Sunday February 15, 2015 - Punta Arenas, Chile

Sunday February 15, 2015 – Punta Arenas, Chile

Today is our last stop in Chile at Punta Arenas.  There is a debate as to which city is the furthest south on earth - Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina.  We believe that without a doubt it is Ushuaia.  We were supposed to arrive at 5 am but it was after 6 when they dropped the anchor.  We had our breakfast and then took a tender into Punta Arenas since we didn’t have a tour scheduled today.

I had gone to reception and talked to the “local host” and gotten a map.  He pointed out highlights to see in Punta Arenas so we walked to those sites.  We took a hike up the hill to a pretty observation point that looked out over the city and harbor.  We went through the town square and bought a Christmas ornament and postcards.  Some interesting colorful architecture but nothing really stunning.  The local host had given me the names of a couple of restaurants but it was early still so we just headed back to the ship for lunch in the dining room.  It was really quiet as a lot of people were off on tours or in the city.

It's good luck to rub the foot on the statue of Magellan in the square of Punta Arenas, Chile

View of Punta Arenas, Chile and the harbor from the hill above the city

Oceania Regatta at anchor in the harbor of Punta Arenas, Chile

A nautical mural on a building in Punta Arenas, Chile

A deserted wharf now occupied by sea birds

The birds sunning on the deserted wharf

Panorama of the waterfront in Punta Arenas, Chile

Old clock on the wharf in Punta Arenas, Chile

Sailing away from Punta Arenas, Chile

 

We had a relaxing afternoon.  The ship finally pulled up the anchor about 6 and we were off to Argentina.  Apparently we are not going to go by Cape Horn but rather taking an inland route through the fjords to Ushuaia.  Pretty scenery.  We had drinks in the bar with Putu and then went to Toscana for our Italian dinner.  We had a sharing table with 2 other couples – Terry and Barbara from Minnesota and a mother and daughter from Toronto (formerly from Estonia).  We had a great time.  The mother and daughter left a little before 9:30 to see the show with the cruise director, Ray Michaels, but we stayed and talked with Terry and Barbara until after 10.  We stopped by the show but it wasn’t our cup of tea so we went back to the cabin.