Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me on a new tour towards Santiago. Leaving Ushuaia before sunrise, we cross a gap in Martial Range before following the east coast of Tierra del Fuego. We turn westward and cross the border into Chile, before visiting a king penguin colony along the shores of the Strait of Magellan. From there we head north and cross the strait to the South American mainland and settle at a camping ground just short of Punta Arenas along the shore of the Strait of Magellan.
Today's Journey
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Leaving Ushuaia whilst still dark, we cross the Martial Range over a low pass overlooking a lake in time for sunrise. |
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Once over the pass, the terrain dramatically changes to rustic subalpine prairie. |
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Crossing between Argentina and Chile. We passed through Argentina immigration about ten kilometres back along the road beside the distant hill and we are just about to go through the more rigourous Chilean immigration. The road is blocked due to some road works going on ahead diverting our route around a detour. |
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Once in Chile we continue travelling for a couple of hours until reaching a king penguin colony and our first glimpse of the Strait of Magellan running across the top of the island. This is the only king penguin colony on South America. |
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About two hours after leaving the penguin colony we reach the narrowest point of the Strait of Magellan where we catch this ferry to mainland South America now clearly visible in the distance. |
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Crossing the dark murky waters of the Strait of Magellan, named after the captain who discovered this calm route from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans without having to risk rounding Cape Horn. |
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Once on the other side (on mainland South America, we follow the coast towards Punta Arenas, Chile's southernmost city. |
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The strait widens as we follow the coast. Tierra del Fuego is only just visible now in the distance. Strong wind ruffles the water. |
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Setting up camp on the shores of a small inlet at the edge of the Strait of Magellan about 30 kilometres short of Punta Arenas. The cold wind blows strong but the tents stand sturdy. |
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Having dinner as the dark sun sets dramatically after a long day on the road. This is the truck taking our group all the way from Ushuaia to Santiago. |
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