My name is Marion Vermazen. I am a traveler, hiker, reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, YouTuber, Spanish and French language student, knitter, weaver and genealogist.
Blog post for Saturday, October 28, 2023
Today was wet and cold in Puerto Natales. We returned our rental pickup truck and then explored the town for a bit.
When we were ready to head back to the hotel we decided to walk the three miles along the waterfront. Much of the walk we were entertained by a pack of dog that were having a marvelous time playing catch the car. They never actually caught a car but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
We had a wonderful dinner at the hotel.
Blog post for Friday, October 27, 2023
When I commented to our waitress in El Calafate that the wind was really blowing hard she said “That’s Patagonia!” We definitely had more Patagonia weather today.
Before leaving El Calafate we mailed postcards and then used the last of our Argentine pesos to buy chocolate.
The weather was quite pleasant in Calafate but as the day progressed the wind kept getting stronger. We drove for about three hours through a real gale and about 30 minutes of driving rain before we got to the Chilean-Argentine border.
Luckily this time there were no tour buses in front of us and we crossed into Chile fairly quickly. Less than an hour later we were at our hotel in Puerto Natales.
After resting a bit we braved the wind to go up to the main building for some games.
For dinner we went into a Puerto Natales and ate at JAU Natales Restaurant. We are kind of hooked on Patagonian lamb. That’s what three of us had. I had a crab stew. It was good but I kind of wish I had had the lamb.
Afterwards we had some chocolates in our room from our collection.
Blog post for Thursday, 26 October 2023
Today we drove 47 miles west from El Calafate to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. The Glacier is massive. The height at the highest part of the glacier at its front on Lago Argentina is more than 70 meters. The width at the widest part we could see is more than 2.5 kilometers. There are extensive raised walkways all over the hill across from the face of the glacier. We walked for an hour or more all along them. The National park has done an excellent job with interpretive signs.
Tonight is our last night in Argentina. Tomorrow we drive back into Chile. For dinner we decided to have one more Argentine meat meal. Tonight we had steak.
Blog post for Wednesday, 25 October, 2023
Today we retraced our steps from El Chaltén back to El Calafate. The wind has been blowing incredibly hard the whole day and Mount Fitz Roy was hidden in the clouds.
We played cards for a while when we got here and later went to dinner at the same place we ate last time we were in El Calafate, Parrilla Don Pichon. The power was out but they were running a generator for the essentials. This time each couple shared a lamb platter. It is what Bonnie and Brian had last time. Oh my was it devine! The best lamb I have ever eaten.
Blog post for Tuesday 24 October 2023
We are spending three nights in El Chaltén. It’s great to not have to move and it allowed us to do another hike today.
This morning we drove north from El Chaltén about 25 miles on a dirt road to the Glacier Huemul trail. Nearby you can also take a boat ride on Lago del Desierto. We decided to hike to the glacier lookout.
They charge the equivalent of about three dollars to hike the glacier trail. there were quite a few people on the trail.
The trail up to the glacier outlook started relatively flat but then it got quite steep. It was about a mile and a half to the top. The climb was absolutely worth it. When we got to what appeared to be the viewpoint we had a stunning view of the glacier.
But just a little bit farther up the trail we’re surprised to find an ice covered lake below the glacier.
Today Mount Fitz Roy has been mostly covered in clouds. In the picture below you can just see it sticking out of the clouds between the two branches.
For dinner we ate at a wonderful restaurant called La Cerveceria the service and all our food was absolutely wonderful!
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