Patagonia



The Strait of Magellán

After all, what we really came for after reading up on Magellán
(and don't forget Darwin and the Beagle)





we follow it from the west, via Punta Arenas, to the east


the west:


as far as we got - no 4-wheel drive
rather melancholy, isn't it?



Fuerte Bulnes

the last bulwark of "civilization"
not counting a lighthouse or so




no fortress without a church, well-protected within the palissades
against the howling Savages, lusting for Revenge




never forget the calaboose - two floors, still rather cramped


relax and enjoy the view towards

Puerto del Hambre

Some European king, from the splendor of his Mediterranean palace, decided it would be a good idea to start colonizing along the Strait. Thy will be done, Sire! And a bunch of 300 unfortunates was sent out to start a harbor-town. It was located in a gloomy bay east of Fort Bulnes. The colonists all starved or froze to death in the very first winter of 1854. The desolated place, AKA Port Famine, still is awfully depressing (on the pre-Darwin voyage, the captain of the Beagle shot himself there.) There are several Puertos Hambre between Fort Bulnes and Punta Arenas. Makes one wonder.

church and cemetery ruins - monument - actual waterfront

One Bay Too Far


ironically, one bay further to the east
now florishes as a fishing harbor




on to

Center Stage





Punta Arenas


the east:
San Gregorio


across the Strait:
Tierra del Fuego









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