To celebrate Julie's BIG birthday her choice of holiday was to
visit Patagonia. Here is a selection of photos from the trip.
Julie at Heathrow Airport
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We spent a day in Buenos Aires before our flight to El Calafate.
Amongst the places we visited was the mausoleum of San Martin,
leader of the struggle for independence from Spain.
We also visited the old docklands.
On our way to the Fitzroy National Park
Our first view of the Andes and Lago Argentino
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From El Calafate to our first tour destination, El Chalten, is 3-hours by road. We
broke the journey at a small (but popular) watering hole called La
Leona. Butch Cassidy is still wanted around these parts!
Finally, El Chalten and the Fitzroy
massif. This was to be the clearest
view we had in our three-days there: the weather turned rather inclement until
the day we left. Surprise surprise
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The holiday was organised (to a high standard) by Ramblers. Our
local guides, Santiago and Paco, were excellent (as
was John, the Ramblers rep and support guide).
The first accommodation was Hosteria Poincenot:
a basic hotel but certainly fit for purpose
Not at all bad weather, but the famous peaks were all in cloud
Clouds covered the high peaks, but the walking was still fabulous
Our target for the day was this lake of glacial melt water. The
waves give only a hint of how windy this spot was!
The wind was ferocious!
The wind did create crazy cloud shapes
Our second walking day started by crossing the Rio Fitzroy. Still
windy, but now also a hint of rain
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Off to find the gold
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The wind might have given me a 'swept back' hairstyle, but the Magellanic woodpeckers take the prize!
The following day, our last full walking day at Fitzroy, started
in thick cloud
The clouds were not so low as to impede all views
Not the perfect view we had hoped for, but still stunning all the
same
The return leg of the walk also gave us great views
Finally, on the day of our departure, we saw Fitzroy!
We romped up to a nearby viewpoint to enjoy the views
After taking in the view we headed off to El Calafate for two
nights, the intention to visit Perito Moreno Glacier
First view of the Perito Moreno Glacier,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site
We took a boat trip to the glacier
But the best views, in my opinion, are to be had from the land
A substantial section of the face of the glacier has this
excellent walkway. The total length of the walkway is ~1.5km and takes you
through various levels to see the glacier from every angle
There is no doubting the sheer splendour of this place!
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Crazy ice and clouds
After our two nights in El Calafate we set off to cross the border
to Chile
Guanaco, a subspecies of llama, are seen in large numbers in Chile
Dawn on the first walking day at the Torres del Paine National
Park.
Although clouds were forecast for our first day, the weather was
predicted to improve
Cabanas del Paine, on
the banks of the river Serrano, a great place to stay with stunning views
Our walk took us past Hotel
Explora, frequented by the rich and famous,
at $US2000 per night, and a minimum stay of four nights, we won't be staying
there any time soon!
Clouds over the Towers of Paine. But tomorrow's another day:)
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Clouds don't spoil glacial lakes
The following day the weather did indeed come good:
Dawn from our hotel
A little later: the full magnificence Torres del
Paine!
View from our drive to the trailhead
Julie and gang powering away early in the walk to Torres del Paine
Jose (our guide), Rob, Brian, Julie and Ron relaxing at the
halfway point
And then finally the reason for the walk, Torres del Paine: worth all the effort!
Contented bunch of walkers
Dream on
Back in Buenos Aires we had a day to explore the city. We did a
rail trip, boat trip, and a walk around the city.
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This ingenious sculpture opens and closes with the sun:)
And the mausoleum is strangely, if somewhat morbidly, fascinating
And finally, some incidental photos from the trip:
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All told it was a fabulous trip. And
we were so lucky with the weather: not many folk, it would appear, have seen
the Torres del Paine in such good conditions! |
Last meal in Buenos Aires: Steak of course:)