Navimag Journey

Merry Xmas Everyone.

Ours has been pretty swell (no pun intended) so far. We spent the last 4 days on board the Navimag passenger and cargo Ferry Magellenes en route from Puerto Natales (Chile) in Tierra del Fuego to Puerto Montt (also Chile). It turned out to be one of the most relaxing portions of our journey so far. We were only in open waters for about 12 hours so it was pretty smooth sailing through the protected fjords. Most of our days were spent in the pub on the upper deck reading, swapping stories with other travelers, and waiting for mealtimes, or outside leaning into the cold winds and scanning the fjords and bays for signs of life. Other than the odd seal or albatross it was a pretty desolate if pristine and stunning landscape. (In past voyages Orcas and other whales had been spotted)

The steep ice capped mountains that rise up from the narrow channels were once home to a group of indigenous peoples who would swim naked in the icy waters collecting shellfish that were the basis of their diets. These days few traces of their society remain although we did stop in at Puerto Eden an extremely isolated fishing community home to the last dozen or so who speak the language. Other highlights included a quick detour up one of the fjords for a glimpse at one many glaciers that flows down from the cordillera to the sea; and watching the fast moving hail storms pass by the ship.

Last night, Xmas eve, the galley crew served turkey and applesauce to go with the bottles of wine everyone brought on board with them and the festive atmosphere was enjoyed by all. There was bingo and dancing late into the night for those who cared to join and phosphorescent plankton beneath the bow for those looking for a quieter more contemplative space.

Among the 160 passengers who chose to travel this way over Chistmas there was a multitude of nationalities, including but not limited to, Venezaulens, Ecuadorians, Americans, Brits, Spainiards, French, Fins, Norwegians, Dutch, Germans, Koreans, Swiss, Israelis, Belgians and of course the Chilean crew

The crew was fantastic, and they took quite a liking to our friend Jonatha, a captain in her own right, of a dive boat in Hawaii, who managed to get some of us a tour of the engine room and herself an invite to the officers dining room.

Photos will be up soon but for now we are back on land and getting ready to get back on the bus, headed north to Santiago, Chao, Feliz Navidad a todos y nos vemos pronto.