Thursday, February 27, 2020 – Puerto Montt, Chile
We arrived early and dropped anchor, in the bay at this interesting and new to both of us, port. We had a full day booked on a regular tour to Petohue (water) Falls and German Town. Bus 11 and ready to go. However, it being a tender port, it was a wait before we were allowed off the ship.
Eventually the Captain spoke and gave us the bad news that as the waves, currents and in general the weather, it would be too dangerous to go ashore, so all was cancelled and we would be reimbursed our expenses, but we needed to sail on to the next port, San Antonio (for Santiago). Various life boats / tenders were in the water and were recovered and soon we were off, out of the bay, back into the fjord and back out to the Pacific to continue our voyage North.
The people at the next table at dinner each night had bid their farewell as they were getting off here and continuing their journey home. They did not make it off. It is reminiscent of our cabin Neighbours arriving in one of the prior ports after the gang planks had been lifted and they were left onshore, having to make their way to the next port on their own.
So a new schedule of events was printed and we enjoyed a very interesting lecture by the Ex-Governor of the Bank of England talking about the Global economy. Following the talk we were able to meet and chat with him. I asked about Central Banks control over derivative transactions, and all he could say, being an excellent politically correct speaker was that they are on the decline.
A pub lunch followed by the ever eloquent and amusing, energetic Jeff Clarke speaking on why birds flock. I found interesting the discussion about the million birds we had seen earlier and the fact that they remained at sea, floating on the ocean until dusk when they would return to their on shore homes, as they were poor in their feet and made them vulnerable to their predators. Thus they minimized exposure to the danger. Also by being in large flicks, they were a danger to and other bird attempting to “pick one of them up for dinner”!!!!
The High Tones music group playing songs from the 1960’s was very good but as their drummer had fallen ill, he was replaced at the last minute by the drummer of one of the ship’s bands. He did an amazing job, basically flawless, despite only a one hour rehearsal! The show must go on!!!
Roger & Anne Travels 