Saturday, November 30, 2019, Chilean Fjords

Chilean Fjords

A pristine paradise of soaring peaks, countless lush islands teeming with wildlife and a tapestry of glaciers and rivers spilling into shimmering waters, the fjords of Chile are heralded as one of the most rugged and untamed places on earth.  Sailing in the wake of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, naturalist Charles Darwin and other renowned explorers, we saw this untouched wilderness much as they did.  As we cruised along, we marveled at breathtaking vistas:  Vast ice fields, described by Darwin as “many glaciers beryl blue,” flow to the water’s edge from Andean mountainsides.  Serene fishing villages hug tranquil shores against backdrops of dramatic forested hills.  Filigreed rivulets careen down steep slopes.  We even spotted resident elephant seals and sea lions lounging on rocky beaches.  This is scenic cruising at its most dazzling.

Wednesday evening into Thursday (Thanksgiving) morning we traveled from the east end of the blue course line, passed Ushuaia, and continued westerly on the Beagle Channel to pass by the six glaciers mentioned in the November 28 blog post.  Friday morning we continued out into the Pacific Ocean a short distance then sailed northerly to the last curve on the blue course line.  This morning we sailed easterly from the last curve to two more glaciers, the last being Agostini Glacier.

We then back tracked to the final curve and traveled north to Punta Arenas where we will dock for the night.  Tomorrow we are signed up for both a morning and an afternoon excursion. 

 Agostini Glacier.

  

Punta Arenas is on the Strait of Magellan, a shortcut for smaller ships in lieu of going around Cape Horn.