Valparaiso, Chile

On January 31st we arrived at port in Valparaiso and disembarked the ship for the last time.  We took a day tour with transport to the airport in Santiago.  We especially enjoyed the Fonck Archeology Museum and their collection of Easter Island artifacts.  In the Casablanca Valley we visited Puro Caballo with a demonstration of Chilean horsemanship.  Our overnight flight was uneventful and the most dangerous part of the trip was probably the ride home from DIA in a snowstorm.We were pleasantly surprised to have an Antarctica Expedition team aboard the ship.  On sea days, these folks gave PowerPoint presentations where we learned about the research, wildlife, history, and more.  Expedition member Cory led the birding each morning at sea, with a Royal Albatross sighting on our last sea day.  We made many new friends and enjoyed every moment of the journey.