How do you get away from the end of the earth?
Buggared if I know. But still, I did get to see some penguins yesterday (many, many penguins – the island smelt like Grandad’s chicken shed).
After the 5 hour hour boat trip we didn’t want to run back to our ‘hotel’. (It is a special place. 7 quid a night. It is 100% 1970s B&B with mismatched, damp-affected wallpaper and faux wood panelling as standard. Sitcom moment provided when we did get back at midnight and a met a woman in her nightie on the corridor. My ‘room’ was 4 foot wide and when I coughed Cath next door laughed. When the bloke the other side of her snored I thought it was she. Breakfast this morning (I’m not making this up) was stale swiss roll, orange squash and sachets of Nescafe.)
Anyway, so five of us walk into the poshest hotel in Punta Arenas at 10pm and ask to see the menu. No problem. We all agree we can eat from it, so ask for a table. ‘There aren’t any’. What about those three. ‘They’re reserved.’ Please etc. Eventually… ‘OK. they’re not reserved, but the kitchen shuts at 10.30.’ We’ll order quick. We do. That’ll be two salmon, two conger and some meat. 5 minutes later – no salmon, only conger. OK. 5 mins on. No conger only salmon. That’s fine. 5 mins on. We only have 2 conger and 1 salmon, but we do have fetuccine. Just give us that and we’ll share out when we get it. The veg soup never arrived. It was all good though.
Currently trying to leave Punta Arenas. It would be easier to leave Alcatraz. Still, hope springs eternal and all that. God knows where I’ll be tomorrow. Suspect it will still be here, but I’m (now) hoping it’ll be 250km north.
Song will have to be End of The World by REM, although I’ve a feeling there’s a better ‘end of world’ song somewhere. Anyway I’ve achieved the title of the blog, even if I can’t seem to upload any photos of penguins to prove it.
PS Insurance companies reacting as expected. They’ve offered £500 for a £2000 machine. Please pop any anger (if you have any) into the freezer for a week or so. It will be needed.
Tags: Travel
JohnnyBoy
February 8th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
The search is over, you have gone to the end of the Earth to find that smell again. Must have brought back some wonderful memories. Susan and I had names for those chickens; shame Uncle Tommy and Cousin Mike had to ring their necks. Scarred for life, we were…
As for the laptop, why are they offering you money, if they are saying that it isn’t covered?Got Nicky Campbell’s e-mail address at the ready. Just say the word.
February 9th, 2006 at 6:17 am
I left a message on here last night and it has disappeared…
February 9th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Hola amigo. Been off line for a while due to virus hell. Ive learnt a lot about the russian hackers in the last few days. They have my identity and there welcome to it. if they think they can rip me off they have another thing coming, ive nothing to rip off. Nob heads. My anger is cooling but can be popped into the oven at any time. Please remember to specify which anger is to be heated to avoid any confusion. Have you ever been anywhere and not got ripped? Im learning guitar………
Can any one make a(nother) joke up about 2 salmon, 2 conger and some meat? Winner gets a cigar.
February 10th, 2006 at 11:10 am
I don’t care much for salmon and conger but sadly must report that eels are currently swimming in the wrong direction (Harewood may hold the key).
February 10th, 2006 at 11:12 am
See? I told you you’d run out of land eventually!
Sounds like the catering there leaves a little to be desired but hey, if you’ve ever wanted to try roast penguin, you’ll never get a better chance…
February 10th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Sounds like the Kings Heartbreak Hotel would be more appropriate, although that was only at the end of lonely street.
February 10th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Only £500, the cheek of it. But not to worry, nip over to Rhyl on the quick as Tesco are turning out lap tops at £380. Should be enough in the bank for some decent digs.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
What do you mean wrong as usual? I refer to the Roses comment.
Outraged in Havana.
February 13th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Watchdog will have to wait a few days… pehaps they can investigate Fidel’s Russian life-stealers. Need more info on that one. Must check the Eels progress. The King will make an appearance, but not today. Mmm – roast penguin, with a whale starter, perhaps…