Chile, Punta Arenas to Santiago

 We left Ushuaia and cruised into Chilean waters.  We were also leaving the protection of the Straits of Magellan and heading into more open waters.  Islands were still present, but, as we headed north, significant Pacific Ocean swells constantly rocked the ship port to starboard.  The Humboldt Current, flowing north from Antarctica, creates a cool wet climate similar to the coast of British Columbia.  

Stopping at Punta Arenas (almost 2,000 miles from the capital of Santiago), we participated in an excursion to a sheep and cattle ranch south from the city.  The ranchers are switching from sheep to cattle because meat from beef is more profitable than wool from sheep.  Also, sheep suffer greater losses from pumas (South American mountain lions).  The area is sparsely populated, and each ranch covers many thousands of acres.

We were able to watch a sheep shearing demonstration.  During the actual shearing of a flock, large outside crews are brought in to trim the hundreds of sheep involved.

We had two days at sea between Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt during which we were to experience scenic fjords and glaciers.  However, during those two days we experienced cold, light rain, fog, with associated cloudy skies.  Yes, I saw some glaciers, but it wasn't really good photographic material.  Dawn and I both experienced minor illnesses, mainly fatigue and chills, during this period so we were not out on deck as much as we could have been.

Our next destination was Puerto Montt and nearby Puerto Varas.  This area is experiencing rapid population growth from two main sources.  First, farming of salmon using submerged pens in the nearby fjords has proved very profitable.  Second, tourism is growing in this scenic area.  Many activities are being developed: boating, kayaking, ziplining, mountain climbing, horse riding, etc.  Housing is in short supply.  More stores are becoming focused on the tourist trade.

Our first activity was to be a hike on the nearby volcanic peak, Volcan Osorno.  However, it snowed the night before and a cloud bank cloaked the peak.  We were brought to about the 6,000-foot level and released from our bus to explore some crude foot paths in the near freezing weather.

The fun in that hike quickly dissipated, and we retreated to a lower elevation.  In this view, our volcano is hidden in stratus clouds.

Next stop was a rushing river with scenic waterfalls.  A wooden walkway had been constructed to get to this location for viewing.

Later in the day the clouds lifted, and we were able to enjoy the scenery.  This large lake is called Llanquihue.

Puerto Montt is at the same latitude as San Carlos de Bariloche on the Argentine side of the border.  In fact, there is a very minor border crossing between the two: a gravel road on the Chilean side leading to a ferry boat landing on Lago Nahuel Huapi in Argentina.  We encountered that crossing in 2017 on an all-day ferry boat ride.

A view of Valparaiso harbor.  Locals call it "the San Francisco of South America" but all we saw was a crowded city of hills.  I haven't been to San Francisco for a while, so maybe it is accurate.  We attempted to take a walk from our harbor pier location, but twice local residents warned us that the area was not safe for tourists such as us.

Not sure why, but vehicle transfers from Valparaiso to Santiago seem quite expensive to me.  I previously searched online and found a reserved private transfer, but at $249 it was hardly a bargain.

We really enjoyed our one-day stay in Santiago, Chile.  Our hotel, Solace Hotel Santiago, is in an excellent neighborhood, convenient to parks, restaurants, and the Teleferico. a cable car system to the top of San Cristobal Hill.  This cable car was chosen by TripAdvisor as the #1 city attraction.  In this photo, you are looking across the city to the snowcapped Andes Mountains.

View in another direction showing the wide expanse of the city.  This part of Chile has a climate similar to California.  Population is 7-8 million.  On our ride into the city, we encountered heavy traffic congestion.

This building, Costanera Center, at 300 meters, is the tallest building in Latin America.

The view from our hotel room window.  We were able to take long walks from our hotel.  We stopped at a nearby German-themed restaurant for a very tasty lunch.  Dinner was at our top-floor outdoor hotel restaurant.   Does this remind you of Hollywood hills, California?  

Our trip did not end here.  We probably would have spent more time in Chile except that we were due in Washington, DC, for Christmas.  From Santiago, we flew to Orlando, Florida, (via Panama) to visit friends and family.  Then we flew from Tampa to Dulles airport in DC to spend Christmas with our son, wife, and grandkids before finally flying home to Colorado.

I was extremely impressed with our service from COPA airlines.  When booking our travel back to the States, they offered the quickest and least expensive 1st class service of any airline.  That included a 40-minute stopover in Panama City to change flights.  As our flight from Chile landed, our next flight was starting to board.  Dawn and I hustled through the Panama airport (new and large) to get to that next flight.  Fortunately, our seats were in row 1.  Not only did we make it onboard, but our checked luggage made it as well!

Our grandkids were fun to be with, ages 6 and 8.  They are old enough that we can discuss almost anything with them on a somewhat equal basis.  By the next time we see them, they will probably be teaching us how to do things, especially with technology.