The first two days on the ferry from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt took us through spectacular landscapes, and even the time on the Golfo de Penas, where seasickness can quickly afflict those unwise enough not to have taken dramamine, proved a delight because of the birds — albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters — following the ship.Not much to see on the final day, although those of us on deck early did see the spouts of many whales in the distance. I managed to get the binoculars onto one directly ahead, and given the size and the presence of the dorsal fin, this was almost certainly a blue whale.
If you're thinking of doing this journey, I suggest embarking at Puerto Montt for the trip south to Puerto Natales. This gets the largely uneventful day over first, while the novelty of sailing's still fresh. After that, the journey becomes increasingly spectacular.
[New post up on Pohanginapete.]
[9 December 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 14–45 mm at 14 mm, ISO 100, 1/3 at f11]
All content © 2011 Pete McGregor
The stuff of dreams. And aren't albatrosses and petrels amazing.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child, they are indeed amazing. I spent a long time watching them, sometimes through the binoculars, sometimes with my eyes, always with my mind — particularly the informed imagination.
ReplyDeleteAfter that journey I realized that two days was enough for me. I can't imagine taking a ten day cruise! If I had to do it over again I would embarked at Pto. Montt.
ReplyDeleteMaureen, the north to south journey seems a much better option.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I could cope with an eleven day Antarctic cruise ;^)