"Another suitcase and another hall"

I never realised the World was so big! A 13 hour flight brought us to Buenos Aires somewhere in South America. I'm sure it's a lovely city but flying cattle class doesn't get you much sleep so when we arrived at our hotel the first thing we didn't do was hit the town. We merely slapped it gently around the face.

We were picked up from the airport by a most loquacious  guide, who told us all about the city, the country and its president, the corruption, the failing economy and where to eat and where not to go in BA. All that in the hour it took to travel from the main international airport. The hotel Casa sur Bellini, situated, we were told in an up market part of town, was fabulous - although we needed the aid of the staff to help us unlock the electronic door lock, the card operated electricity supply to the room and the room safe, but otherwise no problems.

On arrival we were given two glasses of wine - not any wine: Malbec! -"the grape of Argentina" - its gift to mankind, along with corned beef. After a shower and change of clothes we staggered out into a  very hot late afternoon - it should have been morning but British Airways screwed up and we left Heathrow rather later than scheduled. Never mind, BA is a city of parks and millions of magnificent trees and a lot of very young and beautiful people.

We made our way to the Palermo district and found Don Julio, a meat restaurant - I have never seen steaks as big anywhere. We had langoustines  and salad followed by an incredibly sweet crepe full of super sweet "condensed milk". It was delicious but far too much for my tooth.

We stumbled back to the hotel and flaked out. We needed to be up by 5:30 am to get a lift to the airport to catch the 9:05 am plane to Ushuaia. It was late but the driver, pilot told us not to worry as he'd pick up speed on the way down and we'd arrive as scheduled.

It was a 3 hour flight, much over the sea and then we approached Tierra del Feugo. As the plane banked and approached Ushuaia the whole to the Beagle Sound and the surrounding snow capped mountains were laid out below. Absolutely stunning. In no time we were on a coach heading for our Hotel Albatross - right by the Harbour. A meal in the restaurant next to the hotel with a couple of lovely cold local beers and we were set up for a walk around the town. Except it being Sunday the town was out. It looked a bit woe be gone but what do you expect from at town at the end of the world.

It was further to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires than from Ushuaia to Christchurch in New Zealand. Tomorrow afternoon we join the MS Expedition and make our way to Antarctica.....