About this blog . . . .

In the introduction to his book, PATAGONIA - At the Bottom of the World, Dick Lutz wrote: "Patagonia is a region, not a country. It spans the southern third of Chile and Argentina, stretching between the Pacific and the Atlantic roughly from Puerto Montt, Chile and Peninsula Valdes, Argentina south [until] it meets the famous waterways of the Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, and Drake Passage (or Drake Strait). The northern limit of Patagonia is ill-defined, while the border between Chile and Argentina divides the region." Patagonia is sparsely populated, so much so that in 1991 the Hudson volcano erupted and no human was injured, even though this eruption was larger than that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980.
Ivan and I have been eyeing this area for a visit for quite some time. The possibility is great that we will see penguins, guanacos, Steamer Ducks (Flightless as well as Flying!), as well as many dozens of other remarkable animals and birds, to say nothing of the insects, reptiles, mountains. I'd better stop here. Writing these blogs has been a source of much pleasure for me, so if you follow us on our trip, my hope is that you will learn something about this unusual place, and will have a bit of fun reading of our adventures and, in some cases, misadventures!
REMEMBER TO READ FROM THE BOTTOM UP! The latest post will be at the top of the page, with earlier posts below it.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Dec. 13 - WHALES!

We had no more disembarkations scheduled once we were all back on board. The Stella was headed for the port of Ushuaia which we were to reach tonight. We would sleep on board and make our final disembarkation after breakfast. In the afternoon, Ivan and I were getting our things sorted and packed for our long journey home when, over the PA system, came the announcement that there were whales off the port bow! I raced out of our cabin while Ivan tried to assemble his camera. There was a large pod of Minke whales all around the ship!  There was a small party of three off the port bow and Carolyn snapped this photo of me watching several more off the stern portside:

Judy, you'll note that I'm wearing the Gumbo Limbo T-shirt you gave me!
In the excitement of the moment, I had dashed out with no shoes on! But to see Minke whales, which I had never seen before, was a BIG thrill! Ivan took these two very nice photos:

Trio of Minke Whales

As we rounded the Cape, Ivan also took these interesting photos from the sea, looking back at the Cape:
This is Cape Horn. We are south of the island, looking to the north.
After rounding the Horn, we are now traveling northwest, looking northeast at this island.
Sunset on Dec. 13 was at 10:12PM
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