Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier

---

Bought our bus tickets to Rio Gallegos in Bariloche, where we would then get a transfer to Calafate. So we set off from Bariloche at 5.15pm with a hamper of food given to us by Julie after we learnt there was no food on the bus! We arrived at 10am the next day in Caleta Olivia, a small seaside town that was the South American equivalent of Morecambe! A 5 hour or so wait was enjoyed by a refreshing dip in the sea (first swim in the South Atlantic!) and watching Italy beat France in the 6 Nations, what a result! It was then back onto a bus and off we went, reaching Rio Gallegos at 1.30am on Sunday. We then found out that the next bus to Calafate wasn't until 9.15 and a night in a cold, uncomfy bus station ensued with only a couple of hours sleep. True traveller style!! When we finally got on the bus we discovered it was a cama bus (the equivalent of business class) and 4 hours of blissful sleep followed!

We had pre-booked 2 nights at the Che Lagarto hostel here in El Calafate and checking in was smooth. We even managed to watch the last 10 minutes of England vs Scotland! Can´t wait for the Ireland match! After cooking some soya for tea (surprisingly nice!) and a disastrous pasta episode we went to bed and to catch up on sleep.

The next day we awoke nice and early at 7.30am, ate the hostels attempt at breakfast and headed to the Perito Moreno glacier on a tour booked through the hostel for 90 pesos (15 pounds) cheaper than any of the bus prices in town. A 70km drive and a 100 peso entrance fee later we got a boat up to the glacier front, and then spent the rest of the day just sitting on the catwalks in front of the glacier, listening the the ice crack as it moved and watching as lumps fell off the 5km wide, 30km long and 60m high river of ice. It was the best natural feature I have ever seen, absolutely knocking Iguazu out of the park, and the huge dynamic forces at play were really calming, it really was amazing!

That night we headed out on what was to be my first visit to a casino, with a load of really cool Israelis we had met at the hostel. I set myself a limit of 50 pesos and it turned out to be great fun, and I left having won 40 pesos! Its only about 7 quid but I was happy! We eventually got in at about 3am and so lay in this morning until about 11. We then explored the town of Calafate which is pretty but quite dull, the main attraction here is obviously the glacier!! We booked bus tickets to El Chalten today as well and set off at 8am tomorrow morning! However, tonight the casino beckons, I just hope my 50 pesos can do the same again!

---

Comments

[Reece B]

Maaaaate, sounds like ur having a propa decent time!! Can't wait for u both to return tho. Brilliant how u get the rugby over there. Italy v. France - sooo good, and win for Wales. ta lads xx