From the Penguins of Antarctica to the Fjords of Chile and Patagonia

One of the things Jennifer was afraid of missing were the penguins. The migration was to take place during this time frame of late February, when they would all return to the sea to pass away the winter months. Well her fears could not have been further from reality. Penguins were everywhere. There were thousands and thousands of them. They were on land as well as diving like dolphins in the sea. Waddling around, feeding their young, fighting with one another and molting to get rid of chick feathers in order to be able to take to the sea. Our first inkling that they were nearby was that of the smell. I thought we were entering a fishing village with the pungent smell of fish coming from the harbour. No harbour here. Just the smell of penguin pooh. Everywhere we stopped penguins and more penguins. They are cute and dumb, but an essential link in the ever evolving eco system. The ships program called for a stop and landing in the morning followed by a short cruise and 2nd landi...

The 3 ½ hour flight from Buenos Aires to the end of the world, would take us one step closer to our ultimate destination of Antarctica. Ushuaia, is literally the most southern city in the world and the gateway to the Tierra Del Fuego National Park. No doubt many have seen the pictures but to observe in person is a spiritual experience. The crystal water infamous Beagle Channel in the foreground with the mountains in the background is what camera photos are all about. Our morning was unusually sunny for the region but the legendary winds later appeared in the afternoon. Later that afternoon we boarded what was to be our home for the next two weeks. The MV Fram parked next to a mega ship was testament that our trip would be unique. With a total of about 220 fellow travelers we started our journey across the fabled Drake Passage. We were exhausted, so slept soundly, but as the night advanced so did the swelling of the seas. I kept vertical in bed the next morning, afraid to get up...

The flight was long and would have been relatively uneventful except for the most dramatic electric storm we have ever encountered. As we flew down the eastern coast of South America, across the Amazon River and forest, there was a tremendous lightning show which continued for the better part of an hour. Fortunately, looking out my window, I could see that it was probably a couple of miles away and a few thousand meters below us. Trying to outrun Mother Nature can be futile at times but fortunately no harm was done, but a little nerve racking none the less. We have been to Buenos Aires previously but regardless, entering the city via Avenue 9 Julio, the widest boulevard in the world I could still feel the presence of Evita Peron along with the ghosts and spirit of the revolution which took place in the late 1940’s. One of the most cosmopolitan cities I have ever visited, the pink tree blossoms, blue skies and warm weather, signal the coming season of autumn. Over the course o...