The last two days have been magical. The ship has been running up through the fjords in glorious sunshine, so shorts and short sleeves have been the order of the day. This is not withstanding the glaciers that have been seen, running down to the shoreline. Yesterday, we passed a stranded ship!
Apparently, it was a Greek cargo-liner. About 40 years ago, she was transitting the fjords, and on this particular day, the captain left the bridge with the pilot, to have lunch. The officer of the watch did not know that in this particular fjord there was a bank to one side of the centreline, about one hundred metres wide and a kilometre long. The ship ran aground!!. Everyone got off safely, but it was not possible(probablynot worth!!) salvaging her, and so she has been there ever since. A few holes are noticeable on her hull and superstructure. It seems that the Chilean navy use her for target practice, if they are passing by.
At one point, it was necessary to leave the fjords for a while. Whilst outside, on the Pacific ocean, a small pod of whales went by, about six of them. All in all, a magical day
Today is no different. We are at anchor outside a place called Puerto Chacabuco. It is a nowhere place, consisiting of jetties and wharves. The jetties are used by container ships, outloading the principal output of the area, fruit and vegetables. The main town is about 15kms, called Puerto Aysen. It was a port, on the river, until the river silted up.
We took the local public service bus, which was a bit of an experience in itself. The town is mostly single story buildings, and has that 'frontier town' look. Built on the grid system, the main street is one way, and everything goes down it. Every where we went, we felt alittle like being in Gullivers travels, as the locals are not the tallest people in the world.
There is not a lot in the town, except a most unususal church. It is very modern and angular, and finished in 1990, if we read the sign correctly. Up to the first story is concrete. Everything there after is a latticework of timber, covered in what appears to be plywood. The roof is tiled. It is very difficult to describe, though fascinating to visit. Hopefully, after our return, and we can post photographs, it will appear.
It did seem strange to be walking around in shorts and short sleeeves, when all the hills around were covered in snow. Apparently, we have a hit a temperature bounce, and tomorrow is forecast as 12C, and rain, as against todays 24C!!
Black Watch is at anchor in a corner of the fjord, and we have been using the tenders to get to and fro. From the shore, there is a super picture of her against the backdrop of snow capped hills. We are due to sail at 5pm our time(8pm UK time), so will get more splendid vistas for some hours yet.