Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

Friday (14-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 19: Detained as Political Prisoners in Puerto Natales.

Another day and nothing has changed much. The locals are still patrolling the town in cars with black flags (black garbage bags) or the local flag. The vehicles range from old pickup trucks to high-end sports cars. We checked out of the hotel at noon, but will probably check in again in a bit. The locals tell us that we are not hostages since we can walk through the picket line and then walk 20-30 km with our luggage to the Argentine border (but don’t go off the road because of the minefields). They have not been letting ambulances through. There is a doctor here to do two kidney transplants in Punta Arenas that cannot get to the hospital. News has made it to the BBC, but we don’t see much if any coverage in the US press. There are several hundred tourists stranded here in Puerto Natales, many more in Punta Arenas, and 4000-5000 stranded in Torres del Paine National Park. The protest is over the repeal of a fuel credit of ~$6/month for this region. All of the cars and trucks driving around for the last several days checking to see if each house has a black flag flying and making sure that we don’t try to sneak out have already burned through much more money. This is going to devastate the economy in the region once the word gets out and tourist stop coming. The US Embassy in Santiago did finally issue a press release today to a Chile travel site (and not on the US State Dept site) — but no guidance or help getting out of the country.

Black Flag Protesters Patrol the streets of Puerto Natales (David J Mathre)

Strikers on Patrol, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Strikers on Patrol, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec).

Strikers on Patrol in Sports Car, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre) — Strikers on Patrol in Sports Car, Driving Through Puerto Natales. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.3 mm, f/5, 1/500 sec).

Refuges Living Rough on the Street of Puerto Natales Cooking Lunch. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49.2 mm, f/4.9, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre) — Refuges Living Rough on the Street of Puerto Natales Cooking Lunch. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49.2 mm, f/4.9, 1/250 sec).

Hotel and Rainbow. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/5.4, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre) — Hotel and Rainbow. Snapshot taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 5.1 mm, f/5.4, 1/1000 sec).

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.

Thursday (13-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 18: Detained as Political Prisoners in Puerto Natales.

We are still sitting in a hotel in Puerto Natales. The roads continue to be blocked, and we have no idea when we will be able to get to the airport in Punta Arenas. In essence we are being held political prisoners since we are not able to leave this small town and this country. Does anyone remember “Missing”.

Update as of 3 PM local. We were looking at an option to return to Argentina and fly back from Calafate. A bus would bring us to the road block and we would have to walk across with our entire luggage. Another bus would pick us up on the other side. The protesters told the driver we could walk across the line, but they would then destroy the bus. So we are probably spending another night in Puerto Natales. The harbor was also closed due to the strike, so that also was not an option.

Update at 5 PM Local. We just checked back into the Hotel.

Fishing Boat in Pureto Natales Harbor. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (David J Mathre)

Hotel Australis in Pureto Natales overlooking the "Fjord of Last Hope." Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (David J Mathre) — Hotel Australis in Pureto Natales overlooking the “Fjord of Last Hope.” Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (David J Mathre)

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.

Wednesday (12-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 17: Travel from Torres del Paines National Park to Punta Arenas.

We had been hearing about a general strike in southern Chile. Today we found out it was real. Our bus took a back route out of the National Park to avoid a road block, since shutting down the park was one of the strikers objectives. This doesn’t make sense since tourism is a major source of income for the region. We ran into our first road block near a small airport. Several cars blocked the road, and the people ran around in the rain with their black flags (plastic garbage bags). After 15-20 minutes, the cars withdrew and raced down the road to presumable the next road block. The next road block at the intersection of the highway to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas was more significant. Trucks were used to block the road and a big pile of wood was being set up for a bon fire. The Guardia watched but didn’t do anything. A strike leader who appeared drunk came up to the bus and told us we couldn’t go through to either Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. He did have a solution for us – we could carry all of our gear and luggage through the strike line and catch a ride to the next town. As we walked through, the cars honked, people jeered, and wave their black flags. Once we were through the line, we realized that all of the local taxis were part of the strike, and no local busses would come to pick us up. It was going to be a several mile walk into Puerto Natales in the rain. I was having a really hard time with a residual cough and being run down from a respiratory infection earlier in the trip. Finally, a farmer with a pick-up stopped and took a couple of us and most of our luggage. I would not have made it without his help. During the walk into town, 125 vehicles passed us – many honking. This farmer was the only one that stopped to help. It was clear that there was no way we would be getting to the airport in Punta Arenas for our flights on Wednesday. I called AMEX and had tentative flight reservations made for the following two days. At this point it is not clear how much longer I will be stuck in Chile. This is a lousy way to end this photo workshop, and has really soured any interest in visiting Chile again. Rob is doing the best he can to find out when we can get to the airport. In the mean time, I should be able to catch up on some of my images.

Roadblock outside of Pureto Natales Chile. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (David J Mathre)

22-January-2011 edit: Check out Thom Hogan’s blog about being held hostage in southern Chile.

Tuesday (11-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 16: Hike and Equitrekking in Torres del Paine National Park.

The trip is coming to an end. Today we rode horses and hiked to Mirador Los Torres from the Las Torres Hotel. I actually didn’t make it to the end of the trail, and only made it as far as the last big climb to the glacial lake because I rode a horse. This cold/respiratory infection appears to be getting worse. Our guide, Robert Noonan took one of my Leica point and shoot cameras to get some images from the top. Unfortunately, the peaks were hidden in the clouds.

Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 Camera (ISO 80, 9.1 mm, f/3.9, 1/125 sec). (David J Mathre) — Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 Camera (ISO 80, 9.1 mm, f/3.9, 1/125 sec).

Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4.5, 1/80 sec.). (David J Mathre) — Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4.5, 1/80 sec.).

Woods in B&W. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec.). (David J Mathre) — Woods in B&W. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec.).

White Orchid. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4, 1/125 sec.). (David J Mathre) — White Orchid. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4, 1/125 sec.).

White Orchid. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 Camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/3.3, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre) — White Orchid. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 Camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/3.3, 1/50 sec).

Forest. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec.). (David J Mathre) — Forest. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec.).

Torres del Paine. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec.). (David J Mathre) — Torres del Paine. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec.).

Mirador Las Torres. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 Camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Image taken by Robert Noonan. (David J Mathre) — Mirador Las Torres. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 Camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Image taken by Robert Noonan.

Tree Root in B&W. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/20 sec.). (David J Mathre) — Tree Root in B&W. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/20 sec.).

Guide. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/2, 1/200 sec.). (David J Mathre) — Guide. Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/2, 1/200 sec.).

Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 Camera (ISO 125, 7.5 mm, f/3.2, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre) — Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 Camera (ISO 125, 7.5 mm, f/3.2, 1/400 sec).

Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 Camera (ISO 80, 7.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec). (David J Mathre) — Hike and Equitrekking from Hotel Las Torres to Mrador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 Camera (ISO 80, 7.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec).

Monday (10-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 15: Hosteria Lago Grey.

Early Morning Rainbow from Hosteria Lago Grey, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Composite of two images from a Nikon D3x and 24-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec) combined using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)