Ushuaia, Argentina: the End of the World

Paddling and swimming in the cool waters, the white tuxedoed chests of the Gentoo and Magellan penguins are at home near the southernmost part of the world, Ushuaia, Argentina.

The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is nestled on a picturesque bay between the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel. Known to many as the end of the world and a jumping-off point for Antarctica, its waters led us to sand bars in the Patagonia-Argentina region full of sea life and sea birds. The colonies of penguins and sea lions graciously let us take pictures with our catamaran tourist group.

Visiting the area between September and early February is the time to see the scores of penguins clustered together on the shore and making nests for the impending new births. I even saw some young ones with their baby feathers molting and pairs engaged in lively talk and fun antics.

While in Ushuaia, I used my Skype system connected to the internet and called friends to say, “I’m calling you from the southernmost part of the world; I’m at the end of the world.” The reception on Skype was clear and my friends were amazed!