It’s three days from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas, mostly by sailing via the Chilean Archipelago and fjords. We sailed down the Sarmiento Channel into the Smyth Channel. Unfortunately, most of the last few days have been rain and mist, so no amazing pictures – just misty islands and stuff. I’m not worried, after Punta Arenas we pass the glaciers.

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I’ve done more cooking. I don’t know how exciting it is to read, but it sure fills the seadays. Here is a lamb stew with potato dumplings/pancakes (with bacon cooked in).

Today was a Valdiviano stew that originally used dried meat – the story is the Spanish army had their supplies cut off. The ship didn’t have any, so we used sirloin, the kind you make filet mignon from. Milk-soaked bread thickens the stew. The orange cubes are pumpkin. Our Chilean pilot said it’s the best he’s ever had. It’s my favorite meal so far.

We added a smoked pepper spice called “Merken” to mashed potatoes – it really added something.

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The ship’s internet has been getting worse. Today it is 200 KBps down and up, which is about 10% what it was at the beginning. I wonder if has to do with how far south we are now (53deg south)? Assuming a geo-stationary communication satellite, we are sending signal thru a lot more atmosphere and weather compared to when we were on the equator.