Patagonia: Torres del Paine Expedition Dispatch

January 30, 2010 – Welcome to Punta Arenas: Our First Stop!

When we first arrived in Punta Arenas after a three hour flight straight south from Santiago, we knew we were in a different kind of place. We are still in the middle of summer, but it is no longer warm. We are at the southern edge of the continent and this place has an ends-of-the-earth feel. We appreciate the relaxed and friendly behavior of the people here. The awe of the natural world and the presence of a difficult and colorful history have a mark on these people. This is a diverse population that has seen it all.

This is a university town, a port and an important gateway to the Southern Ocean. Located on the Straits of Magellan, it has never regained the global importance that it had before the completion of the Panama Canal, but it remains a vibrant and international location.

We are fortunate to be staying at the Jose Nogueira Hotel. We are right in the middle of downtown, just across from the statue of Magellan in the central plaza. It is one of the oldest buildings in all of Patagonia and it has been declared a National Monument. Famous guests such as the King of Spain and Princess Anne of England have stayed here.

The most interesting part of the hotel’s history for us however are those involved with the struggles of Sir Ernest Shackleton to rescue his crew from Elephant Island in 1916. It was here that he negotiated for the boats to return to get his men, which would bring a happy conclusion to one of the greatest adventure stories of the 20th century.

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to going by boat to Isla Magdalena to visit a colony of Magellanic Penguins.