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9 november - A sunny, warmer day spent weaving between mountain peaks and clear streams, lakes with sheep and guanacos grazing the hillsides. Orange, yellow and white spring flowers, nestled low to the ground, frame spectacular views. Even up here, fences are strung peak to road, demarcating properties.
With repeated views of the iconic Torres del Paine rock formation, we catch sight of group after group of Andean condors, some soaring, some perched. We drive on the gravel road through a series of gates until a locked one stops further progress. Clouds come in late afternoon as we enter Torres del Paine National Park. Admission today is free; the guides are on strike, trying to draw attention to the park and convince the government to provide more support. A winding gravel road passes numerous lakes until we reach the large Largo Pehoe which boasts clear, aquamarine water because of glacial sedimentation. Our hotel is in the middle of the lake, on an island reached only by a footbridge, isolated from communication with the outside world.
10 november - This morning at 6 am the mountains surrounding the lake have turned pink as they catch the light from sunrise. Set against the light blue lake, yellow flowering bushes, and red hotel, the view rewards us for our early morning walk. As we leave the park we catch a few birds, one particularly close, beautiful little White-tufted Grebe. We drive back through Puerto Natales for lunch at a restaurant specializing in all cuts of roasted lamb served on generous platters with roasted potatoes, then continue back to Punto Arenas, ending our southernmost leg of the trip.
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Cathy Sounds and looks spectacular!