The first port for our cruise was Punta Arenas, Chile.
I didn’t do an excursion for this port. My last visit was nine years ago, when I took a ferry to Magdalena Island, which is a nesting ground for penguins. It was such a memorable experience, and I got so many amazing photos, that I decided it couldn’t be topped. Instead, I took the ship’s tender shuttle to town and explored.
I had a delicious lunch in a hotel bar , with a glass ceiling and lots of plants. Not to mention a handsome waiter who had a great sense of humor. It was a good opportunity to have a Pisco Sour, a traditional Chilean drink. There were two versions of the drink on the menu, one simply a Pisco Sour, the other a Chilean Pisco Sour. I asked the waiter what the difference was, besides the higher price for the latter. He assured me the Chilean version, made from Chilean alcohol, was much better. 😃
A stroll around the city took me to a lovely park (above) that despite the chilly wind was a pleasant visit.
The visit to the park gave me the opportunity to touch the toe of the statue that is supposed to bring good luck and a return to Punta Arenas in the future. You’ll notice his toe is pretty shiny!
The wind was very strong, making it hard to maintain my balance on the pier as we waited to board the tender shuttle back to the ship. The ride was pretty exciting, too!
Travels with Billie 