Magic Magellenos Lamb

The flight was nothing short of spectacular.  I hope the photos taken from the plane window show even a hint of what flying over this rugged mountain range was like ...  cliffs and gullies thousands of feet deep, forests and bare rock of every hue all inscribed with winding rivers of milky green or cobalt blue.  I am so sorry I cannot load photos. If i can buy myself a card reader I think I might be able to... we´ll see.

Everything has gone so well so far, there was a young woman and a chaufer waiting at the airport with a card with our name on it.  We received lots of smiles and charming English as she described her town and what we could see and do while we are here and we visited the restuarant she recommended, famous for it´s lamb dish ´Magellenos Lamb´. (click here for an image I found on the web)  We wandered the streets, before a nap and then out to dinner , Max had the local specialty with an entree of King Crab and I had salmon  ~ deliciouso ~ more bueno.  The lamb is amazing, split down the middle and butterflied, the whole lamb is pegged out crucifix style in a glass oven and slow roasted beside a fire in the centre.  Yep... never took my camera to the restaurant! The wine is absolutely beautiful - a local Cab Sav.  Servings are huge, we´ll know for next time!

Punta Arenas is a shabby, weather worn town.  Empty shops in the main street stand testament to the 27acres of duty free shopping on the outskirts of town aimed at the cruise ship tourist trade. 

Our hotel still smells brand new and is beautifully appointed.  The Chilean people we have met have all been so firiendly and helpful, thanks goodness, we feel so ´dumb´not being able to communicate.

A walk along the waterfront in an icy wind as the suns was setting (at 9.30pm) refreshed and re-energised the mind, body and spirit and took care of the overfed tummies... well almost.