Tortel

 

Caleta Tortel is a coastal village in Chile. It is the administrative centre of the commune of Tortel and is located between the mouth of the Baker River the largest river in Chile and a small embayment of the Baker Channel.. It is roughly halfway between Puerto Natales and Puerto Montt .

Tortel is a commune located in Southern Patagonia, a spectacular wilderness region of rugged mountains, glaciers, rivers and forests of infinite beauty. The uneven geography of Tortel shapes a unique landscape, characterized by an archipelagic area with numerous islands and channels. Tortel is known as the “footbridge city” for the unique beauty of its wooden walkways that connect the piers and houses of this quaint place through bridges and stairs, built from cypress wood, that run for four and a half miles around the cove and that respect the rich vegetation that grows under them. Even though it is the sixth largest commune in Chile, it has the lowest population of all with roughly 531 people. The history of the town dates back to 1520 when it was inhabited by nomadic Kawesqar, now extinct. Its definitive foundation was in 1955, after numerous attempts to populate the area. In 2001, it was declared by the Chilean government as a Picturesque Zone of National Heritage.

 

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March 13th

Had an early breakfast and disembarked in zodiacs at 8 am for the short hop to Tortellini. There we had a 45 minute guided walk along the board walks with Jackie. Quite heavy drizzle all morning. We then continued by ourselves for another hour. It was a logging town of about 550 people. We were surprised to discover that it actually had a road to it- meeting a couple with a suitcase who were searching for the parking where they. Had left their car!!!.

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We were entertained in the Rotunda with accordion music, pisco sours, empanadas and 2 couples dancing..

 

After lunch and tea, where they forgot the Trivia!, we had a Chilean wine  presentation by Roger, who had no clue about wine but was Chilean!. By Recap and Briefing we were out of the fjords and in rough weather. I had taken a pill about 4 but still did not feel too good , so skipped dinner: David went but just had the main course. Thus a very early night

March 14th. At sea

  A very rough night but we managed to make breakfast, albeit without the coffee and there were few people there. Then spent the morning in the cabin, reading and watching David Baddiel along the Silk Road. By lunch time we were back into the fjords and eating in the restaurant was back to normal. A short stroll outside and then I caught up with the diary. At 3 there was a talk by Jackie on Chiloé and its legends.

 

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Then tea and Truvua before a talk by Captain Freddy on his 2019 and 2022 trips as Ice Captain  of the Agulhus to find the wreck of Snackletoń's Endurance- Recap and Briefing and dinner at 8.30, a chat with Pia and no coffee due to the screeching music in the bar. Disco night!!

 

on to Castro