Cruising the Chilean Fjords (Part III). Punto Arenas and the Strait of Magellan.
Today we arrive in Punta Arenas, a city near the tip of Chile's southernmost Patagonia region. Located on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it's often used as base for excursions to the surrounding wilderness and Antarctica. The Plaza Muñoz Gamero has a memorial to explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Most importantly for the day, we’re on a pilgrimage to see the Magellanic Penguin which means some intense adventuring. This will require getting from the ship to Punta Arenas via lifeboats in high seas. Then bussing to the northern tip closer to the island where the penguin colony lives. Then another small boat through challenging seas to Monumento Natural Los Pinguinos Island. ‘Challenging’ as in they welcome every person with their own person barf bag if you choose to get onto the boat.
Unfortunately for me, I cannot travel this morning. But Trina can, and she will make the trek for us.
Boarding the lifeboat in high seas at the Oosterdam.
If you made it to this sign, you had officially crossed the Magellan Strait. We made it!
The Magellanic Penguin:
I’ll get in trouble for this. But, for you baseball fans, their running style kinda reminds me of the 7th inning stretch racing of the Klement’s Sausages at Miller Park.
A penguin baby shedding their fur.
Photo/Video of the Day:
The dance.
Today’s Moment of Zen:
Fun’s over. And now, the return ride home. At least the part acceptable to show. Your choice if you want to end on ‘Zen’ for this day.
Plaza Muñoz Gamero. Before leaving Punta Arenas, we made a stop at the square of the town where there were two honorary monuments. The first of which is below, with mom and dad approaching, the tribute to Magellan.
Finally, the infamous honorary ‘Y’ tree in honor of ‘Ylitalo’ crossing the Magellan Strait.
Considering it’s history, and albeit I was here but a few hours, I found this city quite charming but thought it interesting that because of its distance from Santiago, the history of Punta Arenas resembles something out of the wild west. For a long time no one knew if this city belonged to Chile or Argentina. Eventually, Chile took control, and turned it into a convict town, sending all their worse prisoners here from 1848 forward.
Nothing like ending the day on a high culinary note though. A few images of tonights treats from the Pinnacle Grill… Scallops, Pork Chop, Chocolate Souffle, and Creme Brulee.
Tomorrow. A very busy day. First, very early AM we navigate Glacier Alley while coming into the final, most southern port on earth, Ushuaia, Argentina… where we will trek to the National Park and make our way to the southernmost post office on earth to mail postcards to family.