Asado in Ushuaia, Argentina

Before setting off for Antarctica in December 2006, we expeditioners spent a few days in our port city, Ushuaia—the southernmost city in Argentina, and the closest in the world to Antarctica via the Drake Passage.

It was here I had my first introduction to a lifelong obsession: the Argentinian asado. The traditional asado is a four-hour method for grilling meat that locks in the succulent flavor and moisture without adding much additional seasoning except salt. Here, they made lamb in an upright position, but most at-home asados take place horizontally, over a three-foot long grill, out of convenience. The one thing they always have in common? Open fire.

The typical side dishes at an asado are other meats, such as chorizo or morcilla (blood sausage). Salad consists of chopped lettuce, cubed tomatoes and sometimes onions—in three separate bowls—each with vegetable oil drizzled over the top. Though potatoes aren’t as common, they were an accoutrement at this asado, likely to satisfy the tourists’ palate.

Serve your asado with red wine or a stiff drink (may I recommend Fernet Branca and Coca Cola?) and spend all day at the table enjoying the company. (It will take that long to consume all that cordero!)

-Tara for TKGO

Shot of the Week

…And this is why penguins are considered birds. Another snap from Antarctica. (Can you tell I’m jonesing for it?)

-Tara for TKGO

Shot of the Week

Antarctica’s massive icebergs are literally floating eye candy, like this non-tabular gem caught at a rare sunset moment. (There are only four hours of darkness during the summer, so it’s hard to be awake at sunset!) Gran and I like to think of it as an igloo at the wrong pole.

-Tara for TKGO

Antarctica: The Summertime Penguin Guide

In the peninsular and continental regions the National Geographic Explorer took us, summertime brings adelies, gentoos, chinstraps and the rare emperor penguin. How to tell them apart? Here’s a nifty guide. (Hint: It’s not hard.)

 

On board the National Geographic Explorer, a poster plots penguin species' locations. The Antarctic Peninsula (and colder temps) is at the bottom left.

 

The Adelie

At half the size of an emperor penguin, an adelie is one of the smallest penguin species. They are entirely black and white, and prefer colder climates.

The Gentoo

The easiest way to tell a gentoo apart from other penguin species is by the orange beak. They prefer moderate climates and can be found on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia as well as the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Chinstrap

Chinstraps are small like adelies, but like to hang out in sub-Antarctic climates like the gentoos. As adorable as they are, they are among the meanest penguin species.

The Emperor

Rarely seen on expeditions because they prefer colder inland climates, emperor penguins have a later mating period, making their chicks less likely to survive the winter and more worthy of their own Morgan Freeman-approved documentary. We were lucky enough to spot two emperors on different days, hunting alone near the water’s edge on the continent.

As Antarctica approaches summer, these birds will be making their appearances once again. TKGO’s Antarctica Week(s) may be coming to a close, but you’ll see plenty more in the Shot of the Week every Sunday. If you’re having withdrawal, just send me an email at Tara(at)TaraAndKarinaGoOut.com and we’ll see if we can make some of these photos into wallpaper for your apartment.

Happy exploring!

-Tara for TKGO