Chile Fjords-Patagonia Day 10

OAT Day 10 - Sunday, December 9, 2007 - Amalia Glacier - Sarmiento Channel - Antrim Fjord

The first night on the ship was very turbulent. We had four to five foot swells but the ship was steady and we slept well. We went up on the deck to look around before breakfast and were treated to a pair of playful dolphins.

Breakfast was a very beautiful buffet with many kinds of fresh fruit, meats, cheeses, cereals, and sweet cakes. As we ate our breakfast we began to see ice floating on the channel.

The farther we traveled the more ice we saw. We had our first glimpse of the Amalia Glacier, a very impressive 1500 foot rise from the fjord.

Our captain took us right to the edge of the receding ice. We went up to the top deck of the ship and were lucky to take photos of the glacier calving, huge chunks came crashing off the blue ice.

Two of the sailors from the Skorpios III took a small boat down into the ice. They threw a chain net over one of the huge chunks of ice and towed it back to our ship for cocktails this evening.

The weather on the deck was very calm, 4 mph winds, 41°, and 94% humidity. After spending an hour with the glacier it began to rain so we went downstairs.

At 10 AM we went to the Apollo Lounge to listen to Ruben, the cruise director, give a talk on glaciations. He told us many of the technicalities of the formation of glaciers.

He also explained the significance of this glacial icefield. Over 90% of our fresh water reserves are in glaciers, glaciers control the temperature of the earth, and they also regulate the level of the seas.

We had some time to work and read so we took the opportunity to take the computer to the lounge to sort and organize our pictures. I had met some Brazilians on board so we also chatted with them and what city they were from.

Just after lunch our group was given the opportunity to visit the engine room and talk to the chief engineer. At 4:30 the ship sailed into the Antrim Fjord to refill our fresh water supply. The sailors lowered the launches and we were able to take a 90 minute boat ride along this unspoiled shoreline.

We saw the flightless steamer duck that seems to run over the water. We also saw a sea lion and more playful porpoises that swam next to our launch.

We got back to the ship at 7:30 and went to the lounge for a warm up drink and to talk to our friends. At 8:30 we had our call to dinner and joined the rest of the passengers in the dining room

Today was the birthday of a gentleman from Brazil and tomorrow is Carol Barry's birthday. We celebrated by singing happy birthday to both and the captain’s wife presented us with a delicious cake for all of us to enjoy.

As we returned to our room at 10:00 the sun was just beginning to set. We worked on our journal and pictures before retiring. The ship dropped anchor at Eyre Inlet so that we would have a tranquil night sleep.

Accommodations: Skorpios III Ship - - - Meals: B, L, D

If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.

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Day 12: Mediterranean Navigation

Gabor Kiss - Head Chef

Clifford - Restaurant Manager

Satish, Glen, and Ayal - Table Servers

Hanafi - Cabin Steward

Wayan - Bar Tender

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