Blogs from Magallanes, Chile, South America - page 87

Another early start - today we cross the border from Argentina into Chile. We´re all ready, by the bus, except one of the Italians, Juliano. Unfortunately he´s got to dry his hair, brought the hair dryer and everything. So we wait, and learn a little more about the ranch instead. It´s 27,00 hectares, with lots of sheep (MerinoX), which they breed for fine wool and meat. There´s a few cows, and 70 odd horses for working. They started rural tourism to earn some money, after a horrendous snow storm in 1996, which left the place covered in over 1m of snow for almost 2 months. Almost all the animals died, so they have had to rebuild and try other methods of earning money to attempt to get back the stock they had then. They´re still trying ... read more

Yes, yes, backdated again. It´s hard to catch up, as our whirlwind schedule provides scant opportunity for trips to the internet cafe. As for current events, we are in Bariloche, Argentina for two days followed by (hopefully) a trip to Pucon, Chile, to climb a volcano. But that will wait for another time. So, where were we? After getting our backpacks ready and gathering the necessary food, it was off to Parque National Torres del Paine to hike the Circuito Grando, a 143 km trek around the best features of the park. Since there are still no pictures posted, I can´t actually show you what it was like, but you can look up pictures in any number of places. The bus went to the park with a quick stop, at which the Patagonian wind first reared ... read more

OK, so it´s been a while since I´ve updated this. Currently, we are in Puerto Natales and have been in the area since the 4th, so I´ve backdated this entry to reflect the date the events should have occurred, had time permitted. If you would just care to read about our hike in Torres del Paine, you can skip ahead to the next entry. So, when last I wrote, we had just returned from a short trip to Iguazu Falls and were in Buenos Aires waiting to catch our first overnight bus, with the final destination of Puerto Madryn, a smallish seaside town near the Valdes Peninsula, known for it´s wildlife viewing. The bus trip was uneventful and we arrived in Puerto Madryn around lunch time. We took a taxi to our hostel, which was ... read more

Geschter z oobe am 11i bin ich (ziemlig erschöpft) us em Torres del Paine Nationalpark zrugg nach Puerto Natales ko. Kurz zum Afang gseit: dä Park isch ab sofort und bis uf witeres mis Südamerika Highlight No.1! Wieso, das könned ihr euch viellicht scho e bitz anhand vo de Bildli do erkläre, allerdings könne die nur anöchernd vermittle, welli Vielfalt dä Park bietet. lüchtigi türkisgrüeni bis dunkelblaui Bärgsee-e, hellblaui Gletscherzunge, riesigi Isfälder, schier unändliches Grasland, die wildischte Felsformatione, atemberaubendi Täler & Schluchte, Wälder, Buschland, Hügel ... und vieles mehr - und das alles in unmittelbarer Richwite z Fuess erreichbar. Ich ha dört dr sogenannti "W-Trek" (circuito W) gmacht - das sind ca 90km und 2000 Höhemeter in 5 Tag - und das richtig mit Zält, Isomatte, Schlofsack und Camping Gaskocher bewaffnet. Es git zwor im Park ... read more

Commence alors notre première expérience des voyages en bus avec les films plus ou moins pourris, les plateaux repas quand il y en a, les toilettes « à n’utiliser qu’en cas d’urgence pour prévenir le choléra », les arrêts stations essences… Nous nous trouvons assis juste à côté de deux Suisses fort sympathiques, Sylvie et Wilfred, qui ont tout quitté pendant trois mois pour se balader à travers l’Equateur, le Pérou, le Chili et l’Argentine… Nous partagerons plusieurs moments dans les jours qui suivront. Que dire sur le trajet, sinon que ça passe assez bien finalement, avec quelques bouquins et tous les films, même les plus nuls, pour travailler l’espagnol… Pour descendre à Punta Arenas les bus sont obligés de passer par l’Argentine (entre Puerto Montt et Puerto Natales le Chili n’est constitué que d’îles), et ... read more