and Chris