Antarctica to Zimbabwe – Day 37 – Silver Wind, Puerto Williams

Antarctica to Zimbabwe – Day 36 – Silver Wind, Puerto Williams can be found here.

Up at the usual time, just before 8 am. Changeover day is upon us.

We managed to keep one of our staterooms through the full 40 day voyage, but we need to switch the other one. Our butler has made this process as easy as possible. He even offered to move everything over for us, including items in the drawers – but we settle for packing up most of our clothing and having him move our bags and what’s hanging in the closet.

We’re supposed to be out of our staterooms by 9 am. I expect they would have been flexible on that, but we don’t want to make changeover any more difficult than it needs to be. So we pack up early then grab breakfast in the Restaurant before heading into Puerto Williams to explore.

It took a bit of prodding, but Silversea did eventually come up with some nice excursion options including a pottery workshop and a nature tour. We considered these options, but eventually decide to take the day just for us.

Puerto Williams is a quirky little town with a definite charm:

Quite a few unleashed dogs in town. They seemed curious but well-behaved:

This one appears to be having some kind of existential crisis

We also spot a flight coming in:

The next group of Silversea passengers, mayhaps?

We soon realize that Puerto Williams businesses tend to have very limited hours. So when we arrive at the pharmacy at 10 am, we discover it’s closed. As is the cafe that we planned on visiting.

We do find a nice outdoor supply store, the Comercial Antártica:

Here we find a nice Antarctica sticker for our daughter:

We then set out for a walk along the coast, with an eclectic mix of buildings, wildlife and stunning landscapes:

And then venture into the Ukika municipal park:

We spotted several beautiful caracaras

And the kids discover what might be the southernmost playground in the world:

Along with some improvised rope swings:

We then retrace our steps and discover that the cafe has since opened:

So we stop for a hot chocolate and some small treats:

By the time we make our way back into town, the pharmacy has opened too. We’d hoped to pick up more Bonine (meclizine hydrochloride for ages 12+), but without success – not an issue though as the Wind should be bringing more on. We do manage to acquire some more toothpaste with the help of our trusty sidekick, Google Translate.

Then’s then time to head back to the ship and pick up our new suite key. They initially have us changing into the wrong room, but we soon have it sorted out.

We manage to catch the limited dining window at the Restaurant:

The kids each ordered a grilled cheese, whcih they enjoyed:

While I had the steak, which was mildly overdone:

Staff is turning over too so it may take a few days before everything is once more firing on all cylinders.

Then we even manage to get some laundry washed! It’s been a struggle, but we’re finally back to Laundry Zero. (Which of course only lasts until the next shower, but it’s a good feeling nonetheless.)

It’s still another hour before the new passengers arrive, so we take a few moments to simply enjoy having the ship to ourselves. We change early and head to the Observation Lounge where we order canapes, and read, and watch the world go by:

We take a final few photos of Puerto Williams, with the Dientes de Navarino in the distance:

And the yacht club at the end of the world:

Something quite peculiar then happens – not one but two newly arrived couples introduce themselves to tell us how much they’ve enjoyed the blog and the pictures I’ve been taking. Very flattering! And an excellent way to recruit for our newly-formed trivia team.

Off to dinner at the Grill, where they have changed the menu slightly: