The Cathedrals of Marmol

Some tourist destinations are so gimmicky that you wonder why you spent the money to go on such a tour. The “Marble Caves” near Puerto Rio Tranquilo had such a vibe. What could be gained from gawking at a rock?

But still, I plucked down the money for a kayak tour. And it was well worth the money— provided you had the right guide.

Puerto Rio Tranquilo is a very touristy town with tour vendors hustling for your business in what I term “Tour Vendor Row.” At least a dozen tour vendors were out hustling for your business.

They were offering tours to glaciers, tours around Lago General Carrera (the lake the town was on), rock climbing in the surrounding mountains, and so on. I was only interested in one: a rock formation called Los Capillas de Marmol– The Marble Chapels or The Marble Cathedrals. The kayak tour to Los Capillas and back was what I wanted.

Besides the guide, the group consisted of only two others and me. We kayaked out to Los Capillas de Marmol, the two main marble formations jutting out of the water a mild distance away.

I must credit the sensitivity of our guide, Mai. Without her, I would not have experienced the religious experience of being in an awesome cathedral. After she explained the science of the rock formations and how they came to be, she withdrew and left us alone to float silently by the outside walls and among the inside caverns. And that’s when the beauty of the rocks appeared.

I really did feel like I was in an immense cathedral, much like the architects of old who formed cathedrals so that one could feel the presence of spirituality by being within it. I sat silently immobile on the kayak, being in awe of the majestic forces that formed the structure.

With the guide silently withdrawing, we were left alone to soak in the glory of the structures. It was an awe-inspiring moment, being in the “Marble Cathedral.” If you believe in God, you can say God was there. In any case, I could feel the transcendence of space and time.

I know now why they’re called “Cathedrals.” Well worth the money I spent in Puerto Rio Tranquilo.