Punta Arenas, Puerto NatalesWe left Tierra del Fuego, using the Ferry from Porvenir to Punta Arenas. The ferry needs 2.5 hours for sailing. As we left Porvenir, we met Sergio, a Spanish guy with his bicycle again (we already met him in Ushuaia).

Punta Arenas

On the ferry we had some time to talk and as we arrived in Punta Arenas we took the same hostel (Independencia Lodging). Well, we didn't take a room in the hostel, but camped in the garden which was also possible.
In Punta Arenas we spent two nights. We wanted to buy some more camping equipment, and so we drove to Zona Franca, a duty free zone. But on sunday most of the shops were closed. We though "no problem" and went there again on monday - but this was a holiday and Chile and the shops were still closed. So we packed our stuff together without having bought anything and moved on to Puerto Natales.

Melanie and Christian cooking.
(Hostel Independencia, Punta Arenas)

Puerto Natales

From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales it's 250km to go on a paved road. We had the information, that there is a campground in the city centre, so we directly went there. In our guidbook we read "Puerto Natales is a quiet town, nice to relax a few days ....", but there were so many tourists, that i found it neither quiet nor nice to relax". At least we used the town - as all the other tourists too - to buy food for the hiking trip in the natinal park TORRES del PAINE. I also changed the tire of my bike. Melanie had brought it from Germany and Christian had transported in since then on his bike. Changing the tire was no problem and a new tire lets you feel much better, when driving with 100 km/h on a gravel road. On our second day in Purto Natales a swiss couple Jan and Salva arrived with their car and it nice talking with them.

10-12-2003 to be continued