Passage of the Condor 2012 – Field Staff Blog

January 22^nd 2012. At sea to Valdivia

Around 0900h there was a call from the bridge that Blue Whales had been spotted. MS Island Sky immediately altered course to get some good views, because Blue Whales represent the largest animal which has ever existed on earth. We have to congratulate Captain Niklas Peterstam for his cooperation, because in the end we got quite close to them. They looked like a 30-m long submarine capped with a disproportionately small sickle-shaped fin. There were several whales in the area. They were probably feeding not far below the surface, since they blew frequently.

January 23^rd 2012-01-24 Isla Mocha

…Isla Mocha was our plan for today, a place that dosent gets to many visitors! The locals were there to welcome us and after a quick orientation we started to explore the island, with les than 600 people this place great to see the real life f the islanders and to enjoy the nature too.

After passing some small settlements we arrived to a beautiful forest known as “Reserva Nacional Isla Mocha”

After circumnavigating the Island this afternoon we put the zodiacs in the water and went for a cruise on the northern side to visit a colony of South American Sea Lions that were very playful and gave us great views. Isla Mocha National Reserve South American Sea Lions.

January 25 th 2012 Valparaiso, Chile

…..Main port for the Country of Chile Valparaiso is located next toViña del Marand La Reñaca – together with allot of history and beautiful beaches. Today we had the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating region.

A visit to the famous funicular station was included. We learned that they are national heritage!

In the afternoon after a delicious lunch in town by the sea we visited Casa del Bosque Vineyard in the interior, with beautiful scenery and excellent wine this was a great way to finish our day…….

January 26^th, Coquimbo and Iquique Valley, Chile

After a scenic ride across the town of la Serena and Vicuña and some very dry valleys we arrive to the Capel Distillery for an interesting explanation about the process of making Pisco, here we learn the details of this delicious drink and about its origin and the historical dispute between Chileans and Peruvians on who invented the drink… during a tasting we get familiar with world famous “Pisco Sour” a must when you are in this part of the world.

January 27^th 2012, Pajaros and Chanaral Islands, Chile

…..A new destination for the Island Sky was ahead of us; .the Humboldt Penguin Reserve was waiting under a cloudy sky. With the zodiacs we went to explore this place to realise that the fauna here was spectacular.

First we visit a colony of Southern Sea Lions were we observe this great moment of nature, a female giving birth among many males. We continue searching and eventually we find the famous Humboldt Penguins with their young .They are the reason for the conservation of this area with about 20.000 individuals.

This is one of the main colonies and the most southern one……

29^th January 2012 Antofagasta, Chile

…..some of our friends left early in the morning for an overnight trip to San Pedro de Atacama, those of us that stay went on city tour in Antofagasta, famous for its rail roads and mining operations, Antofagasta is a place to learn about ist people and theire history. Here we visit the Antofagasta museum, the fish market and went for fantastic views of “La Portada” a rock formation with the shape of an arch…….

31st January 2012, Lauca National Park, Chile

……At the bottom of the Andes we start our day just before dawn, we two buses we begin our journey across the Atacama desert, the driest place on earth, with amazing views we fallow the zic-zac road that connects Chile with Bolivia, here we can see how skill the drivers area as they maneuver big truck in steep waning roads. Our reward is awaiting above14.000 feetabove see level in the spectacular Lauca National Park, hi in the Andes Mountain Range this ecosystem is home to a very unique flora and fauna, we enjoy wonderful views on Vicuñas, Flamingos, Andean Coots and off course a breathtaking panorama…….