White water

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Still not in Puerto Arenas yet but on our way.

8^th January

We arrived at our first port of call on the Chilean coast – a small town called Puerto Montt. Heavy German influence in this part of the world but again no beautiful architecture just low level functional homes and shops. BJB and I had signed up for white water rafting in the hope that there would not be many takers for that. In the event only 12 of the 1500 took the mini bus with us to go an hour east of the town through the more touristy Puerto Veras to the Petrohue river. It was raining when we arrived and the volcano hidden in the mists. Wet was never going to be an issue – in wet suits, helmets and waterproof jackets we road the rapids for 10 miles in very warm water – amazing. BJB and me were paddling like the blazes in the front of our boat – Fantastic. From the river the landscape was much more to my liking. Forests and mountains layered into the distance. The rain stopped but the volcano was still under a cloud

Back to the ship by 4pm a soak in one of the hot tubs and the usual 5 course dinner – it’s a tough job but someone has to eat all this food…

9^th January.

I noticed that the mat in the lifts tells you the day of the week. Apparently its Monday today according to the mat. We are cruising in the Pacific down the Patagonian coast. Busy day on board (apart from eating) – a lecture on Tectonics followed by one on the birds of the region – albatrosses and storm petrels here. After lunch it was a tango lesson – Brian was in a lecture with the ships doctor so missed out. I partnered some elderly American gent with 2 left feet. Then Tai Chi at 5pm – it’s a busy life –

Photos are almost impossible on this website so I will try to upload to facebook instead.

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