El Calafate is situated next to Lago Argentino which is the third largest lake in all of South America. In my opinion that´s the only thing this town has got going for it. It´s a pretty area but you just can´t help feeling that the locals are squeezing every little gringo cent out of you in any way they can and again (like Bariloche) the town thrives on tourism.Never-the-less it was a great place to chill out for a bit with our new Aussie friends and to try out all of our new camping equipment. We arrived at 2am in the freezing cold so it was a test to pitch the tent for it´s first time.
The following day, Michael noticed a bike in the car park with Aussie stickers on it, so our little party expanded not before long and we teamed up with Jules and Grant and had a great time sharing travel adventures. Jules and Grant had been on the road for a staggering 20 months on their motorbike ´Piggy.´ I couldn´t help feeling a little envious of their trip. Bikes certainly let you see the world from a different angle and give you so much more freedom. If you´re reading this smilers, good luck with getting Piggy to Africa and thank you again for your wonderful cooking and company!
From El Calafate we decided to take a little trip up to see Glacier Perito Moreno situated in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. On trying to find a bus there which would allow us to walk around the park for a few hours we found that they were all booked for the day. Kaylene had a bright idea to check out a taxi and it turned out cheaper for us to all pool together; the added bonus was having our own private tour guide whom let us stop for photographs wherever needed!
OK, so I don´t own a wide angled lens, but I hope the photos above give you the general picture of what a beautiful glacier Perito Moreno is! I´ll stitch them together when I get the time!
The following day, Michael noticed a bike in the car park with Aussie stickers on it, so our little party expanded not before long and we teamed up with Jules and Grant and had a great time sharing travel adventures. Jules and Grant had been on the road for a staggering 20 months on their motorbike ´Piggy.´ I couldn´t help feeling a little envious of their trip. Bikes certainly let you see the world from a different angle and give you so much more freedom. If you´re reading this smilers, good luck with getting Piggy to Africa and thank you again for your wonderful cooking and company!
From El Calafate we decided to take a little trip up to see Glacier Perito Moreno situated in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. On trying to find a bus there which would allow us to walk around the park for a few hours we found that they were all booked for the day. Kaylene had a bright idea to check out a taxi and it turned out cheaper for us to all pool together; the added bonus was having our own private tour guide whom let us stop for photographs wherever needed!Perito Moreno glacier is one of only two advancing glaciers in South America and sadly one of only a few left on this planet (that are advancing)! And it was quite the performer...
Every so often you would hear what sounds like a canon being fired across the valley and then a huge ´roar´ as vast amounts of ice break off and crashed into Lago Argentino below.
OK, so I don´t own a wide angled lens, but I hope the photos above give you the general picture of what a beautiful glacier Perito Moreno is! I´ll stitch them together when I get the time!
We camped in Calafate for a few nights, then double checked our gear and caught a bus up to Puerto Natales to prepare for the Torres del Paine trek.
I´m just going to finish this blog with a few more photos! See you in Puerto Natales!
I´m just going to finish this blog with a few more photos! See you in Puerto Natales!
