Carnaval de Invierno en Punta Arenas

Girls dancing in the Winter Carnival

There are many places in the World where people gather to welcome the spring, to celebrate after a long awaited harvest or just to eat a lot. Whatever the reason the basic elements for the festivitiy should be lots of food and nice warm climate.

Here in Patagonia we sure have one: lots and lots of food.

It was the year 1997 when the Town Hall invited the comunity to go outside for two days in the middle of winter and eat, sing and watch the carnival floats. This soon became the most important event not only in Punta Arenas but also for the near by town. 13 years later, Chileans and Argentinians get together and participate of this unique festivity that deepens the close bond we Patagonians have with our brother ans sisters from the other side of the fence.

Just imagine hundreds of people dancing on the streets with temperatures that are usually below freezing point. Do we feel cold? Of course, but nothing that a steamy hot chocolate can’t fix. The other solution is to flock like penguins.

By the ends of the second day, the festivity ends with fireworks over the Strait of Magellan.

We flock like penguins

This winter carnival takes place the second weekend of July. Just make sure that you bring layers and willingness to discover Patagonian winter in the souther most Carnival in the world

Ilaia

Ilaia

There are places to sleep and go

There are places to stay

There are places to recharge your soul

There are places that include all of the above

This cosy hotel in Punta Arenas merges nature and yoga inside  warm wooden walls. There is something about this places that makes you want to stay. I don’t know what it is. Perhaps the home made jam or the natural juice. Or maybe the room that overlooks the city lights  at night. I just can’t figure it out. What I do know is that Ilaia has an undeniable force that acts like a  powerful magnet. This is the right place to be during those cold gloomy days that Patagonia usually displays during the high season.

13 people can stay in this hotel which allows a one to one service. Other things that Ilaia has to offer are yoga, wi-fi,  2 laptops and a TV free environment. In order to meet safety standars, the rooms have smoke detectors.

My mother used to say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Ilaia sure lives up to that motto. This is not only because of the home made products but also because the decoration and the many details that catch your eyes.

I just want to wish the best of luck to Victor and Matulic with this new project. (Old high school classmates)

Hotel Ilaia

cosy room

Nature and Yoga

Ignacio Carrera Pinto 351

Punta Arenas

Chile

www.ilaia.cl

reservaslaia.cl

Phone: 00056-61-223592

Café Inmigrantes

Cafe Inmigrantes

There is a place in Punta Arenas where history and sweets go hand in hand.

One of the most important groups of inmigrants is the Croatian who came after the rumor of gold and a better life in Southern Patagonia spread in Europe during the late 1800’s. Soon after their arrival they found themselves facing severe winters, isolation, endless and punishing wind. Through hard work these brave families rooted here at the end of the world until their kids called Punta Arenas home.

In 2006 Dinka and Ivan came up with the idea of going back to their roots and share that part of history by creating a place where the family can go and share. I have to admit that the cookies, cakes and sandwishes are excelent, but Cafe Inmigrantes is more than just a place to eat. That is why you often see families, friends and couples having some quality time or just catching up. Another reason to come here is because Patagonians love sweets, or because we need to warm up the bones. Well, the bottom line is that any excuse is perfect to justify an “once” (AKA Tea time)

I love taking my wife here for “once”, but before I do I have to call and book a table. And what I suggest you to have is the “Once Inmigrante”, “Once Nonos” or one of the Mechados

Cafe Inmigrante

Once at Cafe Inmigrantes

Punta Arenas

Chile

Phone Number: (061) 222205

Address: Quillota 599

Mail: info@inmigrante.cl

La Madera

Outdoor gear in Puerto natales

I first knew of this place because of a triathlon called Kallpamayu. In this far end of the world we do outdoor activities regardless of the weather conditions. In the year 2009 we had a challenging 74 km race which included mountainbike and running with 20 cm of snow. Are we Patagonians crazy? Well, we might be, but just a little.

We all know that in order to enjoy an outdoor experience in Patagonia we have to be fully prepared. If you are missing something, before you go to Torres del Paine National Park visit La Madera.

This is the most complete gear store in Puerto Natales. Here you can find sleeping bags, tents, cloithing, dry food, hiking poles, shoes, socks, base layers, gas stoves, buffs and even bike spare parts.

But there is more to find at La Madera. The adventure can continue in the cold Serrano river of Torres del Paine National Park. Maximize your time in Patagonia by kayaking one of the most pristine and remote areas of this UNESCO site with experienced guides that will lok after you during a 4 day expedition. Even if you have never kayaked before, they will teach you the basic so that you have a safe journey. And if you do not have 3 days, ask for other trips that last only one day.

So, the invitation is not only for you to visit La Madera, but to check Kallpamayu as well. Anyone up to the challenge?. Hope to see you next year.

497 Manuel Bulnes Street

Address:

497 Manuel Bulnes

297 Arturo Prat

Phone (56-61) 413318 – 412138

info@lamadderaoutdoor.com

There is a new Black Sheep in this Lonely Planet.

I was in Natales last week and my father in law told me about a new store. It can only be defined as unique and out of the box.  Black Sheep is a store that goes beyond just selling souvenirs, handicraft  and book. It is also a place to flock to share a cup of coffee while checking the latest tips from one of the most up dated guide books in the world: Lonely Planet.

The idea behind Black Sheep is that coming into the store becomes not just a shopping experience but a memory during your travelling experience in Patagonia. In order to fulfill this motto,  Black Sheep offers to be the link with tour guides, agencies as well as providing information about Torres del Paine National Park.

When you visit this store, you have the chance to travel to other areas of Chile by looking at samples of exclusive crafts nation long. To name a few:

1. Rari: fine jewelry that merges horsehair and Chile’s most important mineral: copper
2. Regional wool products that make a light souvenir.
3. Wine: here you can find a Chilean Late Harvest
   

   Oveja Negra

However, the products that caught my attention more than any other are the gourmet. Here the idea is to rescue the Mapuche cuisine by mixing their traditions with modern ingredients. The dressing that is a must if you like cooking is the Merken, which is a Mapuche spice. And the best part is that the labels are in English so you actually know what you are buying. To continue the line of the traditional ingredients: Kultrun oil, origen vinegar and toasted Chilean nuts.

If you want to enjoy outdoor activities and look good in you pictures,  Black Sheep has a brand of Dry Fit t-shirts with different colors and patterns.

And finally if you are an user of Lonely Planet, you have 20 minutes free internet. Just present the guide when you enter and discover this and other benefits.

And if you are looking forward to a long trip, how about buying a book about Chile that will keep your mind entertained? And if you have non English speaking friends, this is the place to get them that book, because Black Sheep has a vast collection of literature in other languages.

To continue being the black sheep in town, in a few more weeks they will have outdook clothing.

Oveja Negra.

A nice place to read

Celso Perez D.

Address: Baquedano 396, Puerto Natales

Phone: (061) 410709

Mail: celso_rino@hotmail.com

Hostal El Rincon

(Just around “The Corner”)

It was one of those nights when you wish you had booked in advanced. Patagonia was displaying its famous climate.  My wife and I needed a place to sleep before a race called Kalpamallu. This triathlon takes place as one of the many activities that Puerto Natales has to celebrate its anniversary. Therefore it was not surprising that most of the hotels were already full by the time we began looking. On top of that, our stomachs were rumbling and we decided to grab a bite before continuing this quest. As we exited the pizza place we noticed a small sign that said: “El rincon”. We knocked the door trying to look as cute and cuddly as possible hoping to find at last a place to rest our soaking wet bones. It was the owner himself the one who opened the door and let us inside a half finished living room. His name was Ruben Gallardo (AKA “Patita”) and told us that the hostal was not fully operational, but given the conditions he would be happy to takes us in for the night.

This is how I discovered “El Rincon”. Clean private bathroom, comfortable bed and home made breakfast made the right combination to sleep tight and run the Kalpamallu the next day.

If  you are interested on spending a good night sleep at a reasonable price, you should contact:

Hostal El Rincón

How to get here

Pasaje Chiloé N° 355

Phone  : (56) (61) 414405

Cell phone : 095421813

Puerto Natales – Chile.

Or just visit this website:

http://www.hostalelrincon.com/index.html