Blogs from Magallanes, Chile, South America - page 90

We're already running out of superlatives with which to describe the places that we have visited in South America. As far as we're concerned Torres del Paine trumps the lot - it's probably the most stunning place that either of us have ever visited. We'll try to describe it as best we can but we could never do it justice - you'll just have to visit it for yourselves. Torres del Paine is a national park just to the south of the southern Patagonian ice sheet. It encompasses a variety of terrains but the centrepiece is a cluster of jagged pinnacles with vertical walls up to 1000 metres tall. They were formed over 13 million years ago when huge forces in the earth's core thrust the earth's crust towards the heavens. The peaks were sharpened by ... read more

After a long day's travelling we arrived in the much chillier town of Punta Arenas on the Chilean side of Patagonia. It was late and cold when we arrived so we were happy to find a room with a heater in it. Next day we piled on layers of clothes and went into town, a small colonial place, very quaint. We had the most expensive hot chocolate in the world, but it was in a nice warm cafe with great views of the sea. In the evening we went on a boat trip to Isla Magdalena, home to over 100,000 penguins! The boat ride over was freezing and our fingers felt like they could drop off! The island itself was worth enduring the chill for. The penguins were very entertaining, constantly making honking noises and waddling ... read more

Oh well...what to say...just another fantastic 3 days treking round some of the most dramatic scenary on earth. This is such a tough trip !! So..after taking advice (see later..grrrrr) we decided to do the trip without tents, as we were were booked into a Refugio for the first night and were told we could hire tents for the remaining nights. We were told to take sleeping bags, as apparently the ones available at the refugio´s were not too good, so we hired some from our hostal. Since Lou's back was still hurting, Steve honerably agreed to carry most of the kit (guess who´s writing this blog !!)... Blimey...does anyone know how much space two winter sleepings bags take up...and how much they weigh...had to cut down on the grundies. Anyway...we were given duff advice. All ... read more

I had to use the title. I have been freezing! It has all been a little crazy over the last week or so. Arrived in Coihayque and it poured down with rain the whole time I was there which was a huge shame. The town is nestled in the mountains and everywhere you look there is a mountain peak to admire. The tourist office was not where the guide book said and I spent the morning freezing in internet cafes or wandering around trying to find the tourist office or someone who could explain how the buses worked. Eventually I struck lucky finding someone who informed me that there was 1 bus company which had a bus the next day, otherwise I would have to wait another day. You can imagine my determination. With no sign ... read more

alana typed up a fantastic little thing but it doesn´t seem to be posting. so in the interim I am going to to post a bunch of photos from puerto moreno glacier and parque nacional torres del paine. ... read more