It's the end of the world as we know it

The sign that proves you're at the end of the world (well, almost)
see all photos »

Ushuaia (Oosh-waiya) is the southermost city in the Southern Hemisphere, even if that means its apparently only as far south as Belfast or Amsterdam is north.

But it definitely feels it, tucked into a bay sheltered form the perpetual westerly wind, which actually makes it quite mild compared with the rest of Patagonia.

This is the place where the boats leave for Antartica, but you wouldn't go this time of year unless you fancied your chances in the Southern Atlantic.

The snowy mountains shelter the city
see all photos »

I spent the first day having a mooch around town, which really consists of one main street, San Martin. It's tax free here not so you'd know it, but you'll also never get stuck for anything, especially if its outdoor gear.

The second day I had look around a couple of the museums here, El Museo de Fin del Mundo in the first old bank, which was nice and took all of about 20 minutes, and then the big old jail built to hold prisoners down here.

And if you're in prison here, you're going nowhere. Apparently most of those who escaped came back a couple of days later as they were so cold and hungry!  The jail has been converted into a museum, art gallery and other things. The best bit was going in a wing that had been left as it was, and it was dark and freezing.

A model of of Ushuaia jail's more famous inmates
see all photos »

Then it was back to the hostel and the start of what was to be a few very late nights/early mornings with Anthony, an English couple called Rob and Rachel, and pair(?) of Germans, Stephan and Jana.