Arriving in Puerto Natales late afternoon on the 3rd, we checked into our comfortable hostel (full of people we recognised from the boat), dumped our washing on the local launderette and took a look around the town. It is in the middle of a barren wilderness, and somewhat barren itself but has a good feel to it. There are a few interesting old wooden buildings dotted around the centre. In a half-hearted attempt to eat local (lamb, pretty much the first time we'd come across it in S America), we went to a highly recommended pizzeria on the main square whose speciality was a lamb pizza. Unfortunately they had no lamb. Still, damn fine pizza.

We'd kept the 4th free in case of any delay on the boat and so it was a day of leisure. Lie in, late breakfast, pottering around town and generally taking it easy. In the evening we met the Singaporean couple from the boat for dinner, this time in a truly authentic asado (Chilean BBQ). In a prime example of how small the world is, at the next table was the (English) guy at whose birthday celebration Fabrice and I met all those years ago. Of course I didn't recognise him from Adam. Random.

Puerto Natales primarily only really exists to service the tourist industry, and as a stop off town rather than a destination in itself. However, it is a nice place in itself, and the presence of a fair few upmarket hotels, restaurants and shops demonstrates that it is on the up as a destination.