I’m penning this on my bunk aboard the Esperanza (“Hope”), the flagship of the Navimag ferry firm at the moment about to depart Puerto Montt for Puerto Natales, 4 days journey south of right here.
Rusty the trooper managed the tough stair gratings out of the automotive deck and settled instantly on his mattress.
Supposedly the ship leaves at 7 and as soon as we lose the cell sign we shall be out of contact till someday on Thursday night. Between from time to time we shall be navigating the fjords and a few open ocean by southern Chile.
We drove as much as the ferry after they weighed and measured the van. We spent a few hours on the verify in ready whereas the vans and trailers had been loaded first into the bowels of the ship.
Rusty had no thought this was his final roll within the grass for 4 days however he took full benefit of it having fun with the solar.
They weighed us at 9325 kilos shut sufficient to the manufacturing facility absolutely laden weight of 9400 kilos. The price for the van is $500.
After they gave us the go forward we drove all the way down to the ship from the weighing space the place they advised us to show round. The van in entrance of us was dropping off foot passengers and after he received outbid the best way I reversed into the darkness.
They nudged us over to the aspect and earlier than we received out we had been getting strapped into place. This journey could also be fairly calm or fairly fierce and there’s no approach of realizing the way it will go.
Our batteries are absolutely charged and we solely have a couple of bottled gadgets within the fridge so we’ll see how properly they final in 4 days of darkness. We aren’t allowed on the automotive deck through the journey.
We noticed no different overland automobiles on the dock or within the ship in all probability as a result of this isn’t an inexpensive journey and most of the people take the scenic land route south of Puerto Montt. We plan to verify a few of it out in the summertime on our approach north. The enchantment of the ferry was simply an excessive amount of.
Rusty didn’t just like the steps however he received up them unassisted.
Then we sat by the tail finish of a security briefing. Put on a life jacket. Ask the crew for recommendation. Drown like a gentleman. Truly a couple of months in the past the ferry ran aground on the tip of an island and made the information because it waited for the tide. These are treacherous waters.
The opposite vacationers shuffle round and don’t make eye contact. We smile and say hello! simply to confound them. That is our 4 berth cabin.
With studying gentle and (220 volt) plug:
That is our personal rest room and bathe:
To deliver Rusty within the cabin and never have him journey caged as cargo we needed to lease a complete cabin. We wished a room with a window which works for about $650 a berth. There are 4 berths in an AA cabin so we’re paying $2500 for our journey. Meals are included you’ll be completely satisfied to listen to. With GANNET2 the overall is about $3000. We folded the upstairs bunks to have somewhat extra headroom.
The most cost effective berths are about $550 and there are eight of them in a cabin with no home windows. There may be additionally one suite however we missed the reservation or we’d have taken that. There aren’t any balconies. No alcohol is allowed on the ship and smoking is on exterior decks solely.
For simply the 2 of us and Rusty our cabin may be very nice, the bunks are snug and we’re settled in for a stress free journey 1200 miles to Puerto Natales. If we do get anybody sign on the best way I shall attempt to make the most of it however I count on to submit one thing by Friday. We now have a campground reserved within the city after we arrive to offer us time to inventory the fridge and prepare to see some penguins on our strategy to Punta Arenas.
They’re asserting dinner service.
I ought to in all probability get going. See you quickly.
