December 3 (Saturday) We got up very early, checked out of the hotel, then were driven to the airport in Santiago. Took a Lantam flight to Punta Arenas. It took 3.5 hours. It sounded very exotic to me before we got there. Arenas, indeed, sand in Spanish. It means sandy point and was, in fact, a sandy spit of land. Very flat and very dull.
We were met right away by someone from Tierrapatagonia (the hotel we were going to go to). Waited for all passengers to come in from various flights, and were off to 1.) Puerto Natales and 2.) Torres del Paine national park. Paul and Jane from San Francisco were delightful. Hans and Katrina were from Leibzig. There were extremely nice, but their English needed some help.
The drive progressed from somewhat dull to spectacular mountain scenery. We arrived, eventually, after nearly 5 hours, at the hotel Tierrapatigonia. Very beautiful place along Lake Sarmiento at the base of the 3 Cornices and 3 Towers. All the mountain peaks covered with glaciers and snow. An unbelievably gorgeous setting. The first thing I wanted to do was walk to the lake - what a treat!
Dinner was lovely. Then bed. Here are a few driving and arrival photos.
We were met right away by someone from Tierrapatagonia (the hotel we were going to go to). Waited for all passengers to come in from various flights, and were off to 1.) Puerto Natales and 2.) Torres del Paine national park. Paul and Jane from San Francisco were delightful. Hans and Katrina were from Leibzig. There were extremely nice, but their English needed some help.
The drive progressed from somewhat dull to spectacular mountain scenery. We arrived, eventually, after nearly 5 hours, at the hotel Tierrapatigonia. Very beautiful place along Lake Sarmiento at the base of the 3 Cornices and 3 Towers. All the mountain peaks covered with glaciers and snow. An unbelievably gorgeous setting. The first thing I wanted to do was walk to the lake - what a treat!
Dinner was lovely. Then bed. Here are a few driving and arrival photos.
Close to Punta Arenas. Lots of sheep not much elevation change
Beginning of the interesting
Aha things are looking up - literally
Puerto Natales
On the way toward the park.
At the lake
The hotel seen from the lake
Hikes begin tomorrow.
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