It’s been a frustrating few days. There has been no WiFi in the hotel and internet reception is dire so uploading my blog has been impossible and I can’t log my daily adventures until I’ve publish the current ones.

Anyway, today was my final excursion here in Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile. I was off to see the Glaciers on a wee cruiser.

Pick up was 7:30 and I was standing, ready and willing with my rucksack packed for cold weather. It was a lovely surprise when I opened the blind in my room, the sun was shining and the skies were blue 👏

Off then to the port by taxi and aboard my vessel for the day

Gosh the cruiser was jam packed and the cackle was deafening. I managed to get a window seat and was quickly joined by two french couples who were lovely.

Off we went, our journey began up the watter strewn with wonderful scenery (I’d call it an open Loch if it were in Scotland, not sure what the correct terminology is here)

As always when on any boat, it was bitterly cold outside the cabin and trying to take photos was a test of endurance but it had to be done.

Full steam ahead to the first stop, a magnificent waterfall draining the hills into the lake below which was an amazing colour of pea green soup

Sailing on, we could see Balmaceda glacier in the distance. The clouds had now clagged in and it was beginning to spit. To get a decent photo spot on deck there had to be a bit of assertiveness demonstrated (pushing and shoving) otherwise I’d have been trampled to the ground. I picked a wee corner at the front of the deck and stood freezing to death until we were right in front of the ice flow. It’s amazing how some people think nothing of squashing right in front of you even though there is literally no room!

Back into the cabin for a quick defrost and a wee cup of ‘warm the cockles’ tea. The next stop was round the coast a little to the Serrano Glacier. Here we could get off the boat and go for a 30 min walk to be right at the edge for a closer view of this magnificent natural structure.

The photos just don’t reflect the enormity of this sight, the thickness of the iceflow was immense, the crystal azure blue shards of ice and the intense pea green shade of the melt water, it was just breathtaking scenery.

I hope I’ve taken so many amazing zoomed photos using my Fuji camera and will insert them when I get home but for now, iPhone photos will have to be suffice.

As well as my seefood (and eat it) diet, I have three other dreadful afflictions, 2) non existent navigational skills, 3) no concept of time 4) Appalling memory – hence the blog!

Today was the day to demonstrate my lack of no.3 and I do try, I really really do but I got so wrapped up in the magnificent scenery and completely forgot to look at my watch. There were loads of other people at the same spot as me and I assumed they were on the same boat – wrong!!! I had to run like the wind back to where we docked hoping that someone would notice that I wasn’t sitting in my seat – must admit, I did take a few grab shots as I was running back 🤣

Phew, made it, I was actually relieved to see the less infirm passengers hobbling across the terrain and I joined the back of the queue trying to look composed but actually looking slightly red faced, harassed and severely panting.

So, back onboard and a wee surprise for the passengers, a whisky on glacial ice rocks. I hate whisky, but the french people beside me raised their glass and said “Slainte” knowing I was Scottish. The least I could do was make an effort so I sipped from my glass until it was empty, grimacing and boaking at every swally!

Now the boat turned towards our lunch destination down the Loch ( we’ll call it that for now) where we disembarked and were fed, soup, BBQ chicken, lamb, potatoes, salad and wine. I didn’t eat the dessert, instead I went outside to play with the adorable 5 puppies that were running loose all round the grounds 🥰😍🤗

And not forgeting the horses standing in front of an amazing view

Back on board, sailing on our return journey. Time for me to review the photos and see where I had been on the whirlwind stop.

Disembarked at the port, collected my taxi back to the hotel and settled in for the night.

I’m transferring back to Punta Arenas tomorrow morning ( yip another challenge of getting the rucksack zipped), staying overnight then off in my last leg of this wonderful South American journey. Two and a bit weeks volunteering at a turtle conservation sanctuary in Uruguay 🐢 ( I know it’s a tortoise but it’s the closest emoji I could find) 😬

Nite 😘