With all day here there was no urgency to head out early. This was fortunate as we’d initially dressed in shorts and t-shirts. Within 15 minutes of enjoying breakfast on our balcony, the heavens opened and we were extremely glad we’d not yet set off.
A revised outfit was arranged and we then headed along the jetty, only to discover our best laid plans were thwarted by our smaller ship docking not at the main port as we had the last two visits to Punta Arenas, but at a smaller quay almost in town. Not that it mattered, we just rearranged our walk.
Firstly heading due South, we walked for about four miles along the coast, enjoying the variously changing neighbourhoods, from ultra chic to rather rundown, then back again. Intersperse this with naval areas and some impressive ranches, and the walk was certainly variable.
Whilst in the naval area I took several photos of guns, tanks, troup carriers and the regimented housing, only to latterly come a cross a sign saying ‘no photos’ and then immediately a solider watching us intently. We were assured in our minds that Mrs May would of course swiftly dispatch a frigate or two should we be inconveniently incarcerated, so it was all Nothing to Worry About!
The wind and rain came suddenly so we decided to back-track towards town, taking a creative alternate route up and through an imaginative new-build housing estate. This rapidly changed to a sink estate but we persevered without problem for several miles until we hit the more touristic areas. The whole town is block-based and within two or three blocks the flavour of the area would change dramatically on more than one occasion.
We aimed for and found a high-spot, literally, where the overview of the town was excellent, and then continued on our route heading in the direction of the other port. We aimed for a place we knew from before, and used that as the turning point before returning on another street. These streets are huge, with enormous central reservations, containing children’s play areas (great idea kids, ‘go and play in the middle of the dual carriage way!’) and monuments. We stopped at the shepard monument and took photos sat on the bronze sheep, as we have done previously.
We stopped off at the cemetery, a surprisingly beautiful area with huge trees and tombs. Finally we were back in town, all the shops, churches and the cathederal were closed, so we had a quick walk around the familiar main square, walked along the front for a while in gale-force winds (Captain had warned us to expect 40 - 50 knot winds!) and then struggled to get back to the port against the wind. The breakers were huge, and there were two additional tugs waiting should we need them.
Hubby needed jacuzzi treatment after yesterday’s horsey day plus another 16 miles today, but I needed to make a change to our box-office, so left him to the jacuzzi, me struggling against the terribly slow internet.
One amusing event today was my posting on Seabourn Sailors FaceBook Group about our dissatisfaction of the TK Grill. By the time we returned, there was a mountain of response, a few in support but a lot against my opinion. I can see that my European thoughts are falling well off the mark with the predominantly American clientele. I’m tempted to respond with a few more words, but the truth is they won’t change my opinion and I won’t change theirs so I’m not going to waste my effort. Shame though, as you will know the new Grill is just not our cup of tea - which of course sums up nicely the great divide in our opinions!
We felt the need for champagne and caviar whilst dressing for dinner so had that on the balcony overlooking a stunning new Peruvian research vessell. She was fire-engine red, had a huge helicopter pad, numerous Zodiacs and assorted cranes and other odd bits. Apparently she carries ROVs and a submarine too. It’s odd that she didn’t show on Marine Traffic, presumably armed forces vessels don’t but I’d not noticed that before.
Dinner tonight was lamb shank for him and duck breast for me, both were excellent. We then went on the watch the ship’s company perform a country and western show, but whilst it was perfectly executed, neither of us was especially engaged by it. Just not our kind of music, a bit like the Grill perhaps?
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