March 1 Wulaia Bay
We visit Wulaia Cove.
We took a Zodiac and deboarded onto this long dock.
We discard our lifevests and will collect them after our hike.
Pretty view of bay from sea level.
We pass by this small museum on our hike. We'll visit it before we head back to the ship. It amazing to think the only access to this museum is by boat!
This plaque on the outside of the building commemorates Charles Darwin's visit to this bay.
A representation of a hut used by early natives, the Yagans, nomadic natives who have inhabited this area of Patagonia for 7000 years.
Dwellings are described here. Though these photos of Yagans in the 1880's show them clothed, early explorers were shocked at how little to no clothing Yagans wore especially in the cold and rainy climate. They kept warm by covering themselves in animal grease to trap heat and provide an extra layer of fat. They kept a fire going even in their canoes.
We use this bridge to cross a boggy area.
Our naturalist, Angeles, explaining how this mold spore was eaten. It was called Indian's bread.
Angeles was very expressive as well as informative about the flora and fauna.
Heading up we stop for a little break.
A fishing boat in Wulaia bay.
A part of our group and Angeles overlooking Wulaia bay.
Heading down on this pretty day after the pretty views.
Now to check out the museum.
Inside the museum we view a Yagan boat.
Distribution of the original ethnic groups.
About the spiritual life of the Yagans.
More about their spiritual life.
A replica of the old sailers mailbox. Sailers would leave mail to be picked up by other sailers going to the addressed destination. We found a postcard to Houston which we will deliver.
Robert Fitz-Roy made two expeditions to Patagonia 1826-30 and 1832-36. He circumnavigated the world on his second one. That trip also included a very young Charles Darwin. These expeditions provided information about the geography, flora, fauna and inhabitants of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Fitz-Roy's accurate charting of the routes of the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn made travel safer for future sailors.
Before boarding the zodiacs back to our ship we are treated to hot chocolate with Jim Beam added. Very nice!
Heading back to our ship. Must say Wulaia Bay's a very pretty place!
Martini's on the ship. Must be Wednesday!
Celebrating Lucy's birthday! We all shared in the cake and it was delicious.
Wednesday evening in Wulaia Bay. Just beautiful.
Thursday March 2 Pia Glacier
We line up for a Zodiac ride to Pia Glacier this morning. The board in the background of this photo is where we hang up our vest tags. This is the way captain, crew and tour leaders know that everyone is back on board later.
On the way to Pia Glacier.
Jan and Linda in front of Pia Glacier. The glacier starts in the Darwin Icefield.
Through the ice chunks to our landing.
Walking up to a lookout point.
Pia Glacier.
Looking down on Pia Glacier. As we did at several stops on the trip our guides had us stop for a moment of silence lasting several minutes. Everybody was glad we had these moments. They helped us enjoy the experience of our surroundings.
We take this video of a caracara bird and while filming hear the crack and beginning splash of Pia Glacier calving which we luckily catch in this video.
Another calving of Pia.
We hike down.
Continuing down the rock, the ropes help to keep us safe on the slick rock. Across the way we see scree rocks from a retreating glacier to the right of Pia. Our ship can be seen in distance (right).
Taking Zodiac back to the ship from Pia Glacier.
Leslie, Barry, Emerson and Tincho enjoying the spray as we take an afternoon Zodiac ride to our next glacier.
Porter Glacier.
A good view of Porter Glacier and learning about glacial ice from Rodrigo.
Glacier ice.
Our very capable zodiac pilot. Pat and Robert seated next to him.
Back on the ship we have a great view of Pia Glacier from our cabin. Note the tiny zodiacs in the distance. They were from the sister ship, Stella Australis, doing the reverse route of our trip.
Class time Thursday evening.
Friday Mar 3, Agostini Sound. Aguila & Condor Glaciers.
Under way to our next spot
We assembled for the zodiacs on the 5th deck.
Linda heads out before Emerson.
Angeles points out kelp.
Angeles talks about kelp.
The holdfast was small but strong.
Lots of interesting fungi
and more.
These were really interesting.
We were walking along the beach and turned a corner and there was Aguila Glacier.
This glacier hasn't changed much since early explorers in 1930.
Our OAT group in front of Aguila Glacier.
Along our walk we take a detour through the "lichen and moss forest".
A lovely path through the trees.
Upon exiting the forest we're even closer to Aguila Glacier.
Edible Prickly Heath berries.
More delicious hot chocolate on the beach.
Waiting for lunch after Aguila viewing, we share our photos from the morning.