Greetings from Punta Arenas, Chile, the southernmost city in the world. Well, Ushuaia, Argentina (where we will be tomorrow) lays claim to that, as well but since Ushuaia is on Tierra del Fuego, the Chileans figure it makes them the ‘continental’ champions. No matter how you figure it, we are very far south. It is strange to know we are in the middle of their summer and the temperature rarely gets above 15. All four seasons can be represented on a daily basis and we are told that our tour this morning was one of the best days of this entire summer. I only had to wear a turtleneck and a light jacket while the sun was out but bought a hat and pulled out the gloves when it went behind a cloud. We got back to the ship and sat outside to have something to eat as it was sunny and feeling warm. Within minutes it darkened, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees (at least that’s what it felt like) and the rain and hail started up. Ten minutes later we had brilliant sunshine. And so on and so on…….it will be like this until we get further north in Argentina which will be a few more days. As we head up to Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires we will be back up into the 30s. Each day has been extremely different from the one before which is making for some very interesting times.
Punta Arenas is visually not a very impressive city. With a population of 100,000 it is only in the burgeoning stages of tourism and as I mentioned yesterday it has mainly focused on lumber and oil to support its economy. Not unlike our far north, the wages here are 35% higher than the Chilean national average and many people try to come here for the last 5 years of their working lives as the national pension is based on that last five years. With the climate here being what it is - winters like our Arctic winters and summers like our southern Ontario winters - it seems like a sort of penance to do before one retires. Retirement age here is 60 for women and 65 for men. We did the highlights of the city in about 4 hours, mostly involving many statues of Magellan and a museum highlighting how much the Catholic missionaries did for the development of the area. Not a lot of discussion about the demise of the native Indians due to the same influence. Interesting how that goes. Not a lot of difference in the hemispheres, is there? I will be looking forward to the more nature oriented view of the area on our return sail. Bye for now from the bottom of the Earth………love, Sally xoxo
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Punta Arenas, Chile
Greetings from Punta Arenas, Chile, the southernmost city in the world. Well, Ushuaia, Argentina (where we will be tomorrow) lays claim to that, as well but since Ushuaia is on Tierra del Fuego, the Chileans figure it makes them the ‘continental’ champions. No matter how you figure it, we are very far south. It is strange to know we are in the middle of their summer and the temperature rarely gets above 15. All four seasons can be represented on a daily basis and we are told that our tour this morning was one of the best days of this entire summer. I only had to wear a turtleneck and a light jacket while the sun was out but bought a hat and pulled out the gloves when it went behind a cloud. We got back to the ship and sat outside to have something to eat as it was sunny and feeling warm. Within minutes it darkened, the temperature dropped about 10 degrees (at least that’s what it felt like) and the rain and hail started up. Ten minutes later we had brilliant sunshine. And so on and so on…….it will be like this until we get further north in Argentina which will be a few more days. As we head up to Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires we will be back up into the 30s. Each day has been extremely different from the one before which is making for some very interesting times.
Punta Arenas is visually not a very impressive city. With a population of 100,000 it is only in the burgeoning stages of tourism and as I mentioned yesterday it has mainly focused on lumber and oil to support its economy. Not unlike our far north, the wages here are 35% higher than the Chilean national average and many people try to come here for the last 5 years of their working lives as the national pension is based on that last five years. With the climate here being what it is - winters like our Arctic winters and summers like our southern Ontario winters - it seems like a sort of penance to do before one retires. Retirement age here is 60 for women and 65 for men. We did the highlights of the city in about 4 hours, mostly involving many statues of Magellan and a museum highlighting how much the Catholic missionaries did for the development of the area. Not a lot of discussion about the demise of the native Indians due to the same influence. Interesting how that goes. Not a lot of difference in the hemispheres, is there? I will be looking forward to the more nature oriented view of the area on our return sail. Bye for now from the bottom of the Earth………love, Sally xoxo
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Hey Aunt Sally!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see u are having a good time! The southern air seems to be agreeing with you, you look FAB!! But not like that's anything new :) :)
I think the blog is an AWESOME idea to let the rest of us live vicariously through you and your travels!
Can't wait to see more of your travels!!
Sometime when you get back we need to make a coffee date though! It's been too long!!!! I'll have to fill you in on all the spectacular wedding plans!! And I'll pray just a little that you don't have any other jetsetting plans for August :) :)
Love you lots!!
Xoxoxoxoxoxox
Tiffany :)
Hey, Tiff, I am happy that you are enjoying it. Me, too! We will for sure have that date as I would love to hear about all your plans. Most exciting! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture of you. You just keep getting younger..... Please share some of your secrets!!!!!
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