travelbroadensthemind: Punta Arenas

We hired a car to get to Punta Arenas instead of bussing it! It was great to stop and take pictures that we thought were interesting and part of the story.

This part of the world is very windy, driving was difficult as the car was constantly being shoved around by the wind.

Wide open windswept landscapes,

with surprising displays of multicoloured lupins along the roadside.

We came across the odd Estancia ( farm) miles from anywhere.

With their own bus stop at the end of the drive.

Punta Arenas used to be very wealthy when sheep farming was at its height, large mansions being built to reflect its glory.

But the not so well off had to live as well.

Nowadays the city makes its money from cruise ships. A very smart harbour, complete with clock tower graces the port, which looks out at the Magellan Straights. Remember your geography lessons?

With cruse ships waiting to take its passengers to the Chilean Fiords and Antarctica.

The centre of the city is the park with souvenir traps all round! It was once very graceful.

But, the crafters are there as well, passing the time of day

Wool for sale everywhere.

The dog thinks its time to rest.

Before going to church!

The Cathedral is very typical of South America - full of Spanish influence.

A memorial to the local Indians who were wiped out!

We discovered a reproduction of Magellan's ship. It is being built by a local business man who plans to sail the same route round the world as Magellan did.