It starts here

Dec 28th: Morning tour of the Tierra del Fuego national park. Four hours is not enough time to gain any significant appreciation of this wonderful area. Small peaks of the Andes with beautiful lakes surrounded by sea and claimed to be the most southern NP in the world.

Afternoon we all met in town to start our embarkation. Only about 100 people so although chaotic we eventually all boarded, with treperdation, this Russian research vessel. It has been said that the word research is an euphanism for spying. Everyone seems full of anxiety of the unknown and the excitement of the adventure. We all spent the first few hours getting to know one another and being briefed on the voyage and exploring our home for the next 18 days. For some unknown reason we were upgraded to the best suite, not cabin, on the boat. We are the only ones with windows facing the bow. Our windows are just under the bridge so we have a great view. After the lifeboat drill it was pre dinner drinks and dinner. As the gale subsided to strong winds we set sail down the spectacular and wind swept Beagle channel on a course for the unknown and a voyage of discovery.

150 years ago Captain Robert Fitz Roy sailed his ship the BEAGLE around the world with the young Charles Darwin on board as the assistant surgeon. It is great to think of Darwin's book, The Beagle, that I read so many years ago.
As we sail we pass the Chilean town of Puerto Williams, you cannot help but think of the hardship on the Beagle 150 years ago. According to Chile this is the southern most town in the world, with Ushuaia being the southern most City. No doubt there is the southern most village somewhere.