Punta Arenas, Chile

Though I often prefer the Chilean and Argentine countryside, Punta Arenas is a lovely city to visit and spend a few days. Most tourists hurry from their cruise ship or the airport and quickly head north to Puerto Natales and the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park, or south to Tierra del Fuego or Antarctica, I enjoy hanging out here. Besides, I have enjoyed visiting those place (though not Antarctica).

My first visit here was a short one in 1965 as a Peace Corps volunteer on vacation with few pesos in his pocket.


Here is the same view of downtown in 2009.


These guys are talented folkloristas and played cuecas at midday in the Plaza.
They were very entertaining. Several locals, young and old, spontaneously responded by dancing to this most Chilean music.


Bories Street next to the Plaza in 1965.


The same scene in 2009.


Here is my favorite bed & breakfast in town, and I recommend it highly. Dinka's House is a short distance from downtown and just a few blocks from the Strait. It is quiet and very reasonably priced. Señora Dinka is a second generation Croatian, one of many people in the area descended from immigrants attracted to the sheep industry in the early 20th century. I never understood why she picked this name, as hardly anyone speaks English. A stay at Dinka's is worth it if only to taste her delicious homemade rhubarb jam at breakfast. She is an animated and joyful hostess.