Punta Arenas, Chile

Cormorants, Gulls, and other sea birds waiting on the dock - just for us!!!

At the Penguin colony, we saw this little guy who ignored us in favor of something else. But we didn't know because he didn't speak English.

This was a colony of Magellanic Penguins - named after Magellan.
They build burrows for their eggs and chicks.

What do penguins do at the beach?
Swim, sunbathe, and talk to their friends.

A group of penguins headed for the party on the beach.

Parent and chick

Another parent and chick.
The chicks mostly just eat and sleep. They have to put all of their energy into
growing to adult size as soon as possible.

They also raise a lot of sheep here.
I've never seen such thick fleece on sheep and it's the middle of summer!

This statue is in the middle of town. If you rub or kiss the foot of the Indian
(the gent in the middle is touching the foot)
legend says that you will return.

Full scale replica of Magellan's ship in the process of being built.

Petruohue Falls - Chilean Patagonia near Puerto Montt

These young people were dancing in the parking lot - literally. I don't know if they were just doing it for fun or what. There was no hat to put money into. Enjoyed it!

Lichen growing on the trees. Very interesting.

Another interesting plant.

The Petrohue Falls are really rapids. But they are very impressive. I loved the power of the water and it's turquoise blue color.

One more interesting plant.

People were throwing coins into this stream.

The water actually cut deep channels into the lava rock. Look at the people on the path to the right for a feeling of perspective.

Just above the falls.

More Photos - a hodgepodge

Back down in the Antarctic

A common view of the electrical system in one of the older sections of Puerto Montt

A view from a Chilean Ford

Wild Fushias in one of the parks we visited in Chile

Penguin colony - these gues are headed for the ocean. We were only a few feet away.

This is the postmaster in Tierra Del Fuego. I was in line to mail postcards. There is no post office further south. The post office was a tiny little building on the end of a pier. No electricity. The light was a coleman lantern.

This was a beautiful plant similar to Mistletoe called Oriental Crown. It grows in Tierra Del Fuego.

Antarctic photos

This is one of hundreds of pictures showing the beauty of Antarctica!
We have been crusing along the peninsula.

The air temperature wasn't bad, but the wind chill made it very cold. This is the sourernmost point of our journey. We couldn't legally go much further south.

It is very hard to get a good photo of these guys - they move very quickly through the water!

First day in Antarctica

Yes, that is snow in the foreground. It was snowing sideways.

Elephant Island (what you can see of it) is our first stop. It is where an explorer by the name of Earnest Shakleton made landfall after losing his boat and spending 2 winters on the Antarctic ice. Incredible story!

closeup of Elephant Island

ice chunks on deck

How many people do you think experience a snowstorm on a cruise ship?

Another update

Here is the view of Buenos Aires as we are pulling away. You can see only a small portion of the skyline.

Our stateroom - or rather, state-closet! Very compact.

The tender - or shuttle boat - that takes us to shore when the harbor is too shallow for the ship.

Our first good look at Stanley, capital of the Falklands.

Window in the Christ Church there.

Arch made of whalebones in the churchyard.

The Church

The Globe Tavern where we had lunch - fish and chips.

In the background, you can see our ship rising above the mountains surrouding the harbor. It is more than 17 stories high. If it were a hotel, it would be the largest hotel in South America.

Sunrise this morning was at 4:52 am. This is the sunset at 9:07 pm. Temperature today was about 50 F.

Tomorrow's sunrise will be 4:42 am and sunset at 9:32 pm. The days get longer as we approach the Antarctic - only one day away!!!!!