Punta Arenas (which translates as Sandy Point) is the most southerly city on the mainland of South America, and “is the coldest coastal city with a population of more than 100,000.”
Today, I am rejoining the Cunard tourists on a “Patagonian Experience” shore excursion, accessed by tender. This will be fun! The forecast is for maximum temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius!
I don’t quite understand this. Ship’s time is 0723 hrs. My phone now tells me it’s 08.23, just 2 hours behind G.M.T. The cold wastes of the Chilean south coast beckons…it’s going to be chilly in Chile!
In fact, the transfer by tender has gone smoothly. But these “crossings” are not designed to be comfortable, or even warm. We are, now, safely on board our coach, all except for one passenger who has not yet shown up. Has he/she overslept, missed the tender transfer or decided to remain on board without telling anyone? One of the commendable things about Cunard excursions is that they do wait until the last possible moment, something that can irritate those who did make it on time. Our late passenger has just arrived and thus we are but a few minutes late away.
So far Punta Arenas is uninspiring; the weather reminiscent of a miserable February day in Buxton. However, adventure awaits, culminating in barbecued lamb at a rural ranch. The excitement of being in this part of the world had momentarily….kind of worn off just a little. A nice comfortable 09.45 hrs start was, by necessity, put back to 08.15 hrs which was less palatable. Nevertheless, I have been awake since just after 05.15 hrs, not daring or able to get back to sleep.
I would have liked some opportunity to explore the town of Punta Arenas. However, our coach set off, past numerous significant monuments, and eventually out of town. The countryside was not dissimilar to that which we travelled through from Puerto Madryn. There were no “llamas” to be seen this time, but numerous Rheas similar in profile to ostriches. After around an hour and fifty minutes, we arrived at “Olga Teresa,” a family ranch which opens its doors to increasing numbers of visitors. Three coaches had travelled in convoy from where the ship’s tender had dropped off its passengers from M.V. Queen Victoria. At the ranch, we were split into several groups, to view sheep shearing, a demonstration of sheep dogs at work, and a look inside a stable of around six horses. Barbecued lamb with salad, boiled potatoes, and a glass of wine ensued and rounded off that part of the trip very nicely.
I am back on board and will soon be enjoying a much needed coffee. It is 16.10 hrs right now; I have the rest of the day to do as I please. But, the “Patagonian Experience” was a most pleasurable shore excursion which I cannot see happening again (sadly). *Our captain warned us of very rough weather overnight. *(added24/2/20)
Once again, the weather, although cool and windy, behaved itself, with an abundance of bright periods, distant rainbows and some blue sky. I dozed off for much of the return journey enjoying glimpses of the countryside and seascapes in brief moments of consciousness. I had partaken of a thimbleful of white wine during lunch! But also, I had been awake since a non existent time on my watch…5-ish!
More later, David : 16 12 hrs 23rd February 2020.
This evening, it was announced that we would continue along the Magellan Straits past Cabo Froward, the most southerly point of the Americas mainland. I photographed and videoed this rare event. This amazing adventure continues, but now (23.21hrs) it’s time for some sleep; I have been awake since just after 5am.
Thanks for reading, David.
David's Cruise 