Adventures in South America: Punta Arenas, Chile

We left Torres del Paine this morning around 10:00 and headed back to Puerto Natales. There, we dropped off the rental car and had a nice lunch, then headed to the bus station. For just 7,800 pesos each (les than $12 Canadian) we caught a comfortable three hour bus south through the Patagonian expanses to Punta Arenas.

Here, we checked into the Hostal Terra Antarctica. As the name of the hostel suggests, Punta Arenas is one of the main departure points to the southernmost continent, but we will not be getting there on this trip.

We did head south, however, albeit only a few blocks, to the Strait of Magellan waterfront. 

Chile's most popular football team, the Santiago-based Colo-Colo, won the league title this afternoon, and there were many people quite happy, clearly; incessant honking, firecrackers, singing, and flag waving filled the streets and the Plaza de Armas. 

Here is some video for a better taste of the sights and sounds.

After some walking and a little shopping we went for dinner and shared a plate of chorrillana, a classic, not especially healthy, Chilean dish of French fries topped with fried meats, onions, eggs, and vegetables.