Today we were able to explore the small fishing village of Tortel. This small town of approximately 500 people sits in the beautiful setting of the Patagonian fjords and is perched on the hillside above a small cove. Fishing boats dot the coast and an intricate system of boardwalks connects the houses and businesses found here. I was lucky enough to lead a photo walk with an enthusiastic group of guests into the town. It was great fun to wander this sleepy little town, as was evident on the smiles on everyone’s faces as we made our way back to the ship. It’s such fun to look for interesting photos in places like these. The board walks, old fishing boats, and people of the town made for great subject matter for our photography.
After boarding the ship and having lunch, I was able to give a lecture on smart phone photography. It was wonderful to see such interest and enthusiasm from all the guests as we worked through how to use your phone’s camera to its maximum potential. As we finished the presentation, we sailed through the Martinez channel, an absolutely beautiful place where the terrain closes in on both sides and surrounds us with temperate rainforest and beautiful Patagonian fjords. This is truly what I think of when I think of “fjords.” We took our new smartphone camera skills out on deck and put them to use while taking in all the scenery had to offer. We have been very fortunate today to not have any rain during our time outside, and the temperature was perfect for the outdoor BBQ that we had at tea time. What a treat.
We spent the rest of the afternoon taking in the views aboard the ship as we made our way south keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife along the way. This may have been the best day so far to spend some time out on deck enjoying the weather and scenery.
Recap was (as always) a special treat. I am amazed at how much information the staff of naturalists has to offer, and tonight we got to learn more about the Remote Operating Vehicles (ROV), the history of Tortel, and sustainable conservation efforts of the World Wildlife Fund.
