The northwesterly wind picks up pace as it rolls down the Andes and blasts into Punta Arenas like an avalanche. It is absolutely screeching, I would estimate that the wind speed in the protected main square is 40 knots, announcing its awesome presence in every gust.
Out to sea is a bleak and colourless landscape, from my room at Hotel Cabo de Hornos, I can see out over the Magdalen Strait and the shadows of land to the south. The weather has closed in and the sky has taken on a frosted appearance echoing the grey sea below.
The sea state is only slight, seemingly knocked flat by the incessant wind, however the water is white with foam, spewing into the air. It's bloody fresh!
There are a few people out in the open, being buffeted by the conditions, but life seems top go on as normal; the school bus is operational and shops are open but no wonder the buildings here are painted a variety of colours. If it weren’t for this spectrum of make-up, Punta Arenas would be viewed in black and white.
The old port here is now a memory of the past, it used to be the only umbilical chord for supplies from the outside world. Now most of the produce comes in by air.The waterfront is being redeveloped, a big children’s play area is a great idea but you have to wonder at the thought process that went into putting basket ball hoops outside in a place like this. Forgivable for sure, but the glass conference centre quite apply named – Dreams, which sticks out like a giant enormous glass pencil sharpener has got to be a mistake of white elephant proportions. Who on earth is going to use it? This area is rich in natural gas and you can probably guess that the edifice is a way of not giving all the money to central government. But I ask you, why not build and indoor sports complex for the local kids instead?
Perhaps my thoughts are turning grey and dull like the weather but outside it is difficult to hear yourself think, let alone raise your spirits in a place like this.
Today we leave the last vestiges of man’s attempt at rejuvenating land and head into the wilderness, I am looking forward to the adjustment to black and white, I have a feeling it may extenuate the colours of this land and its wildlife.
Boarding the boat in about this afternoon, to be honest with you, I have some feelings of trepidation, I can see the Via Australis cruise ship, because it dominates the port, due to its size. However, I am all too well aware that conditions on land are usually far better than at sea.
From this evening, the blog will rely on a satellite fix for the BGAN Explorer 110 from Xtra-Link. The unit is about the size of a chunky paperback and it is made by Thrane & Thrane. The same company that produce the ‘bullet-proof’ sat.com and radio hardware for the Volvo Ocean Race. I have absolute faith in the kit, but getting a fix on a satellite at sea level surrounded by mountains, maybe a little tricky.
Louay
