Antarctica 2022

We arrived in Punta Arenas overnight.  We left the ship at 8am and were taken on a coach and walking tour of Punta Arenas before going to the airport for the 3.5 hour flight to Santiago.  The tour was really good and we got to see quite a lot of the city. View from city centre Railings to help citizens walk  during high winds. Punta Arenas is the 4th windiest  city in the world.  The Cathedral Monkey Puzzle Tree, native to this region We arrived in Santiago and checked into the Sheriton Hotel with full details for our flight home the following day. We had a walk around the area and found a nice bar to eat at near to the hotel.   Tomorrow we catch our flight back home via Madrid so this is the end of a wonderful holiday.

We had a PCR test today as required to enter Chile. There was a lecture from the marine biologists on extracting DNA from sea water samples to identify which creatures have passed through the area.   We then were invited onto the bridge to meet the captain and see how the ship is driven.  That was interesting as he explained how he manoeuvres through the icebergs. In the afternoon the expedition team gave a review of the past 3 weeks and showed us the photos and videos that the on board photographers have taken.  We will get a copy of this in about 6 weeks time. We entered the Magellen Strait at around 6pm earlier than I expected.  It is extremely wide at the entrance and we could barely see land either side.   I went on deck and was lucky enough to see some Commersons Dolphins.

Our last day in the Falkland Islands.   The ship stayed at Saunders Island overnight so we were not rocked about.  During breakfast it moved a short distance to Westpoint Island. After breakfast we were taken to the landing site where we were met by the caretaker of the island.  The island has been owned by the same family since 1879.  At the moment the family are away and a caretaker is looking after things. Like Carcass Island yesterday, it is really beautiful and scenic.  We walked across the island to Devils Nose Point to see Albatross nesting colonies and a few Rockhopper Penguins but unfortunately they didn't 'hop' for us. On our return we were invited to walk around the grounds of the small settlement and see the gardens and vegetable area.  We noticed that the Ships Head Chef was there buying fresh veg for our remaining meals. Westpoint Farmhouse Beach on Westpoint Island  View on Westpoint Island  Brown Faced Ground Tyrant Albatross ...

We had an early start with zodiacs leaving at 8.30 for Carcass Island.  There was a high swell and it was very windy so we got wet both ways. Carcass Island is very beautiful and deserves a better name but apparently it is named after a ship that sailed here many years ago.  The island is farmed by a family who allow access to visiting expedition ships and who also offer B&B accommodation. The excursion was a 9 km hike around the island to a beach with Magellanic Penguins (which we had seen previously swimming in the Beagle Channel) and Gentoo Penguins.  The views were spectacular and the end beach could easily have been in the Caribbean as the sand was very fine and white.  The hike was not easy and not helped by a very tight time schedule. Carcass Island from Fram View from Carcass Island Tussock grass. Breeding ground for Magellanic Penguins  Cows with Upland Goose on the farm Small islets off the coast of Carcass Island Combination of Gentoo and  Ma...