2/13-I Can Still Hear the Drums

Carnaval Del Fin Del Mundo!

I took myself for a walk this afternoon to see what was happening on the Carnaval scene. I walked down to the water. I could hear the drums long before I could see them. 

I made it to the stage where a couple were saying something I couldn’t make out. I think maybe they were talking about the various drum groups. I moved on down a bit. 

This group had some dancers in front of them. I did some video that I’ll post on FB. 

I continued down the street looking for a better vantage point. 

Waiting to perform? Or done?

That’s a good spot up there, but where I was ended up being pretty good too. 

This group was pretty enthusiastic…



Except for this little guy. I think his dad was the leader. The woman behind him was really enthusiastic. 

One thing that I could see the kids really enjoying was spraying streams of foam. 

This little kid was especially enjoying it. 

People had the stuff all over them. Fortunately, I emerged un-foamed (afterall, I only have a few clothes), and headed up to San Martin before I got caught in the foam crossfire. 

I’m back in my room in the hostal, and I can still hear the drums. I would have looked to see if a panadería was selling King cakes, but my stomach has not been happy the past couple of days, so I thought it best not to add that to my system. Instead, yogurt, banana, and crackers, washed down with electrolytes, has been my Fat Tuesday sustenance. 

I arranged my transport to the airport on Thursday. It’s another Jorge (I was driven to the apartment in Puerto Montt by a Jorge). I think it’s funny that my bookend transports have both been guys named Jorge. 

Tomorrow I’ll be able to get more tape (of a stronger form) to further tape up my flimsy bike box. Might end up looking like more tape than cardboard. Oh, and there are two Italian cyclists here who have also finished. They asked me where I got my bike box. I told them how we found ours, and wished them luck. 

2/12-Who Woulda Thought…

I would know someone coming into Ushuaia on a cruise ship! Awhile ago I saw on Facebook that some friends were in Buenas Aíres. I commented saying they were at the beginning of Ruta 3 and I was at the other end! Turns out they were doing a cruise to Antártica. I asked if they were coming to Ushuaia. They were, but not until Feb 12th. Well, I am here until the 15th! I’ve been following their trip, and we made a plan to meet for lunch when they got to Ushuaia. 

Today’s the day, and we met at Tante Sara after they did a tour into the park. They did the Tren Del Fin del Mundo, and a bus tour to the end of Ruta 3. Sounds like renting the car like Alex, Markus, and I did, was a better idea. 

After lunch they wanted to get a couple of souvenirs. We took this group photo outside of the big souvenir store. 

Taunya, Jim, Penguin, and me. 

We walked a bit along San Martín, then went down toward the water. Apparently, tomorrow is a holiday, but I can’t seem to find out what the holiday is. Anyway, part of the main road is closed down, and there was loud music playing. Also, earlier this morning, I tried to go get more tape at the Imcofue store, but they are closed today and tomorrow. 

We walked to the “Ushuaia” sign, and I took their photo for them. Then we walked back to the port. They had to be back to the ship at 4:30. When we got to the port entrance, there was a long line waiting to go through Port Security. They got in line. Then a guy comes by and says the line is only for the Holland America boat (its anchored out in the bay, so they have to take the tenders from the port. Jim and Taunya are on the Regents Seven Seas. We walked up to the security entrance where we said our goodbyes. 

Long line for security, but only theHolland America boat. 

Regent Seven Seas. 

It was really great to see someone I know in Ushuaia! They said it was great to see the town with a “local” (yes, I’ve been here too long). 

Even though I wasn’t able to get more tape today, I did go ahead and pack Billy in the box. I just need to reinforce the box with some better tape. I’ll get that after this mysterious holiday. Three more days, then I’ll be headed home!

Here’s a couple of random photos…

Soon I will be saying adios Ushuaia!

2/10-A Final Little Bike Ride and Building a Box

This morning I said goodbye to my roommate, Miranda, from Holland. She was taking the bus to Punta Arenas, then Puerto Natales to hike in Torres Del Paine. After both Miranda and I had gone to bed last night (but we weren’t asleep, just reading), we got a new roommate. He is “Feliz” from Turkey. Happy guy. He’s been traveling for two years. He doesn’t appear to be hiking, and he’s not cycling. He came on the bus from Rio Gallegos. He’s been all the places we went (in Argentina). Seems like a nice guy. 

Today's weather has been spectacular. High 60s. I decided to take advantage and go for a ride. I wanted to see if I could ride toward where the lighthouse is in the Beagle Channel. I had doubts I’d be able to get far enough. 

A naval boat watering the…water. 

Onto gravel now and looking back at Ushuaia. 

Playa Larga Reserve. 

And there’s camping! I could see numerous sites. 

Here’s an indication of how much the wind blows. Today, however, there was no wind!

People are swimming!!! Don’t they know how close we are to Antártica???

Channel marker for the Beagle Channel. Not the lighthouse. 

Selfie time. 

End of the road. I probably could have ridden a bit further, but due to the nice weather, and it being Saturday, there were lots of hikers…oh and the fact that I don’t like singletrack. I opted to turn around. 

Before I did, I took this photo of a Norwegian Cruise ship. 

I wonder if I could sell it to the cruise line?

I rode the gravel back to the pavement. It was dust bomb after dust bomb. Fortunately, I had my dust bomb protector. 

Once I got back to the pavement, I decided I didn’t want to go back the same way (no choice on the gravel part). I continued up the hill (this is the road we had come down on our way into Ushuaia). It’s so much easier without all the gear. I actually enjoyed it. I got up to the roundabout where Ruta 3 continues out of Ushuaia, and back into town. Obviously, I headed back into town. This was a part of Ruta 3 that we didn’t ride. I was going along, when I noticed there was a bike path on the other side of the road. I made a quick turn over to the bike path. 

How nice is this?

Ruta 3 stays above Ushuaia, while Perito Moreno (the road we came into Ushuaia on) follows the water. 

With perfect timing, the bike path ended at a roundabout where I needed to go left to get back to the hostel. 

It wasn’t a very long ride, but it was quite enjoyable. 

After I got back and took a shower, I fixed some lunch. Then it was time for the real work of today…building Billy’s box for flying home. Even though I’m not leaving until the 15th, I wanted to get the box built while it was sunny. Rain is forecast for tomorrow (100%). There’s not room indoors to build the box. I had drawn out a plan, so I got to work. The box needed to be taller, wider, and longer. The biggest change was in the length and width. It was very close to being tall enough. 

It took me three hours and three complete rolls of duct tape (it would be nice if they made the rolls a little more than 9 meters). I still have the majority of one roll, but I think I’m going to need to get another roll for taping the box closed, and generally reinforcing. I had plenty of cardboard, and didn’t even use one of the boxes. 

Once I got a pretty good semblance of a box, I took Billy’s pedals off and rolled him in to see how much I would need to lengthen the box. That end will need the most reinforcing once Billy’s inside and taped up. 

I’ve gotten it as far as I can for now. I did some rearranging in the room, and bright the box inside. 

I’ll probably pack Billy the next nice day (Tuesday or Wednesday). Everything is already off (bags, fenders, pedals, and the kickstand) that can be taken off now. Putting him in the box will be much faster than building the box!

It was a lot of work, but I’m glad I’ve got it done!

2/8-Goodbyes and New Digs

The day has come to say goodbye to my dear friends and traveling companions, Alex and Markus. Not gonna lie, I’m very sad. I think it would be easier if I was leaving too (I’d still be sad, but I would be busy). While Alex and Markus enjoy a week of warm weather in Buenas Aires, I will spend another week here in Ushuaia. As I mentioned before, it was far cheaper for me to spend an extra week here than to fly this week, even with paying for the hostel ($200 for the week).

Last night we went to a very nice restaurant for our last dinner together. It was called Kaupé. I had the Chicken Bengali. It was delicious. Unfortunately, I completely forgot to take any photos. Before dinner, I was able to drop off the stack of cardboard at the hostel. We still had some time to kill before the restaurant opened. 

In front of one of the big souvenir shops. 

With everything packed, they just had to wait for the van and taxi to arrive this morning. 

Sure won’t be hard to spot these bags!

The van and taxi arrived, and everything was loaded up. 

Violeta is out the door!





The van carried the bikes and the bags. 

With hugs (and a few tears) all around, we said our goodbyes and safe travels. It’s been an amazing time with Alex and Markus here in South America. We’ve had some incredible experiences together, and I’m so so glad I got to adventure with them. Their previous travels in South America made it easy for me. I don’t think our roles changed much from the beginning. Alex remained the “Booking Queen”, Markus the “Master Route Planner”, and me providing annoying entertainment. 

One final selfie together. We took one at the beginning in Puerto Montt. Our hair is longer! 

Goodbye my friends! I WILL see you again!!!

Funny thing…just as I got back into the apartment, the power went out. It came back on after a bit, but the WiFi didn’t. Once I got everything packed onto Billy, and the dishes done, it was about 10:45. With nothing else to do, I decided to head to town. 

Billy loaded up for the last time. 

I couldn’t check in until 1:00, so I decided to have some lunch first. On the way into town, I stopped at the Ushuaia sign. Billy wanted his picture taken in front of the sign. 

Here ya go, Billy!

I went to Tante Sara for lunch. Then I rolled over to the hostel. I’m in a 4-bed room with, currently, two others. The one guy, Taku from Japan, leaves tonight at midnight. Fortunately I have a bottom bunk. 

Billy is locked up outside. 

If the weather is as good as forecasted on Saturday, I think I’ll go for a ride. I want to see if I can ride far enough to see the lighthouse out in the Beagle Channel. I’m not sure if the road goes far enough. I already took the rear rack off, and the Pronghorn harness and one feed bag. I might leave the frame bag on until after I’m done riding. 

Now I suppose I should go to the grocery store and get something for dinner…maybe something to go with my cous cous.

2/6-A Short Hike and Packing Prepping

It’s another reasonably nice day here in Ushuaia. Markus’ goal for today was to get Max and Violeta packed in their boxes for Thursday’s departure. Alex and I got out of his way by going on a little hike. 

This trail is only about 500 meters from our apartment. We’ve been by it many times in the car and on the bus. It was an easy walk to here. 

Definitely a well used trail. 

A nice walk in the woods. 

On review mentioned it can be a little muddy…true. 

This was the end (1.7kms later).

We popped out to a dirt road. We opted to walk the road back to make it a loop. 

Heading back. Cruise ship in the distance. 

The route. 

I’ve been going back and forth on how best to get the empty bike box to the hostel. Last night, I finally had the solution. I would flatten the box, and fold it up. Then I would strap it onto my bike. So, I did that. It was still an unwieldy package. I decided, since I have to make it bigger anyway, I would cut it in half (with the handy dandy box knife I bought yesterday). Then I could stack the halves, and strap them on the back of Billy. Then, thinking further, I realized since it’s now a much smaller package,

I could take it to the hostel tomorrow, and have them store it where they store luggage (protected from the rain). We are going into town tomorrow for a final goodbye dinner anyway. Then I’ll just ride Billy in usual touring mode on Thursday to the hostel. Problem sorted!

Meanwhile, Max and Violeta are snug in their boxes. They’ll be packed until Alex and Markus get to Rome (after a week in Buenas Aires).

It took nearly three rolls of tape. Billy will probably take the same since I have to put it back together and add more cardboard. 

So, a productive day…