Again down south - Patagonia

It is quite late to go to Patagonia at this time of the year as it is pretty far south, but if not now when will we come again....so let´s make sure we get the best out of it now. Despite an early start of the winter as they say (it is still autumn) this whole area of Argentina is amazing. Pampa everywhere you turn. It is a rough country side, windy, lots of condors arounds and well why are we exactly here - of course to see the Perito Moreno Glacier and famous Fitz Roy mountain (never heard of it before the trip..but i am not an expert hiker as we know).

First stop: El Calafate... probably didn´t exist more than 50 years ago. Nice smallish touristy place and the gateway (80km) to the Parque Nationales des los Glaciares. We book a promo for the next day - Day 1 Trip to Perito Moreno with a short trekking - and Day 2 more glaciers Upsala, Spagezzi and the Bahia Orla on a Catamaran.

I can´t really add much comentary - i think the pictures talk for themselves. This is just an amazing, asthonishing and beautifull trip despite the freezing temperatures.

Next stop: El Chalten - four hours coach journey, the 3rd early morning in the row (really can´t do 6 o´clocks, always hated them) and we arrive in no mans land. 400 people live in this "village" off season, 2 people who live here are originally from this village, no paved streets, mobiles don´t work...it is cold, very cold and windy and why are we here ?? Trekking, i love it, Simon hates it, but needs to be done ! We know who is wearing the trousers ...only until i get socked in wet snow.

So, no bookings. You just get a map from the local rankers, take you backpack, some food and your legs and walk as much as you can to get to see Fitz Roy. Well we never managed it, our attempt has to be abadonned after we get soaked as we don´t have waterproof trousers and the snow is just too much. Nevermind, some of you got postcards...

Again, met some nice interesting people, bumped into people we met before and had an interesting time in this part of the world, but craving for at least warmer weather now, hence we head to Chile, Santiago de Chile via Buenos Aires as i found a good deal, only to pick up a new debit card in one of the many HSBCs in BA.