UWC Day 041 – Cruising Day – Surprise Visit to Alberto de Agostini National Park

Was supposed to go to a penguin reserve bright and early in the morning in Punta Arenas, Chile, but heard the announcement tone come on right as I was getting ready to get out of bed, and promptly went back to sleep.

Turns out that it was so windy, we didn’t even get close before the port authorities shut everything down and told all the ships in port to leave. Probably a good thing anyway as it did get a little choppy even where we were.

With the extra time, the Captain and crew decided that we’d go do a detour and get to see one of the glaciers nearby in a cove, so we got to do a surprise detour into one of the Chilean Fjords and their national parks (Alberto de Agostini).

Overall, an awesome day, and really enjoyed cruising through the fjords. The pictures and video don’t do it justice (as it normally doesn’t) and just the massive scale of the mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. Reminded a bit of Iceland and Glacier NP as we cruised along and the mountains seemed to almost weep with water.

Alberto de Agostini National Park

As we went into the one way arm of the park, we got some amazing panoramic views in all directions. Lots of waterfalls everywhere as well. Just spectacular, and really thought of Jurassic Park as we went by (may have even hummed a few tunes :D).

Humans

Debated whether or not to post, but this is the fourth time this has happened, and I’m steaming, so whatever.

There’s one specific group that has joined us that are a group of mainland chinese tourists (I assume — assumption because they’re wearing CCP paraphernalia). I only call that out as well, because the only really bad interactions I have had while traveling all these years has traditionally been with tourists from the mainland. I will fully admit my bias here up front to start.

Well, we have a huge ship, and a very large space where we’re taking photos of a very large glacier. They keep running across the ship (where we’re not supposed to run anyway) and pushing their way in front of people and trying to take up spots.

Now, normally, I don’t care, roll my eyes and just move somewhere else. Keep in mind, that I don’t even go to the more crowded areas, like the helipad and deck 12 on the walking track. The area we were in had SO much space around us to navigate, but this one group has now physically pushed me multiple times, and today, I was literally in an open area with 15 feet of space in all directions and one of them just HAD to go next to me and pushed me out of the way to take a picture of a gigantic glacier that you could literally shoot from any of the spots — it was NOT crowded at all. I glared at them and ALMOST said something to them. I’m so very close to getting into a fight with them. Not the first time, and if it happens again, I probably will say something to them….it’s one thing if its accidental, another if its on purpose, and also if its on accident, freaking say sorry or excuse me, etc.

I’m furious. I normally try not to let anyone bother me when I’m enjoying myself in nature, but this is obscenely obnoxious. I’ve chatted with several groups of people on the cruise, and we all have observed and had similar interactions with this one particular group.

Food

Grabbed some food late, some dumplings, spring roll and the special (ribeye). It was delicious as usual.

Entertainment

As I was heading to the pub after dinner to squat and do some photo editing, I found that there was a sign for JURASSIC PARK. I was literally just thinking about how remote it was out there with the waterfalls and greenery everywhere and here it’s playing on the pool deck, so of COURSE I had to go watch it.

I have really fond memories of watching Jurassic Park in college with friends late at night and just loving the sound track, and thinking about what we’d do in a raptor attack. Good times, but it was awesome to watch in the open air, and just an awesome movie and soundtrack.

Some of my favorite scenes below including one of my all time favorite line readings / delivery.

God creates dinosaurs.

God destroys dinosaurs.

God creates man.

Man destroys god.

Man creates dinosaurs.

….

Dinosaurs eat man.

Woman inherits the earth.

Jurassic Park – Ian Malcom and Ellie Sattler

Honestly, the look on Alan Grants face on the triceratops has been the look on my face this entire trip when seeing wildlife everywhere.

Vibe Check

2 parts joy – lovely views and jurassic park is the best

3 part anger – humans are the WORST. literally.

Feedback

Leave a comment or question if you have any thoughts! Anything you want to know about as we go around the world? Any things you want to share as feedback, or any images that particularly spoke to you. I’ll try to read all of them as time permits!