Punta Arenas, the most southern town in Chile, was our next stop. Temperatures sure dropped here, especially at 530 am, which was our meeting time for the zodiac boat ride through the Magellan Strait to see the amazing nature and animals – and hope for good weather as it is known for a crazy one! Gloves, winter hats and feather skiing jackets were on display here – and boy were we glad we brought those. The 3 people in the car were not other tourists but our guides – yeah, almost 1:1 ratio which was amazing.

We drove to a farm with llamas, guanacos, sheep and horses by the water and some of the guides disappeared while Crisellen, the main guide, handed us rubber pants with suspenders, jackets, gloves, hats – we looked unrecognizable and walked like bears with all of our own clothing already pretty heavy – this was getting interesting. The, to our surprise, an amazing breakfast was served – I mean literally at 6 am – again – nowhere, at literal and figurative end of the world – they whipped up warm breakfast in the barn AND coffee. They baked fresh bread and eggs!

We get on the zodiac and the thing flies, I mean I am holding for dear life – with gloves that are so huge (for a reason so you can hold on and don’t cut your hands or freeze them) but the touch is gone. For the first 10 minutes, I am 100% focused on staying on the boat, squeezing the rope and parking my feet so I don’t join the famous wild life. I start feeling the tension quickly – my back is tight, my legs and my arms are working to keep me inside. The jumping over the waves does not help my balance – go figure. I am hoping for some animal sighting quickly so we slow down. After 45 mins we get it – and it is amazing.

The dolphins were literally with us for at least half an hour, they swam with us, did a little show, jumped for us – completely alone – just us and them. We were giggling like little girls as these animals completely adopted us.

Even the crew and the driver were stunned – they said we were the luckiest gals out there, this is unusual and they must love the Czech smell – well, we took it as a compliment. This was definitely once in a lifetime experience.

Wait – there was another stop at the infamous farm with llamas and lunch with wine – I mean, seriously – we were euphoric from all this and now chacuterie with wine? This trip got 150%, stunning, challenging but incredible. (credit to Agua Fresca in Punta Arenas) and shoutout to Crisellen, our guide.