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The harbour clock, weather vane and compass…in the morning
We have pretty unlucky for the first few days (and nights) of this adventure, with strong gale force winds and high waves. Our cabin is at the stern of the boat and we have felt every single rise and fall of these waves; we have to make sure that everything is properly closed down and stowed, or you wake to find it rolling around in the middle of the night!
We had planned to cross the Magellan Strait to see some penguins today, but the winds mean that it’s too dangerous to cross to the island in a small boat, so it’s no penguins for us. We had to make ad-hoc arrangements and go ‘off piste’ with our sightseeing, which is always a gamble.
After the obligatory mooch to the town square to see the statue, Sarah Braun house and small cathedral, we took a cab to the Naval museum which had replicas of the HMS Beagle (the ship that Darwin sailed on) as well as the that Magellan sailed on when he discovered this stretch of water, as well as the artic discovery ship, that Shackleton used- ‘Ancud’. It was shocking to see how small the ships were.
On from the Naval museum, we headed to the local cemetery, which has apparently been voted in the top 3 ‘World’s Prettiest Graveyards’ - who knew that was a thing? Each street of graves was interspersed with tall, well trimmed connifers, which gave you shelter from the driving winds. Most of the graves/ Mausoleums are above ground and have glass doors to them, it’s pretty disconcerting to see the coffins arranged on shelves inside them.
By the time, we left the cemetery, the sun was beaming down and we couldn’t believe that it was too rough to get across the strait, however still no ferries so we traveled up to the city’s look out and took some pics of the bay, boat and strait. It’s a nice enough town, but not one you would stay in unless you were transiting and either getting on/ off a Cape Horn boat.
This was our last stop in Chile and I don’t want to end on a downer, we have had a great time, seeing some amazing places, drinking and eating some beautiful wine, beer and food and meeting friendly/ helpful people who are justly proud of their country.
Chile, you have been great.
BTW- the tender back to our ship was pretty bouncy- maybe they were right about it being too rough to sail to Magdalena Island to see the Magellan penguins.
We had planned to cross the Magellan Strait to see some penguins today, but the winds mean that it’s too dangerous to cross to the island in a small boat, so it’s no penguins for us. We had to make ad-hoc arrangements and go ‘off piste’ with our sightseeing, which is always a gamble.
After the obligatory mooch to the town square to see the statue, Sarah Braun house and small cathedral, we took a cab to the Naval museum which had replicas of the HMS Beagle (the ship that Darwin sailed on) as well as the that Magellan sailed on when he discovered this stretch of water, as well as the artic discovery ship, that Shackleton used- ‘Ancud’. It was shocking to see how small the ships were.
On from the Naval museum, we headed to the local cemetery, which has apparently been voted in the top 3 ‘World’s Prettiest Graveyards’ - who knew that was a thing? Each street of graves was interspersed with tall, well trimmed connifers, which gave you shelter from the driving winds. Most of the graves/ Mausoleums are above ground and have glass doors to them, it’s pretty disconcerting to see the coffins arranged on shelves inside them.
By the time, we left the cemetery, the sun was beaming down and we couldn’t believe that it was too rough to get across the strait, however still no ferries so we traveled up to the city’s look out and took some pics of the bay, boat and strait. It’s a nice enough town, but not one you would stay in unless you were transiting and either getting on/ off a Cape Horn boat.
This was our last stop in Chile and I don’t want to end on a downer, we have had a great time, seeing some amazing places, drinking and eating some beautiful wine, beer and food and meeting friendly/ helpful people who are justly proud of their country.
Chile, you have been great.
BTW- the tender back to our ship was pretty bouncy- maybe they were right about it being too rough to sail to Magdalena Island to see the Magellan penguins.
Typical Punta Arenas houses
Up to the main square
Sarah Braun’s house, sadly sold to a hotel and all the interior has been ripped out and is modern now
South, south we go!
The historic Naval Dockyard
We’re just here actually
Struggled to get the whole boat in- but it was still tiny!,
Can’t believe these ships navigated round Cape Horn
Arty shot looking towards the Straits of Magellan
M try to stretch to the straiit
We’re wet but happy
Just in case we are lost…
Another boat/ ship
I loves a good heart shape!
Medium sized birds waiting for fish
That’ll be me
The municipal cemetery - in memorial of Sarah Braun
Nice mausoleum
Lots of lovely conifers gave shelter in the cemetery
View through one of the glass doors- this was the ‘norm’
Lovely view across the green to the firefighters mausoleum
The day was brightening up and we were at the lookout
Rather run down mosaic
Arty shot from the lookout
Or is this the arty shot??
Same clock as the morning- beautiful sky now!
Bill Gates’ yacht was following us
No stretching your legs on deck today!
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