All Our Bags Are Packed!: South America 2019: Trip Notes # 10

South America 2019: Trip Notes # 10

We have been so lucky with the weather. Temperatures ranged from the 40's to 105 in the same day. Everyday the ship's staff stated that this was the best weather (ever) that they had experienced in this part of the world.

Even in summer time (in this part of the world), the weather is unpredictable. 100 inches of rain is quite common in a year. On most days, we have been sailing on "glass."

However, on the day that we were to see the third of our "penguin experiences," the water was so rough and dangerous that a "fast boat" that was to be used to transport us to the penguin area was cancelled. Notice the waves.

We learned that quite often bad weather will cause the cancellation of such a tour. One of the passengers mentioned that his four previously attempts to see the Falklands penguins was thwarted due to bad weather. Lucky for us (and for him) his fifth try was successful.

No, We Are Not Skiing In Mammoth - This Is Summertime In Chile

Many homes located in villages and towns are painted bright colors in an attempt to cheer things up a bit when almost all year around it can be cold and gloomy . Can you find our ship in the picture?

Most of the towns are poor. In fact, many of the homes use wood-burning stoves to heat up the rooms. Often, the weather will be so bad that the smoke exiting from the stove's metal pipes will be hanging low over the town - not very healthy for the locals.

Similar to Recoleta (Buenas Ares) where Evita is buried, there are other areas which have large and ornate mausoleums where wealthy locals can be buried

We were able to do a quick tours of local outdoor and indoor museums.

Old Steam Shovel

Two Big Wheels - One Human

Original Cars

Spanish Helmet - Dagger In Perfect Condition

Bird With a Third Leg

Late 1930's B&W Projector Converted For Sound

Check Out The Bathtub

Interesting Typewriter

Magellan Statue - seen as a hero here.

Rub The Foot: Good Luck - Guaranteed To Return

Happened to see the Beginning Of A Flag Ceremony

Tall Guards

"RBG" Visits Ship - Dances With Crew

Typical Urban Telecom/Communication Wiring System

No Sugar - No Calories: Just Chemicals!

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Most of the Patagonia area that we have visited can definitely be considered - the frontier. We can't emphasize enough how rugged and desolate this area is. There are very few people. Also, it is mostly void of plant and animal life ......think in terms of the moon. Most of this area has not yet been mapped leaving many opportunities for further exploration.

We Have Been Very Lucky To Experience Patagonia From South/East Argentina To South/West Chile. Underneath heavy jackets and a fleece are other layers including thermals. Gloves were a necessity. Yes, it's summertime and the day is gorgeous!

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Several "small world" situations. We met two English couples that know our London friends. Then, we met a couple whose daughter married a friend of Heather. (They live in Sullivan Canyon - minutes from our home). The couple also know many of Heather's high school friends.

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The food on board has been excellent. There is only one problem. Most people think of today's (fresh food) as "Farm to Restaurant." Not our situation. It is "Fork to Mouth!" Oh well...

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There was a surreal moment as the ship maneuvered through one of Chile's inland passages. We happened to look out our veranda door and saw small icebergs float passed us.

Not only was this exciting for the passengers, even the crew was coming out onto the decks to take their own pictures. Most of the crew have homes in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia or the Philippines. They have never seen snow or been in a cold climate. In fact, many of the crew do not have warm jackets.