Tail End

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At the tail end of our 2-Week-Patagonian-Backpacking-Adventure, we finish in El Calafáte. The hostel we stayed at was up a hill away from the center of town and difficult to find in the dark. Dain and I are discovering that if the Argentinians don´t know the answer to a question, they just make-up something. After a series of bad directions, we found our hostel just in time for everything to close and went to bed hungry.

The next morning we spent booking a tour to the Glaciers on a boat and just strolling around town. El Calafáte is much more modern, comparable to Vail, Colorado. We went to the Lake Nimez Nature and Bird Reserve for a picnic. Here I discovered the closest thing to Dog Heaven on Earth. In this Nature area most of the town´s stray dogs gather to chase birds, go swimming, roam with friends and acompany humans around the lake. Our dog guide, whom we named Dingo, stayed by our sides for 2 hours. On the way back into town we stopped by a local shop of a famous Artesian and Dain picked out some excellent rocks. Standing in line at the bank, who do we meet but the Actuaries from England.

Following this meeting was an extensive happy hour and dinner. The place they reccommended was the best meal I´ve had since leaving the states. A stew of sorts with sweet potatoes, carnesada, spices and veggies served in a pumpkin! Delicious and filling! Of course, we had a night cap back at our happy hour table and everyone headed in not looking forward to getting up early the next morning.

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Photos

Iceberg
Laguna Argentine. 20% of the iceberg is above water, 80% is below.

3 Glaciers
...all spilling into the same lake. Glacier Onelli, Bolado, Agassizi

Blonde Beard and Me
At the lake.

Ice Berg
In one of the canals in Laguna Argentine

Another ice berg
Lago. AG

Big Iceberg
This size could have brought down Titanic. (80% of it is under water.)

Upsala Glacier
Laguna Argentine

Glacier Spegazzini
Our favorite glacier from the boat excursion.

Comments

[Sagebrush]

Wow!
Hey Jaime and Dain! The pictures are gorgeous! I've heard so much about Patagonia -- you know, nature shows and such -- it's very cool you are there. Love the commentary -- the good and the bad makes it all so real! I'll be checking in from time to time -- keep those gorgeous pics coming. And of course, if there are any interesting dogs, send pics of them too! Aunt Carla

[Darcie G.]

Wow! Neat experience..
What a beautiful adventure that you and Dain got to experience. I love the blog and pictures. You did a great job describing each day. Totally makes me want to go! I love the "Doggie Heaven" with all the dogs running around.. of course the glaciers and waterfall are amazing. I am so happy for your adventure! A place I will keep in mind for my future adventures... Good luck with everything and maybe see you in the future....

[Phil and Chloe]

Yo
Great memories - terrible hangover! Love the blog. From your actuarial friends from England (and Scotland!!!). Phil and Chloe x

[Stacey]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your photos are awesome!! Dain, I feel like I know you. Glad you survived your 25th!!!! Keep it coming. Makes my handwritten journals of our trips seem soooooo antique - no internet back then. Take care and keep having adventures - don't you love public transport in foreign countries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Stacey

[Jaimeta]

Doggie Heaven
Did you see the video I posted under "Tail End" It was the nature reserve in El Calafate, it was hilarious! We made friends with a couple of dogs, they weren't even begging, just liked human company I suppose. In Bs As, there are sooo many strays. All seem to have some sort of German Shepard descent, at one point. There is a stray goldie I see outside our bldg. from time to time, he is the closet to a pure bred stray I've seen. We see a few of the shaggy, grey and white dogs around as well. Pet owners tend to have boxers, pit bulls, Yorkshire terriers, poodles or other toy dogs. Interesting to me, I have met quite a few silver Mastifs, I really like them! Funny enough, the stray dogs seem happier than the dogs with owners!