Blogs from Magallanes, Chile, South America - page 8

Zwei Sonnentage in Punta Arenas fuellten wir mit einem Besuch des Friedhofes, der die Einwanderungsgeschichte der Stadt wiederspiegelt. (Kuriositaet: "Grab der deutschen Krankenkasse") und dem Erwerb eines neuen Telefons fuer Wessel, da das alte einem kaputten Ladegeraet zum Opfer fiel. Sehr spannend, sowohl technisch als auch sprachlich! In Puerto Natales am Fjord Ultima Esperanza haben wir Heidrun's Geburtstag verbracht. Wir liefen zu einem spektakulaeren Hotel, das einst eine Schafsfleischverarbeitungsstation war. Hier wurden Schafe geschlachtet und tiefgefroren nach England verschifft. Das Gebaeude verbindet sehr geschmackvoll seine Geschichte mit einer luxurioes eingerichteten Herberge. Hier nahmen wir ein kleines Mittagessen zu uns. Das richtige Highlight des Tages war aber das Essen im Restaurant Afrigonia. Ein Afrikaner hat es gewagt und die Afrikanische Kueche mit der Patagonisc... read more

CAPE HORN & THE BEAGLE CHANNEL 1st & 2nd February We had taken on board two Chilean pilots in Uruguay to guide us through the next few days around Horn and through the various channels. They would not disembark until Valparaiso. Both of these areas were cruising only, not really much to see but how desolate it must have been to navigate this area in the past. It puts into perspective the number of wrecks we saw in the Falklands as to how devastating the weather was in these parts. Cape Horn named after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands, is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small url=ht... read more

Thursday 4th February, 2016. Cruising Past Cape Horn Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, remains a maritime legend to this day, as sailing around this remote point and then through the Drake Passage was (and is) one of the most challenging nautical routes on the planet. The violent stretch of chaotic water between Antarctica and South America, one frequented by icebergs, huge waves and plagued by gale-force winds, is crossed by sailors with great trepidation. Many still prefer to use the sheltered Strait of Magellan which we have already sailed through before reaching the last stop. The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 subsequently reduced the need for maritime travel around Cape Horn, the notorious site of many ship wreaks, and the final resting place of countless sailors lost in its perilous waters, ... read more

Park Map: http://globe-trekking.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/map_torres_del_paine5web.jpg After Antarctica (See Antarctic Cruise Blogs) we head straight to El Calafate, Argentina, and check out Los Glaciers National Park. This is a beautiful place, but the crème de mint of our Patagonia plans is Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We take an early morning bus to Puerto Natalas, Chile on the first Wednesday of the new year. This is our home base for hiking in Torres del Paine. Walking to our guesthouse we are really disappointed by the condition of the town. It is really run down, not attractive at all. The parks are dilapidated and dirty. Garbage is on the side of the road. Shaggy stray dogs wander around everywhere. For a place that gets as many tourists as this I was ex... read more

Torres del Paine As the weather is so variable at the Torres I waited until there was an accurate forecast before booking my trip across the border and back into Chile. Unfortunately by the time I had worked out the best time to go the only accommodation available was $500 US a night, hence this became a day trip!In hindsight this was the right call. The guide told me they had only seen the towers two days of the last seven, while I had a bright morning with some cloud on the tops which cleared into a glorious sunny afternoon with amazing views of some of the most stunning mountains I have ever seen.The day started at 6.45 in an 'overland' type truck for the drive across the steppe, mainly on dirt roads. Apart from the ... read more