Sunday, January 08
Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia, Argentina - This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia and disembark our expedition vessel. We have the full day to relax and explore Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia!

JOURNALS for Sunday (Updated 5:15 am EST)

Geoff Green

We're back! Its hard to believe but we are just about to tie up to the dock in Ushuaia! How did the expedition go so fast? We had a wonderful evening last night of songs, stories, photos, laughter and tears. This morning we say goodbye to our ship and crew, and then head off to the hills! It will be different being without our ship, but a nice transition back to "normal" life. We'll update you later tonight! Everyone is happy, healthy and totally inspired....

Gracias,

Geoff

JOURNALS for Sunday (Updated 10:30 am EST)

Geoff Green

It has been a great day in Ushuaia! After disembarking the Akademik Shokalskiy early this morning, we boarded some Land Rovers for an all day tour to Lago Fagnano. The journey took us over the Andes mountains through the Garibaldi Pass and absolutely stunning landscapes. It was a very different environment to what we have become accustomed these last 11 days. Trees, flowers, traffic, noise, people... But in many ways it was the perfect transition needed as we begin our journey home. It was all a not-so-gentle reminder of the ´real world´ we are returning to. It also afforded us some time to reflect and digest the experience of the last few days.

The Land Rovers took us off road to a spectacular camp on the shores of Lago Fagnano. Here we had a delicious BBQ, and just lay in the sun on the rocky beach. It was so hot that about 20 of us went in for a chilly dip! After swimming in the Antarctic a few days ago, this was nothing for our brave young explorers! We hiked through the beech forests, got the Land Rovers stuck a few times, and just had a very relaxed and enjoyable day. We got back to Ushuaia around 5:00pm and checked in to our hotel.
Everyone had some much needed time to relax, shower and change, and to look around town.

Then it was off to dinner at Kuar, a very special restaurant on the shore of the Beagle Channel owned by some good friends of Students on Ice. An evening of celebration was enjoyed by all. Songs, smiles, tears, dancing, special speeches and thank-yous. It was truly a magical night. Our SOI group is undeniably a big family of some very impressive students, chaperones and education team members. Everyone had a chance to say a few words. Some quite profound. Words and messages that I think will stay with this group for weeks, months and years to come.

Tomorrow we have a half-day in Ushuaia before boarding our flights home. We´ll be flying with LAN airlines from Ushuaia to Santiago to Miami, arriving to Miami at 6:00am on Jan.10th. From their we all catch our connecting flights or rides home!

Look for some student journals and youth impressions in the morning...

Homeward bound,

Geoff

Jason Shim

Soon after we landed in Ushuaia, we bid farewell to the crew of the Shakovskiy and made our way to the Albatros, a beautiful hotel right across from the harbour.  It was nice to be on land again and not bumping into every single wall and doorway I passed.  We had a few hours to shower (and nap) and then we went off-roading in Land Rovers around the mountains here.

It got pretty crazy as the mud was nearly three feet deep and the cars got stuck several times.  There were steep inclines of which I can only tell the angle by looking at how much the crucifix was swinging on the rear view mirror.  We plowed through water and finally arrived at a beautiful beach for lunch.After we enjoyed a hearty meal, Fred and Dave decided that they wanted to go swimming and soon most of the chaperones followed suit.  The water was absolutely gorgeous.  I was impressed with the spontaneity of a couple of brave students, namely Mike and Lucas who happily jumped in as well.  Soon afterwards, we headed back to the hotel and got ready for dinner.
 
This evening was a bit of an emotional one for me.  I’ve worked with many youth in the past and I can say without a doubt that this year’s group of students is among the best I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with.We spent the evening at a restaurant named Kuar, where we were served fantastic food and delighted with marvelous music.  As Diz and Geoff went through the room allowing each of the chaperones and education team members to reflect a bit on the experience, I found myself a bit sad. It takes a certain type of individual to come to Antarctica—you have to want it pretty badly.  And being surrounded by other like-minded, motivated individuals has done wonders for my spirit.  I’m going to miss this group very much and I very much look forward to where the future takes everyone.
 
The energy in the room was incredible as the band started up and everyone started dancing late into the night.  Tomorrow we board the planes and settle in for some long plane rides back home.

Love you Shim family.  Happy Birthday Stacy!  Jenny, see you soon.