Puerto Natales, Chile, South America

I got up this morning, had another nice breakfast at Hostal La Estancia and then checked out to get my bus. Luckily the Magallanes Bus terminal is only a five minute walk from the hostel, so it was easy enough to get to. It was a really nice, new bus, and the emptiest bus I’ve been on in South America. It was really bizarre. There were only six of us on the huge coach bus, and it never stopped to pick anyone else up on the way. Usually they pick up loads of people on the way until there are people standing in the aisles. I guess Puerto Natales isn’t that popular of a place for the locals to go to.

I got into PN at about 2pm, and the manager of the hostel was waiting for me at the bus terminal with a sign for Erik Quelette. I’m not sure how you can get my name that wrong when everything was booked online, so it was 100% correct when they received it, and then they decided to take a chance and write it out themselves. Regardless, I am Erik Quelette, so I got a ride to the hostel.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Hostal Geminis because it didn’t have any reviews on Booking.com, but I am very impressed. It is right in the center of the town, and has a very nice setup. There is a big lobby with lots of seating and it also serves as the dining room for breakfast. I have my own room with a shared bathroom, and very good wifi, for $30 a night. Not too bad for Chile.

I went into town and had dinner at this place recommended by the hostel, but it was only okay. Nothing to write home about. Just chicken and mashed potatoes. I am very surprised at how warm it is here though. It must be 22*C (70*F). Everyone is walking around in shorts and t-shirts. I didn’t expect this in Patagonia.

I found out that a couple of friends who I had met on the Galapagos islands (Laura and Alyce) were in PN for the night as well, so I stopped by there hostel to say hi. I hung out there for an hour or so and caught up with them on everything we’ve seen in between Ecuador and here. And that’s been a lot! The girls just finished the W Trek so were pretty tired, so I headed back here at about 9:30pm and am just looking forward to an early night. The only bad thing about this hostel is the walls are very thin, so I can hear everything going on in the halls. Hopefully that doesn’t keep me up all night.