Due to some undiscovered circumstance the website was down for close to a week. After multiple hours of support from the webhost we were able to get the site restored from backup. Thank you for your understanding. Onward!
The last few travel log posts have shared memories of our adventures in Portugal at the end of 2023. This is a current update on our whereabouts. As of 2/23/24 we’ve returned northward from our second Antarctica voyage through Tierra del Fuego and on up the coast of Chile through lush green fjords. Ever wondered why the cold, wet, green landscape of Tierra del Fuego was called the land of fire? The name is attributed to Ferdinand Magellan who apparently spotted a number of fires burning on land as he sailed through in 1520 while circumnavigating the globe.
Southern Patagonia
After visiting Cape Horn we made stops at Ushuaia, Argentina and Punta Arenas, Chile before heading through the Strait of Magellan into the Chilean fjords. The fjords are gorgeous, extending right up from the water into rocky mountainsides hosting lush green and brown vegetation interspersed with many waterfalls. Some of the notable highlights of our voyage through the fjords were passing the 1968 wreck of the SS Santa Leonor, watching Peale’s dolphins in Peel Fjord, and visiting the beautiful blue wall of Brujo Glacier.
Northern Patagonia
Over the next few days we continued northward along the coast of Patagonia. Our stops through this region included the tiny Patagonia gateway town of Puerto Chacabuco, colorful Castro on Isla Chiloe, and the oceanside city of Puerto Montt. While the snow capped mountains of Patagonia were still present in the distance, the waters we traversed through this region showed us a less rugged, more domesticated terrain. We were visibly leaving the wilds of Southern Chile and heading back towards the more civilized world, truly wrapping up our Antarctic adventure.
Other Thoughts
Frankly, there aren’t always exciting things to note about every little town that the cruise ship stops at. Most passengers will get off the ship bound for some adventurous excursion. Dragon can’t take part in those because she has work duties on board the ship daily. Dog generally chooses to simply wander the streets to get a more realistic, hands on feel for these ports. The towns throughout this part of the world are typically small, but always have something to offer. Whether that is great street art, monuments and buildings of note, people watching, local cafes, or basic natural elements to photograph. We try to gain a realistic feel for what these places are truly like.
One thing we noted is that goods in this part of Chile seem to be better priced than in the United States, Europe, and even other parts of South America. We did some shopping in Castro and Puerto Montt where we found a surprising number of outdoor clothing stores. Some of our favorite brands are prominent in South America like Merrell, Stanley, and Columbia.
Due to the delay in posting caused by the website SNAFU we’re now headed back through the fjords in the other direction. The return journey is just as beautiful and we consider ourselves lucky to experience this part of the world in so much detail. Let us know in the comments if you have specific questions or any recommendations about travelling around South America. Cheers.
The North Face Thermoball Eco Jacket 2.0
Like that sick orange North Face puffy and need your own? Check out the coat making Dog’s South America and Antarctica cruising a cozy adventure. You don’t even have to go with orange, but you probably should.
The North Face Thermoball Eco Vest 2.0
Maybe you’re just in need of the vest. Depends on the occasion and the weather, eh? Dog isn’t sure how he always ends up with orange, it just sort of happens. Fortunately, The North Face makes both versions in multiple colors.
Very nice. Welcome back. It is not that the two of you look like the Lovers Statue, but you somehow look like the Lovers Statue.
Hahaha! Unbelievable… ;0)
The Penguin pictures are amazing and definitely worth cruising through the Drake! The street art images are my favorite though!!!! Somehow it makes people and places around the world all seem more real and more alike even though they speak different languages and have unique histories.
We just love the street art everywhere we go. It is a cultural phenomenon all around the world.
I love the big photos with captions! Cool to know what the things are.
Very colorful pics this time!
Eh, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.