COVID test for real, city tour and embarking – Part two- 14 March 2023

We continue to sit and wait and watch the snow fall. Had to venture out to the deck for obligatory snow shots.

While waiting to order coffee I spoke to a couple of ladies who indicated that there was one less on the ship – they had seen the positive test news delivered while they were awaiting their test. Sad for that girl.

Soon after it was time to board the buses for city tour. It was cold, wet and rainy, the bus windows were fogged up. We headed out to the old airport to an observation point, with views of city and the docks where we could see Sylvia Earle at dock across the bay.

From there back in towards town with a stop at the Ushuaia sign. Then onto a stop at the prison museum. Ushuaia was once sort of a penal colony with the prisoners doing a lot of the work to build and maintain the town.

At 3:45 it was back on the bus to drive out to the docks and finally time to embark the Sylvia Earle. We were called off the bus in groups of four. Up the gangplank and welcomed on board for ship photo. Then we were ushered through to lecture room where there were drinks and food. Then onto the lecture theatre to be welcomed by Howard Whelan. Expedition Leader. We learnt that the MS Sylvia Earle is new X bow, infinity class boat named after 86yo Marine Biologist Sylvia Earle. We are about the 10th voyage in the new ship. It’s very very nice and much more ‘cruise ship’ than our previous Polar Pioneer. We were introduced to a number of other key staff. Anne Oeyasaeta who is in charge of the expedition centre, Ozman Ozpolat -Hotel Management-and Dr. Sofia and David and Russell and Eamon (kayaking)- expedition medics. There was more bits and pieces discussed and explained including Man overboard procedure and lifeboat drill. We had our drill. Before being let go to watch us sail down the Beagle Passage.

After watching departure etc for a while it was time for dinner. There are evidently only 93 on board so there is plenty of room in dining room and when we are called to lecture theatre. After tea we had a wander up to level 8 and tried to conquer the Aurora hub which is all the info etc. Then a look around before bed.