Cruising the Chilean fjords and viewing the Amalia Glacier Sat Feb 23, 2013

SATURDAY FEB 23, 2013 TOURING THE CHILEAN FJORDS AND VIEWING THE AMALIA GLACIER

While today is considered a sea day because no ports are visited it is anything but a normal dull routine day at sea.

After leaving Punta Arenas we started our journey up the west coast of South America – from previous research and videos this area is considered to be like the fjords of Norway or the Inside Passage to Alaska and as the day processed it certainly fitted the latter.

Upon awaking and having my usual light breakfast in the International Cafe on Deck 5 I ventured outside to take in the scenery – we had already entered the passage as there was land on both sides of the ship and as the day progressed under sunny skies it became a photographer's mecca – islets, ragged peaks – definitely more pronounced than those on the Inside Passage cruise. I would spend the better part of the day outside on deck – either Deck 7 or up top on Deck 15 – needed to dress warmly as there was a persistent breeze that kept the temps cool.

The highlight of the day was expected to be the viewing of the Amalia Glacier – similar in nature to the Marjorie and John Hopkins Glaciers in Glacier Bay in Alaska – we kept wondering when we would see the real thing – there are a number of snow capped peaks and glaciers visible in the area and as the 4 o'clock came we started to see what everyone was waiting for – the bridge and cruise director were keeping us informed of our progress – I had gotten a good advantage point up on Deck 15 forward so was able to take photos and video to my heart's content – despite the sunshine which became obscured as the day progressed and even produced a localized shower right over the ship it was windy and after two hours of getting a good wind burn it was time to head inside to warm up.

The Amalia Glacier is a tide water glacier – that is – it empties directly into the ocean – there wasn't much calving going on as there was only a few pieces of ice floating in the ocean.

Finally at around 5PM the ship dropped anchor and everyone was able to get a good view – then the ship did a 360 so everyone got a view – the sun also came out for a brief moment. Certainly a highlight for many – especially if you haven't done either Alaska or Norway.

Then it was back to the cabin to upload the photos and video – tomorrow is a true sea day and then it is Puerto Montt.

It was while I was out on deck that I noticed a woman wearing a Vancouver 2010 blue jacket out and went over an introduced myself – she was a driver at the village – I only had my blue toque with me and by that time I had taken it off.

She commented that when she was ashore in Punta Arenas and wearing the jacket that a person came up to her and recognized what the jacket meant. Not sure if she was in Vancouver for the Games or was just aware of their meaning.

Cheers!