Cruising the Chilean Fjords Day 29, 2/23/20

As the title indicates, we are cruising the Chilean Fjords via the Straits of Magellan. Several observations: the Straits are anything but straight; it was a major miracle that he ever found his way through all these twists and turns surrounded by snow capped peaks of what appear to be volcanic rock (my geologist is attending a lecture on the area sea life-mostly penguins so I can’t confirm my assumption) without a map; it may be late summer here, but to this Texan it is cold; it is unspoiled nature at its best! No high lines. No billboards. No graffiti. No roads. We actually met another cruise ship yesterday and it caused quite a stir in the lounge. God also provided us with a beautiful rainbow. Likely the prettiest one I’ve ever seen. At one point it was even a double rainbow. Sadly, we did not capture it with our camera.

Tommy and I are apparently becoming known on board. Alternately as the “happy couple”, the dancers (up in the Horizons Lounge between 5 and 7 pm daily, the Insignia Show Band plays songs to which real people can actually dance and it is fun!) or I not by name but as the knitter. Still working on the Brio Fringed Poncho. It is rumored that our next stop is THE source for fiber. Why would it not be, it is in the heart of Patagonia! The sheep industry kept these people alive for decades. Oil has now been found, but haven’t seen any damage to the environment so far. Let’s hope it stays that was as I do like my creature comforts which oil provides.

At Santiago, the end of the first segment of this journey, we said goodbye to the first bridge instructor. For this segment, until Buenos Aires, we have a couple. This change was definitely progress! I am actually learning something from them. Possibly because they do not try to teach by intimidation as did the former instructor. We will not benefit from all their time aboard as we are taking a four day inland excursion and will rejoin the ship as they are leaving. I didn’t come all this way to take bridge lessons anyway.

Tomorrow is Punta Arenas, Chile then the next day is Usuaia, Argentina where we ride a train to the end of the world. We then are in the Atlantic and will head North after a little detour around the Falkland Islands. Still many wonders remain ahead!

Two things make me very uncomfortable, irritable, impatient and down right hard to live with. Change and uncertainty. We have been confronted with both this past week. In spades! Initially what was so intriguing about this trip was the idea of one last big hooray allowing me to see so much of the world I have heretofore only read of. Then things change. Our future destinations are as yet unknown past Cape Town. Western Australia seems to be an almost certainty followed perhaps by Auckland NZ. Then the South Pacific Islands? Not sure yet.

One thing that is certain, the World is a wondrous place. So incredibly beautiful, awesome, majestic, magnificent and any other superlative you can come up with that I am ever so thankful that we came on this trip. As Susie advised, just ride it out. See what tomorrow has in store.

This IS someday. Enjoy it.