Greetings from Punta Arenas

Our wake-up call was at 2:30 AM, suitcases out by 2:45, then breakfast and a bus ride to the Airport. Arrived at the airport by 4:00 AM.  We were to board at 5:30 for the 6:00 plane from Santiago to Punta Arenas.  We were standing in line to board when suddenly Nadia said, "Plan B.  Please be seated."  We all sat down and she told us that they were bringing another plane around.  "Remember this is South America."  She repeated her mantra from the first day:  "Be flexible, eager, and positive." The first plane finished boarding. Another plane arrived and filled completely.  These were not small planes - Airbus 322-  so where did all the people come from?  Anyway, we were in the air by 6:30.  Arrived in Punta Arenas around 9:30.  The airport and area around it are rather scruffy.  Reminds you of the saying, "It isn't the end of the earth, but you can see it from here."  We are 600 miles across the water from Antarctica The guide said that the town has 120,000 people, but it certainly doesn't look like that.  The houses are brightly colored, built on very small pieces of land, and usually connected to one another.  Because of the Strait of Magellan, this was part of an important trade route.  All that changed with the building of the Panama Canal.  The discovery of petroleum after WWII helped as has the cruise industry.  Today there were two ships in dock:  Holland America and a Princess.  They each have one more run before the end of the cruise season here.
We are in a beautiful hotel, Dreams.  It is a contemporary glass structure on the waters' edge.  So far we have had a bus/walking tour of the area and lunch.  Will have a group dinner tonight.  We have been instructed to dress warmly and waterproof tomorrow.  This area usually has at least 30 mph winds, often higher.  It is also rainy. After a day of exploring tomorrow, we board Scorpio for our days of glacier watching.  There is no internet on board.  Today I am enjoying free internet in our room--what a luxury!