Where In The World #1?

It’s Often Those Small Ports That Make Cruising Special

Cruising has become increasingly popular for a number of obvious reasons, but one advantage that offers real appeal for us is often neglected by many cruise fans. It’s those small out of the way ports. In selecting a cruise there are dozens of ports of call that many people wouldn’t really make a plan to visit on their own. From the Falklands, to remote ports in Norway, Brunei to Taiwan, or perhaps Moorea or Samoa in the South Pacific or perhaps a stop in Guatemala, they can all be found in cruise itineraries if you look.

Such is the case of todays destination. Any ideas on “Where In The World” these photographs are from? Just a few years back this destination wasn’t on any cruise itineraries and today we’re glad we got the opportunity…

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The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The History Behind The Celebration Of Easter Without question the holiest site in all of Christendom is located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. It represents the location where Jesus was crucified and where his body was laid to rest. Today there is a high level of certainty that the location has been actually identified.…

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Exploring South America

with From Cartagena, Columbia to Ushuaia, Argentina the South American continent is an amazing land of natural wonders and human accomplishments. Explore the islands of the Galapagos or hike around Iguazu Falls, climb up to Machu Picchu or cruise through the Panama Canal. You can even cast off for a trip to Antarctica or walk…

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Where In The World #5?

It seems so other worldly, like Mars or the Moon but it’s right here on Earth. It’s so alien that the NASA space program uses it to test rovers and other equipment. Find the answer HERE. Here Are A Few Of Our More Recent Postings You might Find Interesting…

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Shooting Condors In Southern Chile With The Intentional Travelers

While traveling through Patagonia these massive birds are difficult to ignore. Usually in groups of three to five they seem to glide effortlessly through the sky barely moving their wings.

Csondors have massive wingspans, and the South American Andean condor boasts a wingspan of 10 to 12 feet, making them the largest flying birds in the world. This wingspan enables them to soar effortlessly for long distances and are a common sight in these skies.

While the Andean condor can be spotted throughout Chile, they are particularly common in the southern regions, especially around areas like Cerro Palomares near Punta Arenas, which hosts the largest condor roost in Chilean Patagonia, hosting near seventy-five birds.

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Chile; A Celebration of Street Art

Street art and graffiti are becoming more and more common the world over but in Chile at least, street art is becoming a recognized art form to be celebrated. In Valparaiso there are entire neighborhoods just filled with buildings dedicated to it.

The district of Cerro Alegre

Valparaíso today is a renowned “open-air art museum” of street art, with its most famous, colorful, and dense murals concentrated in the hilly, districts of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. These neighborhoods, along with Cerro Bellavista and Barrio Puerto, feature stunning, often politically-charged, and vibrant murals that cover nearly every surface.

A street artist works on a wall in Cerro Concepción

It’s true that Chile does still suffer from the modern curse of graffiti, but it is significantly outnumbered by street art from Santiago, to Puerto Natale to Valparaíso.

Street art in Puerto Natalie…

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Discover Puerto Natales: Gateway to Torres del Paine

Entrance to town with the Milodon

If you were thinking about going to the ends of the Earth, this might actually be very near there. In its defense it happens to be the gateway to Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park with some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Puerto Natales shares its isolated tip of South America with two other cities; Punta Arenas, Chile on the southeast side of the park and Ushuaia that’s several hundred miles to the southeast in Argentina.

Puerto Natales is either a small city or a large town but its economy is clearly based on tourism. Offering a diverse range of accommodations, including both hotels and hostels, catering to a range of budgets and preferences. As of early 2026, there are approximately 370 properties in the area, which encompass a mix of hotels and hostels.

For those seeking budget-friendly options, there are at least 12 hostels in Puerto Natales, with prices starting as low as US$3 for a dorm bed. Popular choices among travelers include Hostal Camino De Santiago and Hostal Boutique Factoria Patagonia, which are highly rated for their amenities and atmosphere.

Because of the amount of tourists visiting, Puerto Natales has a large selection of excellent restaurants to name just a few:

  • El Brisket 4.5 stars $$$ at 251 Blanco Encalada
  • La Disqueria Restaurant 4.8 stars $$ at Hermann Eberhard 299
  • La cocina criolla 4.9 stars $$ at Manuel Bulnes 242
  • LA GUANACA entre fuegos 4.6 stars $$$ at Magallanes 167
  • Café Artimaña 4.7 stars $$ at Carlos Bories 349
  • Restaurante Los Coigues “Jechef” 4.7 stars $$ at 251· Carlos Bories 221

The major draw is Torres del Paine National Park which is about a little over an hours drive away and most tours will include a visit to the prehistoric Milodon cave in route. It is advised that you pre-purchase admission tickets to avoid delays entering, with one option HERE (many tours will help with admission tickets).

Another recommended option is to book an all inclusive tour which will originate at Puerto Natales. Get Your Guide tour options are found HERE.

There are a number of park admission options that cover a range of days and a very popular park adventure is hiking and back packing for several days.

Taking flights into Puerto Natales (PNT) is the most direct way to reach Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, with flights primarily from Santiago (SCL). While the local Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) offers convenience, travelers can also use Punta Arenas (PUQ) as an alternative airport with frequent bus service to Puerto Natales.

Our Recommendations in Puerto Natales

Restaurant
El Asador Patagónico Restaurant 4.7 stars $$ at Arturo Prat 158, 6160000 Puerto Natales, Chile. Noted for its grilled lamb with an excellent wine selection it is a small intimate room so dining after 6:00 we’d suggest reservations.

Hotel
One popular choice is the Best Western but if you don’t have a car it is about a mile out of town. Our choice was the Hotel Vendaval right in town and only three blocks from the waterfront. Besides the great location it has rooms that are comfortable, showers are hot and breakfast is included. We also enjoyed the hotel bar where you were entitled to a welcome drink and they’d fix you a grilled sandwich.

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Into The Wild In Chile

Llamas…

While we photographed them from Chile’s high desert to the foothills of Patagonia I was never sure which species each was. Chile is home to four distinct camelid species, comprising both domesticated and wild species. Regardless, they are all adapted to this countries harsh environment. These include the domesticated Llama and Alpaca (many ave returned to the wild), along with their never domesticated ancestors, the Guanaco and the Vicuña, mostly found in northern Chile’s Atacama Dessert and Patagonia.

Condors

The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is a massive South American bird with a wingspan of up to 12 feet and weighing up to 33 lbs, making it the world’s largest flying bird. Found along the Andes mountains and the Atacama desert, these birds are critical to the ecosystem by consuming carrion. They are considered near-threatened due to habitat loss.

Flamingos

Several species of flamingos are common in Chile, particularly the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), notable for their striking pale pink plumage and significant size, reaching heights of over four feet. This species is the largest and most prevalent among flamingos in the region, often found in the Atacama Desert in various shallow brackish lakes and lagoons feeding on a brine shrimp common in Chile (primarily Artemia franciscana). these brine shrimp thrive hypersaline lagoons and salt pans, such as those in the Atacama Desert. These brine shrimp are extremophile micro-crustaceans that thrive in high-salt environments, serving as a critical food source for flamingos.

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Passing Through the Village of Toconao, Chile

San Lucas is a popular stop traveling between San Pedro de Atacama and the Atacama desert and its various landscapes like the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons.

The Campanario de San Lucas, a historic bell tower in the small village of Toconao, Chile, at daybreak. The bell tower dates back to the 1700s and is constructed of volcanic stone faced with white stucco. It is a central landmark in the oasis village of Toconao, located within the Atacama Desert. The tower is part of the Iglesia de San Lucas complex, known for its traditional adobe architecture.

The small Church of San Lucas (Iglesia de San Lucas) in Toconao features a two dimensional black metal negative space silhouette sculpture of Jesus Christ at its entrance and traditional interior alter.

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THANKS FOR VISITING AND BEFORE YOU LEAVE WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US. IT WOULD REALLY MEAN THE WORLD TO US…

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