January 19 - Punta Arenas, Chile

Woke this morning to find us docked in Punta Arenas.   All was quiet aboard ship.   Opened the curtains to find two of the crew working on my deck.   Don't know what they were doing, but think (since they had on masks) that it was something involving dust or toxic paint!!

John and Sandi have gone ashore for a good, long walk.   I put on my hiking boots with very good intentions, but seem to be stuck here at Seabourn Square, enjoying my morning latte and a bran muffin.  Will depend on them to get me some good photos for this blog.



  



The cemetery seemed to be the place that got the most visitors.   Sandi and John said that it was so well kept, beautifully manicured, and locals coming and going after they'd paid respects and left flowers.

Punta Arenas (meaning "Sandy Point") is a commune and the capital city of Chile's southernmost region.  Magallanes and Antarctica Chilean.  The city was officially renamed Magallanes in 1927, but in 1938 it was changed back to Punta Arenas.   It is the largest city south of the 46th parallel south.   Sitting by the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas was in the past indisputably considered the world's southernmost city, although in the 20th century new settlements have grown to a considerable size further south, for example Ushuaia and Rio Grande in Argentina.  This city has also been called "the city of the red roofs" for the red-painted metal roofs that characterized the city for many years.

We had an easy afternoon and then got ready for another formal night.   Tonight in the main restaurant, there is a Chef's Dinner.   This consists of signature dishes (tasting menu) prepared by our Executive Chef de Cuisine, Christopher Graham.   Here is the menu:

*  Smoked Salmon Pave - avocado mousse, caviar creme fraiche

 *  Porcini Risotto - truffle jelly, wild mushrooms

 *  Celeriac Cappuccino - blue cheese, apple cider

 *  Yuzu and Passionfruit Granite - coconut, chilli

 *  Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin - short rib cigar, turnip puree, pickled beets

 OR

 *  Prosciutto Wrapped Monkfish - shellfish tortellino, romesco puree, palourde clam

 *  Chocolate Moelleux - raspberry, basil, honey comb

 *  Selection of Petit Fours and lovely wines.

Was so busy eating all of the good food that I forgot to take any photos!!

 We all enjoyed the Monkfish, though that particular fish is not my favorite.   Everything was so beautifully presented.

 After dinner we retired to the poker table, and then on to Blackjack.   Both John and I came away winners.   Just know that my usual bad luck is lurking right around the corner. 

 During the night we had some very bumpy seas - we'd been warned earlier by the captain to tuck away anything in our suites that might take a tumble.




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