From Ushuaia, we sailed the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan to reach Punta Arenas, Chile, another focal point for cruise ship resupply and Antarctic visitation. Punta Arenas is arguably the largest city south of the 46th parallel. The Beagle Channel is sometimes referred to as glacier alley. The transit was beautiful. Due to high winds, our shore excursion, which involved a speed boat ride to a remote island, was cancelled. So Jane and I just walked the streets of Punta Arenas and took in some sights. Not much of interest in the town, but it was quite colorful, clean and a lot of interesting landscaping. Sara Braun, widow of a wealthy landowner in the late 1800s, had a tremendous influence on the area through her philanthropy. Here residence, now a hotel, is quite interesting architecturally. She also donated the land on which the city cemetery is located, with one stipulation. Upon her death, the main gate to the cemetery was to be permanently closed, and it was.
From Punta Arenas the Quest headed north for a two sea day sail through the Sarmiento Channel. The channel offers passage protected from the sometimes turbulent South Pacific and exquisite viewing including El Brujo glacier.