Follow me as I explore Chile and Patagonia. \240

One more day. As usual, I’m not ready but will be on the plane.

Arrived in Santiago, Chile. Eventful flight. Upgrade to Economy Plus then seat mate spills large glass of Cabernet Sauvignon all over me. Made for lovely flight.

Today I am touring Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar. \240the temperature today in Santiago is supposed to be a nice 73 degrees.

80% of the population of Valparaiso live on the hillside. Valparaiso was destroyed by the 1906 hurricane. The city was resettled on the hillside. There were 13 “elevators” or funiculars to bring people up from the main level. Valparaiso is at sea level. Valparaiso on the hillside is a colony of artists.

Chile suffered a 9.6 earthquake in 1916 that lasted 10 minutes.

Easter Island lies approximately 340 miles South of Valparaiso and is part of Chile. Only 2 original statues from Easter Island were found. One resides in Vina Del Mar and the other in England where the archeologist Fonck was from.

Today we say goodbye to Santiago and hello to the ship. We set sail at 6 this evening and have 2 days at sea, I believe. Stay tuned. \240On the way to the ship, one of the people decided she wanted to go to the sand dunes. Apparently she had read that there was a boardwalk and dunes you could ride boards down.

For Sally, I got 4 Manfredi’s reservations

Went to talk on the different science projects going on onboard. Going to talk regarding info on submarine excursion. Still haven’t made up my mind.

Thursday going horseback riding through \240Patagonia.

Today is a sea day. Going on ship tour and doing some talks today. Waiting on room service breakfast.

Still have live tv but limited to a few channels. At least getting to see the news.

The Hide is a favorite hangout as it is at the lowest level of the ship and you can see waves and wildlife from the windows.

We were told today that jeans can be worn in The Restaurant and Manfredi’s.

Today we are entering the Chilean Fjords. Along with this comes fittings for neoprene boots and waterproof pants for the excursions.

Got invite to dinner tomorrow night with Entertainment Director, Travel Consultant and Captain. Had to cancel my dinner plans to go. Hopefully will be fun.

Just got fitted for boots and pants for zodiac experience. Will be taking zodiac to glacier assuming weather clears. We are having heavy rain this afternoon.

Today we are in Castro, Chile. I am going horseback riding through Chiloe Island. \240When homes are built on Chiloe Island, they are built to be lived in for a person’s entire life. If that person moves, they move the house with them via tractor. \240The houses and businesses on the shore are built on stilts.

Today we are in Puerto Chacabuto, Chile. The weather is not cooperating today so no Special Ops boats, zodiacs or submarines. Just found out the area we are in is the “wettest place on earth”. \2408000 to 10,000 ml of water per year.

There is a lady that has 21 cruises to my 20 cruises on Viking. We had dinner last night with travel consultant, Entertainment Consultant and Captain.

Today is a sea day. The water is rough with high swells last night. It’s supposed to calm later this morning. Today we have a hangar tour and science lab tour. \240The submarines hold 6 passengers plus the pilot.

Doing rum tasting this afternoon. Stay tuned. \240There are 2 types of rum - light and heavy. Light is aged in steel barrels. Heavy is aged in oak barrels. Any liquor with XO in the name means extra aging. Zacapa XO was aged 25 years.

Saw 3 or 4 whales last night but were not able to get pictures. Today we are anchored in the Chilean fjords on our way to Pio XI glacier. These are some pictures from this morning. It is very cold and rainy. Expecting snow tomorrow.

We are 500 meters away from glacier which is 1800 meters height at center.

Today we are in a different set of fjords and will head to Glacier El Barijto this afternoon.

This morning we saw a sunken ship. I’m working on getting a side trip to Tierra Del Fuego for Sunday morning before flying home Sunday night. Keeping fingers crossed.

Today we are in Punta Arenas. The farthest point south with exception of Antarctica. This is the step off point for Antarctica.

Today we were supposed to take the “toys” and make a landing at the glacier and a hike to a lagoon. The weather is not amenable to that so the toys are coming out but no hike to lagoon. \240You have to roll with things.