We arrived in Punta Arenas this afternoon with our friends Tom and Karen after more than 20 hours of continuous travel. We found the crisp air invigorating as we did a little exploring on foot. Pictured above is the Palacio Sara Braun, one of the more architecturally interesting buildings adjacent to the Plaza Muñoz Gamero. Below is the interior of the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Punta Arenas located on a different corner of the square.

We decided to visit the nearby Explorers House, the rally point of our Chilean cruise operator Antarctica21. It is a dedicated facility built from a converted 100-year-old wool and sheepskin warehouse, with an area of over 21,500 sq ft on two floors. Here, guests can prepare for their expedition by attending briefings, reviewing checklists, trying on expedition gear, and learning how to board a Zodiac. Having arrived a day ahead of our scheduled departure, we simply enjoyed beverages while relaxing in the very relaxing setting. In the foreground, there is a scale model of the Magellan Explorer, the ship we will be sailing on.