Punta Arenas—The Southernmost City of Chile

Before our cruise ventured to Antarctica, it first docked at Punta Arenas, then crossed the Strait of Magellan and stopped at Ushuaia, officially beginning the Antarctic journey. Punta Arenas serves as the prelude to the Antarctic expedition. 🌟🌟🌟 Punta Arenas (Punta Arenas) is the most important port city in the Strait of Magellan and the gateway to Antarctica. Before the opening of the Panama Canal in the 20th century, it was a vital route for communication between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Its unique geographical location also makes it an important supply station for Antarctic research vessels. 🌟🌟🌟 In the city center's Plaza de Armas, a Magellan Monument stands tall, commemorating the great navigator who completed the first circumnavigation of the world. At the base of the monument, there is a statue of a barefoot indigenous person sitting down. Locally, it is affectionately known as the “Bigfoot Man” due to its large feet. Crew members departing for Antarctica would come here before their voyage to kiss or touch the statue's big feet, praying for a smooth and safe journey. 🌟🌟🌟 The seafront promenade and city center of Punta Arenas are imbued with natural and historical cultural charm. Walking through the city center, you can see various sculptures and monuments. The strong winds and blue waters, along with the colorful houses, make people feel relaxed and cheerful. The towering and lush cypress trees in the Punta Arenas Cemetery, known as one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries, are all trimmed into tall and round shapes, which is a testament to the superb skills of the gardeners. #OffbeatTravelDestinations#ObscureYetInterestingCities #SouthAmerica #Chile #PuntaArenas