PUERTO MONTT: bajo el cielo azul ...

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Puerto Montt is a port city in southern Chile that travellers often use as springboard for further trips to Patagonian. In the economical terms, the increased number of salmon farms in the region has helped to bring Puerto Montt to a small boom.

Puerto Montt is also the name of a song the uruguayan band Los Iracundos 
made inmortal in the late 60's. The song is considered the "unofficial" city's anthem. It talks about a couple that is sitting "frente al mar" (at the sea front) just as shown by a huge monument that was build to celebrate it. And continues "bajo el cielo azul" (under the blue sky); it seems the city planners decided to ignore this part of the lyrics.

The number of turistic attractions in Puerto Montt is not large. The San Anselmo fish market is one of them.

By low tyde I saw this old, broken, algae covered fisher boat on the beach. 30 mins later is was already in the water. When I returned after lunch I couldn't see it anymore.

Many large cruise ships do a one day visit to Puerto Montt on their way between Cape Horn and Valparaiso.

In summary Puerto Montt has a clear harbour character, has some dark streets and is not all that safe.

My plan was to spend one day, one night and part of the next day in Puerto Montt. On the second day (Friday 14th) we should start boarding the Navimag ferry around 6pm and leave the port around 9pm.

I was lucky to stay in Rocco Casa Hostel where Mark was very friendly and Angie help us on Saturday by letting all Navimag stranded passengers to use the hostel faciities until 10pm, so that we could stay more or less dry despite the strong rain outside. Gracias Angela por eso!