CHILE, Puerto Natales to Ushuaia, ARGENTINA

 December 26, 2010.     (ARGENTINA,  Ushuai)

I caught the 7:30 am bus to Ushuai from Puerto Natales,  Chile.  About 6 hours of this journey was on gravel/dirt highways. We also had one ferry crossing.  I arrived at 7:30 pm and located the FREE Style Hostel. Checked the nearby travel agency looking for inexpensive, last minute Antarctica trip. I was told to check back tomorrow. 

December 27, 2010.   

I was waiting for an opportunity to do the January 1st cruise to Antarctica for $3149 but it seems someone else booked the last spot. I decided to go the the December 28th departure for  $3990. Not happy about it but much less than the typical cost of $10,000. It is a "Once in a lifetime experience ".  I also booked a $197 flight from Ushuai to Buenos Aires on my return. The flight is 4 hours and the bus to Buenos Aires was 50 hours AND $250. NO BRAINER. Antarctica departure tomorrow. 

CHILE, Puerto Natales (Back for Christmas)

December 24-26th, 2010

Back in Puerto Natales in time for  Christmas and the much änticipated Christmas Eve Dinner. The backpacker cost was only $10 and that included Lamb (my 1st experience EVER) , various vegetables and unlimited wine. What I am not accustomed to us eating dinner late in the evening which is a Spanish tradition. It was almost 11 pm when dinner was served, I think. Remember there was unlimited wine and only a few snacks to hold us over until dinner.  It was an amazing meal and seems the hostel owner was also a Chef.

CHILE, Patagonia, Hiking Torres del Paine (Part 2)

Sunday  12/19/10  to  Friday   12/24/10

Incredible 6 nights and 7 days in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in Chile. Every day hiking had every type of weather imaginable. It was really windy every day but one. I mean anywhere from 30-60 mph constantly. Some gusts stronger than others but always constant. It gets dark around 10:30 pm and light around 4:30 am so there is plenty of daylight to hike. There was rain about half of the time but more of a light drizzle than a downpour. Good rain gear is essential. There was not a lot of hiking high in the mountains. Most of the hiking was up and down along the lakes with the occasional hike up to Los Torres, the French Valley and to see Glacier Grey. While many times the hikes up were painful they were not difficult by any means. If I had camped instead (which I probably should have), the hikes would have been more challenging and the views even more spectacular I have been told. The hiking and scenery was beautiful and fun regardless.  Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Glacier Grey

Wind blowing the water

Condors

CHILE, Patagonia, Torres del Paine (Part 1)

December 18-24, 2010

Incredible experience hiking the W Circuit in  Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in Chile. Stayed in Refugio's (hostel like but closer to hotel with bunk beds). The cost was about $45 a night without sheets and blanket which was extra $12 so I rented a sleeping bag for my bunk at $3 a day. Also there was no kitchen access so breakfast was $12, lunch was $14 and dinner was $17. Quite a little racket they have since they have a monopoly unless you are camping. But sometimes you have to pay to see those sights which are hard to get to and in great demand. Would have camped and cooked myself if I had known what I know now but regardless, it was one of those great hiking experiences.

Map of W Circuit