Puerto Natales 16-19 November



Back online even though I am freezing. Had to recheck the term "wind chill factor". It has been terribly windy out here in Puerto Natales.



The landscape does not seem to fascinate me. After Cordoba it was been virtually the same



The Pampas is one of the largest fertile grassland plains in the world, covering almost one third of Argentina’s land area. Pampa is in fact a Quechua word meaning “flat plain”. The Pampas extends for 750,000 square kilometres from the Atlantic to the Andes and continues into Uruguay. This is the home of cattle ranches, sheep estancia and the gaucho!

Patagonia, vast steppe (windswept plains), covers more than one million square kilometers (400,000 square miles) and plays host to an incredible variety of landscapes and wildlife. Stretching across South America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, this region straddles two countries divided by the Andes Mountains: Chile and Argentina.






We arrived after a 6 hour bus trip from El Calafate. We had to cross the border from Argentina to Chile. My banana and apple was not part of the declaration and was threatened with a 250 dollar fine. In the end the sweet lady permitted us with a stern warning and a revised declaration form. Incidentally when we crossed the border from Chile to Argentina (Jama Pass), we were not checked for food stuff. BTW, I threw my fruit away before we crossed over. - Murphy's law I guess.

 We checked into a cute hostel "ISSAC HOUSE" situated near the 'Centro' It cost us 1500CLP (or 150bucks) by taxi from the bus station. The hostel comprises 4 bedrooms and a common bathroom and kitchen area. It as a strange looking cooking stove that is heated by gas. The area is cosy and we enjoyed our first evening with Captain Christian Villablanca and Captain Mrs Daniela, who run a boat which moves around these water for research and different type of expeditions. 

 We strolled around town and planned for our whole day trip the next day. The sun played hide-n-seek the whole day with a strong cold breeze always reminding us that we are 50S and not 17N in Mumbai. 
ISSAC HOUSE



Puerto Natales, a pink house and a wall painted with the history of the indigenous people of the region


We booked a day trip on a bus from Puerto Natales to Torres Del Paine National Park. Believe me there is a 9 day trek into the park and even a 8 hour trek to the Torres del Paine 3 towers. I thought of the 8 hour trek, but did not fell fit for it (my aim was still the Antarctica sail trip, and I did not want to believe I was 35.


One could see the white horses on the lake, and I think it was close to 25knot wind. It was cold, and lucky I did not lose my camera






One can see the different shades of light. The only common factor was the 30kt wind

The bus continues to trundle along winding gravel roads to bring you to the main spots like the stunningly blue Sarmiento de Gamboa Lake, the gorgeous waterfalls and, of course, Lago Grey which is home to giant icebergs. The weather was not right, as we had rain, fog, sun and snow all in a matter of hours and continued all through the day. We did not see the iconic three 'Blue Towers' looming in the background. 






We saw some flora and fauna of the park. Packs of wild horses grazed, giant condors hovered overhead, the odd rhea (the ostrich's South American cousin) peered at us curiously whilst herds of adorable guanacos frolicked









Later in the evening we arrived at the Milodon Cave Natural Monument and delve into the darkened depths to encounter life-size replicas of a prehistoric giant sloth. Gain fascinating insight in the 19th century discovery of the extinct creatures as you stroll past stalactite-studded crevices








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