Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Craig & Jills Round the World Trip
The journey to Puerto Natales from Punta Arenas was a 250km 3hr coach ride along a near perfectly straight road. The view was similar to driving over the moors with a brief stop for a farmer crossing his sheep over the road.
We thought Puerto Natales would be a little more civilised than the bleak streets of Punta Arenas but they were pretty similar, the only bonus being there were a few more places to eat. We had already sorted a hotel before we got here so we had a nice room and hopefully a clean bed to look forward to!
Sunday was spent arranging a trip for Monday to the Torres Del Paine national park, basically what everyone comes down to this part of the world to see.
The trip left at 7.30 in the morning, the park is 150km away along unpaved gravel tracks! We're in for a bumpy ride.
The first stop of the day was at a huge cave, called Milodon cave after pre-historic animal remains that were found in the cave. The cave was bizarre, really big and deep, yet it had natural light all the way in.
It was then on through minefields laid by Chile in an old war with Argentina. They dont know where they laid them so the whole area is fenced off now! We also stopped at a border crossing to Argentina.
The national park is a basically a number of large mountains popular with hikers, as we were only on a day trip there would be no hiking for us!
We stopped at a waterfall on the edge of a green glacier lake at the foot of the mountains. You cant tell but there was a force 9 gale blowing so we were battling to stay standing up as we took our photos. We were also getting wet from spray blowing up off the waterfall. It gave beautiful 360 degree views of the park, and you could see the different colours in the rock. It was good to see glacier lakes again and reminded us of the Rockies in canada.
It was then on to Lago Grey or the Grey Lake, weaving through bright green glacier lakes to get there. We had a rather posh lunch which was included in our trip overlooking the lake where we got our first glimpse of a bright blue ice berg which has floated down the lake from the glacier at the other end.
We were to take a 3hr boat trip up the lake to the glacier dodging the ice bergs as we went. The ice bergs didnt look real as they were so blue against the rocky background. We were expecting a gentle trip across the lake to the glacier but we were in for a shock as the moment we set off the boat started bouncing over waves sending them crashing across the boat. Luckily we were in the cabin so we didnt get wet although we couldnt see a thing as the waves kept crashing over the windows.
Once the boat finally stopped we were allowed out onto the deck to finally see the glacier up close. Appologies for all the photos (but you have got off lightly as that isnt all of them!) but it was just so impressive.
I dont think the photos really give you a feel of just how big it really is. The height of the glacier varies from 25m to 60m and its a near vertical drop from the top into the water.
The colours are also impressive the ice is white with huge areas of bright dazzling blue. Huge cracks and holes were all across the front. Caves and caverns had melted in the front.
At one point small chunks began falling into the water, then there was a deafening cracking sound and a huge slab crashed down into the water. There was a minor panic as a huge wave headed towards the boat, so the captain motored us away as fast as he could incase any more fell down.
We continued along the front of the glacier which was split into 2 sections. I enjoyed a glass of Johnny Walker Red label on ice taken from the glacier.
We kept dodging past ice bergs which were also very blue and were covered in funny patterns where the water had melted the ice.
As we came across the second section the wind got up and blew icy rain across us and the boat turned and headed back. The journey back was far calmer as we followed the wind and waves. As we got off the boat a huge rainbow appeared across the lake just for good effect.
It was then back in the minibus and back to the hotel for 9.30 with just about everybody doing nodding dog impressions most of the way back.
Yesterday we returned on the 3hr bus ride back to Punta Arenas ready for our afternoon flight back to the civilisation of Santiago. As we flew we passed over San Rafael glacier, again we were amazed by the sheer size of it, as even flying at whatever height we were at it still looked massive.
We are here in Santiago until Sunday when we take a mammoth flight to New Zealand!!!!
English speaking people again and no more dodgy dubbed tv!!! The simpsons just isnt the same with a foreign spanish voice!!
Obviuosly as you have already guessed Chile hasnt been our favourite country, however the 3 day trips we have done here have definatley made it worthwhile visiting.
- comments