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I have just spent the last day on a boat that left puerto natales on the 10th. The boat is called the navimag, and it is a converted 1972 cargo vessel. There was 115 passengers waiting for the embarkment at natales. We were led from the terminal on foot onto the boat at 21.00, we walked onto the cargo deck and onto a lift which took us upto the next deck. From there we were shown to our cabins, i was staying in a 4 bed dorm room which cost around 160 pound. The room wqas very small with two bunk beds, a small basin and lockers behind the door. After unloading my bags nto the lockers i explored the rest of the boat. There were Three outside decks that gave great viewing points and one also had a giant chessboard painted on. Inside there was a small seating area with a pull down screen for showing films. Attatched to this was the dinning area which could seat nly about 70 . Well that was the whole boat. We were on board for about an hour when we received a welcome meeting, which informed us that our departure time should be around 06.00 the next day. This was ok as i new this already from when i booked the trip. We was then told some news that was a little concerning, and that was that there was at this moment in time no hot water and no heating! GREAT. We was told that they were trying to fix the prblem through the night whilst loading the cargo onboard. Well there was no point in stressing about it so most people just got on with it and decided the best way to keep warm that night would be to put on their beer coats. So the dinning area filled up that night with all the passengers drinking beer and wine, It was in the end a good night and a great ice breaker. There was travellers from all over the world and of all ages but they all mixed together so well. That night ended around 03.00, and i was up at 08.00 and noticed that the boat had still not moved from its dock. I went down stairs for breakfast whick was very good. After this we were given an update on the situation with the hot water, And that it was still not fixed at that point, but also we may have to unload again. We this was not the case in the end as they fixed it around 11.00. The only problem was that we had now missed the tide so had to wait for the next high at around 18.00. So the cards and board games were broken out for the wait until then. When we did start to move that evening we traveld slowly through the fjords, which towered above us on each side. This view was the same the next day only the cliffs were much higher and were capped with snow. We had to travel through a very narrow passage called the ANGOSTURA INGLESA, which felt like we were just feet from grazing the shoreline. There was seals jumpng around behind the ship giving us clear photos. We could see hundreds of waterfalls coming from the glacier fields high above. At this point i felt that the money was well spent for this boat trip. But beyond the scenery, this trip was great for meeting new people and exchanging reports on the locations that we have been too and gaining information ones that we are going to visit. But the next day the dnning room was empty but for a few of us. This was because we had broken out of the shelter of the fjords and was now in the open channel. I was amazed at how many people there are that suffer from sea sickness. With this said there were a few of us that made it to dinner of which there was plenty of and plenty for seconds and thirds if you wanted it. I was told that on the journey before mine that there was only 6 peple eting dinner due to the weather. On this trip however it was not so bad and in my view it was not even rough, but i just think most people did not want to chance it and styed in their cabines.
Well we arrived at puerto montt on the 14th, and i have to say that the journey was worth every penny. I met so many people from all walks of life, see so many amazing sites and even won some games of chess.
The down side to this trip was that as it was off season they pack the boat with cattle which does start to smell after a day or two. But i would not let this put anyone off from this journey and it beats traveling back up the route 40 hand down.
From puerto montt i will be taking a 17 hour bus trip up to the smog of Santiago.
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