Magellan Strait (Drive day 237: Feb 21st, 2004)
At last we reach the body of water separating most of Argentina from the Southern tip. We will cross on a ferry far more substantial than the last one we subjected ourselves too in Bolivia.
It’s calm and serene today, but the artic wind has been known to whip the water into a frenzy called a Williwaw. The passage was feared even before Magellan’s famous voyage in 1520 and Darwin’s passage through it on the Beagle – navigators detested its stiff westerlies and viscous currents. But over time its reputation has diminished to the point where some fools even swim across. I’ll just look over the rails and stay dry, thanks anyway.
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