Magellanes, Tierra del Fuego: 18. – 21.03.2010

Our first border crossing in South America was ahead of us. We were a bit nervous about what to expect? Circumstances like in Central America or would it be a bit more relaxed? Besides that there are limitations about the import of meat, fruit, vegetable, milk …, mainly everything fresh was not supposed to be brought into Chile. We almost made it to eliminate everything from our supplies, but only almost. Would they find our hiding places?

Nope, they did not and also the border formalities where real simple. Our immigration stamps where put on while having a comfortable chat with the officials. If they would have offered us some Mate-Tea we would not have been surprised and the search for ‘illegal’ food was only very superficial.

We first wanted to visit a colony of Magellan Penguins close to Punta Arenas. Unfortunately we have been a few hours early, or late, depends on how you look at it. In the morning they leave the colony for the ocean for look for food only to return by late afternoon. But since we had time, we did the same and had a Coffee and Cookies in Elise II, before we went to greet the early home comers. It was a treat to see the chicks waiting for their parents and as they arrive how they greet themselves, and their clumsy behavior on land compared to the agility they present as they are in water.

The other day belonged to the Pali Aike National Park. This Volcanic Prairie is covered with craters and caves, lava stone shimmering in red, green, yellow or pure black. First we had a closer look to the Cave Pali Aike. There where artifacts from the Paleo Indians excavated in 1930. But that was to be our only excursion, once more wind was blowing real hard and we had to hold on at the crater rim not to mutate to birds.

The same day we took the ferry across the Magellan Strait to spend our first night on Fireland, before we crossed the border to Argentina again.

Till soon.

Sonja and Markus

Here it goes to the Pictures...