No lobster this New Years

Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy birthday Shell!  I'm sad I couldn't be there with you today to celebrate your 25th.  I'm thinking about you and wishing you all the best for the next year.


So nice to sleep until 9 this morning.  After grabbing breakfast, I headed out to explore Punta Arenas with Kate, Sarah and Nick.  First stop, the Maritime museum where we watched a fascinating documentary about a trip to Cape Horn back in the 1920s.  After stopping through Militar Palacio Sara Braun, Kate and I walked to the Plaza de Armas (and its church) before venturing to the cemetery (where we shared an interesting conversation about death).  On our way we found Dino's pizza, another restauarant Ricardo recommended, so we stopped into the local restaurant for lunch on the way back in town center.  Our last place of interest was the boardwalk along the Magellan Strait.

From there we strolled back to the hotel, finishing our conversation regarding the last year, for an afternoon of relaxation.  I called Michelle to wish her happy birthday and continued research for my travel.  Sarah came back to the room at 3:30 having spent her afternoon with Nick, and Kate popped in to chat.  By the time we knew it, it was time to get ready for our New Years Eve celebration.


Upon meeting in the lobby at 8pm, I got a number of comments on my dress since its the nicest I've looked the entire trip and we piled into the hotel restaurant (hence the dress since I didn't have to go outside) for our pre-ordered dinner.  The menu was fair, so I simply had tomato soup and mashed potatoes, both of which were poor.  Definitely missing lobster dinner at home.

The entire group - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We eventually got kicked out of the restaurant, as the wait staff wanted to go home, and ended up sitting on the stairs of the hotel waiting to go out.  I didn't feel like fully chaning, so I just put on my trainers with my dress and leggings and added on the coats on top.  A funny sight.  Oh well.  It was way too cold for flip-flops.  At 11:15pm we set out to find the street party, which didn't seem to exist, and went to Sky Bar instead.  I couldn't believe how dead it was on New Years.  In a very modern building with views of the city, one would have thought it was the place to be, especially since there was no cover charge (like most of the bars/clubs).

We quickly ordered drinks since 2011 was rapidly approaching but no one had to exact time.  When it seemed to be midnight, I started a countdown for us.  Another year gone.  At 1am, Kate, Sarah and I left Sameena, Ally, Brad, Steven, Kath and Aldiey, to return to the hotel.  I had a fabulous skype video chat with almost everyone (Shell, mom, dad, Steve, Marge, Jan, Wanda, Mike, B) at my house just before the lobster feast began.  Happy 2011!  

Brad, me and Ally

Happy new year Brad

The girls - Sarah, Sameena, Me and Kate