Penguins!

You know you are getting farther south when you start seeing penguins. In this case they are Humboldt penguins. The Cofradia Nautica del Pacific where we are staying on Windarra is formed by a large rock island and connecting breakwaters. It provides protection from winds in all directions but can be a little odiferous when the winds are from the north, where the nesting area is. It is a bird sanctuary for pelicans, cormorants, seagulls and penguins.

The large rock island has small natural caves which are perfect places for nests. It is like a giant condominium. The penguins on this ledge are about 50-60 feet high and they waddle their way up.

 

Two days ago, a brand new XP55 arrived via a truck and has been docked next to us. They are in the process of commissioning it here. The club here also has several Transpac 52s in their fleet. We understand there is a series of races starting January 23 in Puerto Montt, similar to the VanIsle 360, where they race from place to place and complete a circuit over a week. If I find out more information, I will let you know.

 

Several of the members of the club here have stopped by and provided some great information about places south including the canals. Everyone has been very welcoming. We did not know that Chile had such a sailing community and are very impressed.

 

It looks like we will have a weather window starting on Thursday morning so we are preparing to depart. We have filled our tanks and jerry cans at the fuel dock. Rich has changed the oil and filters on the engine. Today we pick up laundry, do a little last minute provisioning, put on water, and pay our bill so we can depart early tomorrow morning. We are looking forward to seeing Valdavia.