Christmas treat

Our Christmas treat was a last minute decision to go on a humpback whale watching tour for three days in the Strait of Magellan.

We arrived into town on Christmas Eve, which proved to be slightly problematic when it came to getting dinner – nothing was open!  Eventually we found a restaurant with a set menu which, while expensive, was well worth it. Especially the chef miming what a hare was to an American family . . .

Well and truly full after 5 courses and drinks we walked back to our hostel at midnight.  South America, especially Chile and Argentina, go to bed late.  At our hostel there was quite a bit going on, so sleep was very late in coming, then we were woken at 4.30am by some drunken cooking, then at 7am by breakfast preparations.  Needless to say we were somewhat tired by the time we joined the tour that evening!

We met Marcelo, our guide, a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable Chilean, and the others in the group; George & Christa, Mario & Verena, all from Germany, and Susan and Kim from Idaho.  We all seemed to get on well and had a great  time watching someone trying to parallel park.  A short transfer by car took us to a tiny fishing village to meet the Whalesound boat.  The weather forecast was excellent with only light winds – Marcelo said that there are only 15 days like that every year!

The fishing boats looked very peaceful on Christmas Eve

Two hours later we arrived at San Isidro Lighthouse.  The original lighthouse had been abandoned and fallen into ruins, but a group had restored the lighthouse and built a luxury lodge next to it. It is the most southerly place to stay on the continent.  It was a wonderful sight to arrive to; the lodge lights glowing, the lighthouse behind it.

Beautiful evening, the clouds catching  the last light of the sun

Where does the boardwalk go? . . . 

. . . Round the the continent's southern most hot tub and sauna!

Cold but loving it!

San Isidro lighthouse

Making the most of available light

By the time Marcelo had talked to us about the history it was dark outside

The perfect place for Christmas dinner!

Kim, Susan, Ben and I enjoyed a salt water hot tub under the stars  after dinner – divine experience watching the Southern Cross.  It did mean that we  went to bed about 2am, but you can always sleep later . . .