Puerto Natales

Arrived here in Puerto Natales, this is a city of some 21,000 in the Magallanes Region. The province is called Ultimate Esperanza (Last Hope) named by sailor Juan Ladrilleris, who was seeking the Magellan Strait in 1557. It was his ‘last hope’ to find the channels between the Pacific and the mainland to enable Spain to reap riches from the spices of the East, and then let Drake (El Draque) commandeer them, It is also the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park

We went to Torres del Paine National Park yesterday but today (Thursday 21) decided to explore the town, the people are so friendly and helpful, it is sad to think the increasing number of ‘cruise’ ships may well detract from this! We had a seafood lunch at a superb little restaurant La Disqueria, although you do have to worry about a beer with this advertising on the bottle…Read more