ANTARCTICA & SOUTH AMERICA
(Scroll down to view slideshows for each point of interest)
SANTIAGO, CHILE (Slideshow - Click Play at Top Left of Main Photo)
VALPARAISO, CHILE (Slideshow - Click Play at top left of main photo)
PUERTO MONTT & PUERTO VARAS, CHILE (Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
CASTRO, CHILE a small fishing port
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Puerto Chacabuco, Chile a tiny fishing port but gateway to National Parks (not visited)
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Messier Strait - wreck of the MV Capitan Leonadis.
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
The MV Capitan Leonadis is an interesting wreck. It was basically an insurance scam to claim the money for the ship and its cargo of sugar. The captain first sold the cargo then ran the ship aground on rocks in 1963 in Canal Messier, Chile. As can be seen, the ´sinking´went wrong and after an insurance investigation, he eventually went to prison and lost his captains licence for life.s captains licence for life.
Tempanos Glacier, Chile
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
The Tempanos Glacier was our first close-up view of a glacier. The colours of the ice were really dramatic.
Beagle Channel & Glacier Alley
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Punta Arenas, Chile.
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
USHUAIA & TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Cape Horn
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Antarctica - a brief introduction
Antarctica is only slightly smaller than South America in land mass. We visited the Antarctic Penninsula which is about 800 miles long, of which we cruised along about 400 miles. I cannot begin to describe the majesty of the landscape. The silence (apart from the odd penguin colony) is strange to our ears as we are so used to the noise of everyday living. It is, without doubt, the most stunningly beautiful place I have ever visited and probably will ever visit. You are surrounded by majestic mountains with glaciers calving into the sea and icebergs that are much larger than our cruise ship. I have kept captions to a minimum as words cannot really do justice to the landscape.
Antarctica - Day 1
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Antarctica - Day 2 Palmer Station
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Antarctica - Day 3 Deception Island
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Antarctica - Day 4 Hope Bay
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Antarctica - Day 4 Admiralty Bay
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Falkland Islands
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Puerto Madryn, Argentina (mainly Sea Lions)
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Onboard Ship
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Montevideo, Uruguay
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
(Slideshow - click PLAY at top Left of main photo)
Buenos Aires is a vibrant capital city, albeit with some very poorly maintained footpaths (sidewalks). The central area near the port contains government buildings, parks and shopping areas. However, a bus ride will take you to the colourful area of La Boca (The Mouth) full of painted buildings and cafes with tango demonstrations.