Punta Arenas
Sunday, 04 April 2010 00:00
I didn’t plan to stay 2 nights in Punta Arenas, but seeing how all my kit was wet, the morning was sunny, and the ferry to Puerto Montt didn't leave for 3 days, I decided to stick around.
Punta Arenas was originally a military garrison know as Sandy Point. It was also used as a stopover for those sailing to the California Gold Rush, but grew into a wool export city. Oil, discovered in Tierra del Fuego in the 40's, has kept the city going since the wool boom ended after WWII.
The main plaza has a monument of Ferdinand Magellan with a statue of a Tehuelche Indian at the base.
If you touch of kiss the foot of the Tehuelche Indian, you will return to Punta Arenas
Unfortunately, the museums where closed, I guess because of Easter weekend, so I just walked around the city.
Cathedral
Tomorrow I'm off to search for penguins and ride to Puerto Natales.