This would be our third visit to El Calafate, with visits ten and five years previous. The reason for coming here is simple - the Perito Moreno Glacier.

El Calafate itself has everything that a tourist would likely need. Hotels a plenty, restaurants, bars, tat shops and as the location is around 50 miles (80km) from the glacier, it makes a day trip quite straightforward as the road is excellent and light of traffic.

Perito Moreno Glacier still ranks as one of the greatest natural wonders we have seen and to be honest nothing quite prepares you for seeing it - it is stunning. Unlike many glaciers this one isn't receding, it's constantly moving forward at a rate of around two metres a day from the icefield into Lake Argentina. This visit we took a boat to see the southern wall of the glacier which was an hour long trip and it was well worth the money.

The main viewing galleries are very well arranged with numerous locations where you can sit and actually hear the ice moving. It creaks, it cracks, and it sounds like gunfire. You also get some of the glacier front falling into the lake although it's a little bit like a 2p shove machine at an amusement arcade, but around 5 km (or 3 miles) long and 70 metres (over 200 feet) tall above the water!

It was so good that we went back on our second day for a few hours as well. If you ever get the chance to be in this part of the world it really is a recommended trip even if it sounds a little like watching paint dry. You too may become hooked!

Our second full day hower started with a visit to the Nimez Bird Sanctuary, on the edge of town. For the twitchers amongst the group - and us trainee twitchers - there is an abundance of birdlife to view here on an easy to walk trail. It is a well set up facility and the entry ticket gave us a second bite of the cherry the following morning before needing to head to the airport.

As mentioned El Calafate has lots of tourist trappings, after dinner on our final evening we visited an ice bar with Chris and Gail. With some bizarre music thumping out, and a warm thermal coat to keep out the chill the drinks were served in ice glasses too. It did not appear to be the most popular attraction in El Calafate - but it was an interesting experience.

Even though Heather said that this would likely be our last trip to see the Perito Moreno Glacier when we started planning this trip somehow I get the feeling we will be back. Not too sure when, but maybe every five years is about right!

Our trip to the Argentinian capital was with Aerolineas Argentinas on board flight AR1871 which was a three hour flight on board a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. El Calafate airport, with views out onto Lago Argentina really is set in a great location . . . . sadly my windowless window seat on the flight did not allow me to see any of the scenery as we departed El Calafate to BA!

** Check out the photos section of this blog for more photos from our 2018 trip to El Calafate if you can't see the link in this entry **