Scenic Cruising through the STRAIT OF MAGELLAN
Including the WRECK of the SANTA LEONOR, the GREY CHANNEL,
the SARMIENTO CANAL and the AMALIA GLACIER
Tuesday 27th March 2012
The day started off cloudy and dull with light to moderate and then sometimes heavy rain. And the wind was really quite severe. But, as in most places thoughout this region, it was though constantly changing.
The area we were in, the "Torres del Paine National Park" is a UNESCO World Bisphere Reserve and not surprisingly is one of Chile's most delicate and cherished natural treasures.
Hundreds of islands dotted the waterway, some quite "lunar-like" in their appearance showing solely bare rocks. Whilst others were teaming with vegetation from mosses to small bushes and others with forest-like trees.
Although no scheduled stops were due to be made enabling us to go ashore today, there were several points of interest to be seen along the way as well as the dramatic scenery all around us.
At around 08h30 the MS VEENDAM passed by the wreck of the "SANTA LEANOR" which sank when its Captain mistakenly steared the ship slightly off course and in the wrong direction whilst in a storm.
An hour of so later the MS VEENDAM arrived and entered the GREY CHANNEL.
Then at 12h00 the MS VEENDAM started to travel through the SARMIENTO CANAL.
But the highlight of the day was the MS VEENDAM sailing right up to the face of the majestic and icy blue AMALIA GLACIER.
Apparently after 11 cruises this season to the AMALIA GLACIER by the MS VEENDAM this was the clearest it had been. Enabling both the flow as well as the face of the glacier to be seen, as on previous occasions no more than just the face of the glacier had been seen.
During the early evening the MS VEENDAM continued on and travelled through the TRINIDAD CHANNEL before entering the PACIFIC OCEAN just before midnight into rolling seas with waves up to 5 metres high and the started to head north along the western Chilean coast of South America. Next stop will be PUERTO MONTT in Chile.
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