Saturday, February 4, 2012

Just a quick note:   We´re in a hostel (owned and operated by an ex-pat named Bill from Salem, Oregon)  in Puerto Natales where we stayed last night and the Internet is pretty slow here.

 After two days (three nights) at Torres del Paine, we drove here yesterday and are on our way to Tierra del Fuego today.  Needless to say,Torres is spectacular. Wednesday, Laura hiked up a steep trail in one of the valleys in the park.  In places the wind seemed strong enough to blow you off the trail.  Thursday we drove through the park to Lago Gray and took a boat to a glacier at one end of the lake.  When we reached the glacier, the captain slowed the boat and the crew broke out pisco sours and whiskeys for us tourists.

Have seen guanacos, flamingos, rheas and one condor.  Also, on the way to the park we visited a colony of Magellanic penguins.  This involved driving across a narrow place between the Strait of Magellan and the Pacific where the penguins were, essentially crossing the continent in less than 30 miles.  

Today we´ll drive to a place where we can take a ferry to Tierra del Fuego.  

Along the Strait of Magellan

Postscript:  In reality, we got to the ferry line, waited for an hour, turned around and returned to Punta Arenas.  John was coming down with a cold (which fortunately neither Laura nor I caught).   Tierra del Fuego will have to wait.


Friday, February 3

Drive from Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales:

Farewell to Torres del Paine

Flamingos on Lago Armaga

Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales waterfront

Thursday, February 2

Drive to Lago Grey and boat ride on the lake to see the Grey Glacier:

View from the park road

The road along Lago Pehoe (pronounced pay-way)

 The boat trip involved a short bus ride from the Hotel Lago Grey, a walk through woods, across a suspension bridge (Galloping Gertie in the wind) over a river, and walk over dry lake bed to the dock.  Because water levels are too low, the passengers are then ferried to the boat.

Flag of the Magallanes and Antarctica Chilean Region

When the boat reaches the glacier, the crew serves pisco sours and whiskeys.

Grey Glacier

Grey Glacier

Wednesday, February 1

Day hike from Refugio Torre Central (a hostel with dormitory style accommodations and mediocre food, our lodging place) into Rio Ascensio valley:     It's warm, probably around 70 F at the lodge when we return, but in the valley it's windy and cool, and the rain is coming in.

  

View back toward Lago Nordenskjöld

Looking up the valley

View from Refugio Torre Central