We're getting on a boat!

After the fun of TDF National Park, we were able to sleep in a little bit and explore more of Ushuaia before getting on the boat in the afternoon.

We picked up our laundry and FF called for four taxis to take us to the Cruceros Australis office on the main drag, San Martin. After checking in and completing the paperwork, we left our bags and set out to find something to eat.

We stopped in Bar Banana for a bit of brunch where we had a media luna (croissant) con jamon y queso (ham and cheese) together with hot chocolate. I didn't get the memo about the submarino, but it sounds pretty cool. It's hot chocolate, but it's warm milk and then you put a chocolate bar in it to melt and create hot chocolate. I'll have to try it next time.

We stopped in at the chocolate next door where I picked up a few things to take back home.

EF teaches us the napkin game.

Or we could put it on our head.

Why yes, I would love some hot chocolate says EF.

The media luna con jamon y queso.

Avast ye maties!

Interesting billboard for a gym.

But hey, it's cool, just some penguinos getting their flex on.

After the brunch at Banana Bar we decided to check out the Presidio. Ushuaia was founded as a penal colony and the presidio was the final installation built to house the prisoners on the island. It has since been restored in to a maritime museum as well as a museum for Antarctica, Ushuaia, the Yamana and the prison.

Original cell artwork.

The museum wing was very informative and had some great exhibits.

One wing has been left in an unrestored state. It reeks of fuel oil and it is spooky as hell.

An exhibit on ARFF trucks at the Ushuaia airport.

Interesting that it appeared that the fire department was part of the Argentine federal police.

Cool poster on them fighting wildland fires.

An inmates view of the world.

Too bad this poster wasn't of a Land Rover!

After the Presidio, which took a couple of hours to see everything, we split up to see different things around the city before meeting up at the dock.

I wanted to check out a cool bookstore recommended by a guidebook but unfortunately it was closed. Checking my watch, I still had plenty of time, so I set out to climb the six or seven blocks up hill towards the firehouse.

Once there I peeked in the windows and saw some cool apparatus, but didn't see anyone. Taking a chance, decided on a frontal assault and rang the doorbell. I was startled because it sounded like I set off the house bell! I was very fortunate when Daniel Osvaldo Pincol answered the door. I explained who I was and he welcomed me in and was eager to show my all of the trucks in the station. This station was the main station for the Bomberos Voluntarios de Ushuaia or the Ushuaia VFD. They had a mini squad, a heavy squad, two tankers, a four wheel drive commercial cab pumper, another large pumper, a Hi Lux utility and a UTV.

The mini squad. First out for auto accidents. Modern Holmatro tools. It is known as Unit 9 and is a 1994 GMC/E-One.

We traded patches, so I've got this cool patch of a penguin throwing a bucket of ice on a fire!

Their patch wall. I checked and I was the first from Virginia and most of the mid-Atlantic.

The poster says "End of the World Firemen".

They also do a lot of rescue, SAR work in the mountains around Ushuaia.

I wish I had taken more pictures of their former apparatus wall. This tractor drawn tanker was a beast that carried 32000 liters of water!

No dayroom would be complete without a vintage foosball table.

Their antique. A 1932 Brockway that served Ushuaia from 1952 until 1973. Used for parades, this is known as Unit 1.

Unit 11, a 2006 Toyota Hi Lux is used for transporting personnel and equipment.

Their turnout gear. Somewhat similar although the helmets are a Euro design. Red is for the firefighters, Blue is for EMTs/Rescuers, and other colors are for Sergeants and Officers.

Their newest model of helmet.

Unit 3 on the left is a 2005 Volvo Rescue that does have a pump and 2000 liters of water on it. Its primary role though is heavy rescue and carries a full, modern complement of equipment including a full Holmatro line and airbags. Unit 10 on the right is a 2009 Mercedes Benz 4 wheel drive with a Rosenbauer N40 Model pump and 6000 liters of water.  It is a primary structure fire attack piece.

Unit 6 is a 2005 Volvo with 18000 liters of water and I think is used as a tanker/tender.

Unit 4 is the first out attack pumper and is a 2001 International/E-One 4x4 with a six man cab, 3,800 liter tank and a Hale 2,800 liters per minute pump.

Unit 7 is a 2008 Volvo with 12000 liters of water. Another tanker/tender.

Unit 16, a 2006 Honda Rancher 500cc 4x4 and Unit 18, a 2010 Polaris Ranger 4x4. They sit on a trailer towed by the rescue, Unit 3.

Rear compartment on Unit 3. Hose reel and assorted extrication equipment.

Nicely labeled tool compartment on Unit 3.

Daniel was really proud of the station and their apparatus. He also showed me their plans for restoring and/or new construction of the substation and renovation of the main station.

On the way back towards the boat, I found CSI:Ushuaia.

Another sweet Hi Lux.

Rare VW pickup truck, the Amarok.

 After the firehouse, I tried the second location of the bookstore, but it wasn't as good as the other one. Kind of like a Ushuaia Barnes and Noble.

Our boat on the far right. Looks like in comparison to the Carnival boat.

El Fin del mundo.

They are still sensitive about Las Malvinas.

Looking back to Ushuaia.

Yeah, we made it to the boat!

Bigger boats at the dock.

The stern of our boat. Note the zodiacs high up.

Test fit PFD? Check.

Tasty hors d'oeuvres? Check.

Meet the Captain and crew? Check.

Saying good bye to Argentina.

They make pills for that you know?

Beautiful weather for our departure.

We met up dockside and processed through Passenger Control before boarding the boat. We were welcomed and shown to our cabins before meeting on the top deck in the Darwin Lounge where we dined on appetizers and some pisco sours. After the starters, we met the Captain, Oscar Sheward and the crew. The final events of the evening were a briefing on how to disembark in to the Zodiacs for the next morning's visit to Cape Horn and dinner in the Patagonia dining room.

Next up: Cabo de Hornos!