Chile - Day 7 - Punta Arenas

It was raining and windy as we left Torres del Paine this morning. Most people we met this week left yesterday or were also leaving today, and the staff told us that about 60 people from National Geographic were checking in as they were working in the area. About an hour into our 5 hour trip back to Punta Arenas we got a puncture, but the driver managed to get the tyre changed quite quickly.

We had intermittent mobile phone coverage on the journey down which was very frustrating as L our house sitter managed to lock herself outside the house this morning. The storm at home had caused such strong winds that despite putting a chair against the door to hold it open when she took Xena outside for a wee this morning, it slammed shut in the wind locking her out. Whenever we got a signal we were trying to WhatsApp our neighbour (as her phone was inside) but eventually we got it sorted. It wasn’t her fault as the door is one of those security ones that only opens from the inside and she had put a chair against it but it seems Storm Dennis had other plans for her today!


We arrived at our hotel in Punta Arenas at lunch time. We checked in, and then had to check in with the expedition boat staff. We had medical forms to fill out regarding the Coronavirus, and then we went to a room where we were fitted out for our boots which have to be worn in Antarctica. These are sterilised every time we come ashore from an outing ashore. We also have to go vacuum any jackets and outerwear that we have worn before to remove seeds, dust etc. to avoid any contamination when ashore in Antarctica. 

After lunch at the hotel we wandered through the town. The results of the recent riots from the demonstrations can be seen everywhere, with many shops' glass windows still boarded up and graffiti everywhere. You can see a burnt out building from the unrest in the extras. We visited the cemetry which is very interesting with large mausoleums and ornate graves. My blip is of a beautiful tomb that has been damaged with red paint in the recent riots. Punta Arenas is not a place you wish to spend too much time so I am very pleased we rather stayed that extra day in Torres del Paine.

We then went to the expedition briefing. Of the 69 guests on board there are a large number in various photography groups. Our group is only 7 members with our leader Chris. Two of the members turned out to be people I have met before when I did the last trip with Chris many years ago, when we photographed the wild horses in the Carmargue. We were told what to wear and how to behave on shore. We were also given luggage scales to weigh our luggage as it has to be strictly only 20kg including hand luggage and camera equipment - we are all leaving one suitcase behind at this hotel with clothing we don’t require. We were checked by a doctor who took out temperatures as a precaution to contain the Coronavirus. All the guests of the ship are having dinner tonight at a restaurant around the corner, and after dinner we will be told our flight time for tomorrow. It all depends on weather conditions and the pilots confirm it as late as possible.

Although there is weak wifi on board I hear it may not be good enough to upload photos, so this possibly may be my last blip until we return from the boat next Friday.