Patagonia, Chile - Navimag "Cruise" Through Patagonia

"Travel in general, and vagabonding in particular, produces an awesome density of experience … a cramming together of incidents, impressions and life detail that is both stimulating and exhausting. So much new and different happens to you so frequently, just when you’re most sensitive to it. … You may be excited, bored, confused, desperate and amazed all in the same happy day."  - Ed Buryn

Navimag, Chile Slide Show

After spending a night in Puerto Montt, Chile, we took off on a 4 day, 3 night "cruise" on the Navimag to Puerto Natales, Chile. The word cruise is in quotes so that you don't get confused with cruise lines like The Royal Caribbean. The Navimag is a freighter that has been retrofitted to include some bunk rooms for passengers. On board, there are trucks along with their drivers, horses, cars, produce, and people.
Actually, the accommodations were fine, the food was okay and we met all kinds of interesting people on board. Included in the 106 passengers were people from Chile, Germany, Australia, Switzerland New Zealand, England, Holland, Spain, France, Israel, Ireland, and the United States. As with most of our travels, Jennifer, Noah and I were not the "normal" travelers. For the most part, the travelers are either retired vacationers or in their 20's traveling around the world. We have yet to come across another 40 something family home schooling their teenager around the world. Are we crazy?
The voyage was days of sailing in southern Chile's fjords, channels, and bays along the Pacific coast. If you take a look at a map of Chile, you will see that there are no roads, or people for that matter, in these parts. It is a sea (no pun intended) of water, mountains, and forests. Don't mention the Pacific Ocean part to Jennifer. The swells knocked our ship around pretty good, resulting in Jennifer depositing her dinner into the same ocean that caused her to do so. Take that, Pacific Ocean!
In the entire journey, we only came across civilization once in Puerto Eden, a small fishing port and the last outpost of the Qawashqar Indians. After freezing out on the deck for over an hour waiting for the dolphins that were supposedly going to be there, I retreated to our room. Dejected, I laid down on my bunk and started  reading a book, a rare opportunity to read on Jennifer's Kindle. Luckily, I looked out the window and saw dolphins swimming by. I scared Noah and Jennifer half to death as I jumped off my bunk yelling, "dolphins"!
The scenery along the way is beautiful, but the weather at this time of the year is quite cold. We would periodically go out on deck to take pictures and get some fresh air, but due to the weather, much of the time was spent indoors in our cabin or in the multi-purpose cafeteria/movie theatre/reading room/gathering place/bar.
The inclement weather and extra time on our hands allowed Noah to catch up on his studies. He had the opportunity to work on his Math, Science, Reading, Writing, and Spanish. He was quite pleased with this chance to get all caught up!
After traveling through this area of Chile, you can see why there are not a lot of people living down here. It is beautiful, but the weather and rough terrain should keep this area untouched and allow people to explore the wonders of Patagonia for years to come. That is a good thing! To see the Navimag slide show, click on the following link ==> Navimag, Chile Slide Show