Exploring the Land of Fire! | Tierra Del Fuego | PATAGONIA DAY 2

Summary

Embark on an adventure with Southern Explorations in Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. Experience hiking and kayaking with stunning views, learn about the park's history from native guide Ana. Discover the region's past as a penal colony and its strategic naming to deter outsiders. Enjoy a scenic canoe ride, spot wildlife, and savor a delicious local lunch. Conclude with a hike to the Beagle Channel, taste the region's famous Calafate berries, and visit the world's southernmost post office.

Takeaways

• 🌍 First day of adventures with Southern Explorations in Tierra del Fuego National Park.
• 🏔 Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is very close to Antarctica.
• 🚌 Travel day involves hiking and kayaking with a knowledgeable tour guide named Ana.
• 🔥 The name 'Tierra del Fuego' means 'Land of Fire' and was chosen to deter other countries from settling in the region.
• 🚂 Ushuaia's history as a penal colony is highlighted by a visit to a historic train station.
• 📸 Quick photo stop at the train station, avoiding the overly touristy train ride.
• 🚣‍♂️ Kayaking journey starts at a lake and continues down a river towards La Batalla Bay.
• 🌊 Encountered waves on the Beagle Channel during kayaking.
• 🥪 Lunch stop with a delicious meal, not just simple sandwiches.
• 🏞 Hiking route includes an uphill climb followed by a descent to the Beagle Channel.
• ☕ Guide Ana surprises with coffee during the hike, enhancing the experience.
• 🌿 The importance of kelp beds in the Beagle Channel's ecosystem is explained.
• 🗺️ The group's location is compared to Moscow's latitude to show how far south they are.
• 🍇 Tasting of the local Calafate berry, which the nearby city is named after.
• 🏣 Visit to the world's southernmost post office, a unique experience.

Q & A

What is the name of the national park they are visiting?

The national park they are visiting is called Tierra del Fuego.

What does Tierra del Fuego mean and why was it named so?

Tierra del Fuego means 'the land of fire'. It was originally named 'the land of smoke' by explorers in the 1500s because of the smoke signals made by native people. The name was later changed to 'the land of fire' to deter other countries from settling in the region.

Why was Patagonia named after a monster?

Patagonia was named after a monster to keep other people away from the region, as part of a strategy to claim the land for themselves.

What was the purpose of the train station they stopped at?

The train station was part of Ushuaia's history as a penal colony. Criminals were made to ride the train to cut wood for warmth in the prison, as an alternative to freezing to death.

What activity are they planning to do at the lake?

They are planning to go canoeing on the lake and then continue down the river.

What did they see while kayaking in the Beagle Channel?

While kayaking, they saw waves, condors, and a sea lion.

What did they have for lunch?

They had a delicious lunch, which was a pleasant surprise as they initially expected ham sandwiches.

What is special about the kelp leaves they saw while kayaking?

The kelp leaves are important for the Beagle Channel's ecosystem as they serve as roots where many small organisms live, attracting larger ones that feed on them.

How far are they from the Antarctic Peninsula?

They are about 1,000 kilometers away from the Antarctic Peninsula.

What indigenous group lived in the area and what was their lifestyle like?

The Yámanas lived in the area along the Beagle Channel. They used canoes to hunt sea lions, fish, and gather food.

What is the name of the fruit they tasted at the end of their hike?

The fruit they tasted is called Calafate, which is also the name of the city.

Why is the post office they visited considered the coolest?

The post office is considered the coolest because it is the southernmost post office in the world, located at the end of the earth.