Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales

November 8-10, 2006

After leaving the cave of the Milodon, we entered the park to experience grand vistas and the characteristic changes of weather that the locals say can offer all four seasons in a day. We had sun, rain, sleet and winds so strong we could hardly stand up, as you can see in the picture below when we headed to see this waterfall.

A short while later we drove to a breathtaking view of mountains and lakes - a guaranteed photo opportunity!

We met this nice newlywed couple, enjoying their honeymoon, and offered to take their picture. This photo is actually from their camera. During our tour we got to know them better, and they visited us in Santiago to spend an afternoon and evening with us. While at our apartment we downloaded their photos too.

We all bundled up in our jackets to protect ourselves from the wind between photo shots.

Our new South African friends enjoyed having their picture taken here, just like all the rest of us.

From the mountain views we headed deeper into the park. Wildlife, such as the red fox below, was always near.

Our next adventure was the crossing of a suspended bridge which for safety reasons only permitted six to cross at a time. Once across the river, we were on our way to see icebergs washed ashore from a nearby glacier.

The glacier can be seen at the far left, flowing down from the mountains behind, and terminating in Lake Gray. The large chunks of ice end up drifting in the wind to the shore where we walked to get a closer view. The bright blue color of the icebergs seems surreal, but is due to the sunlight and the characteristics of the compressed ice.

From the icebergs, we headed to our lodge in the park. Can you imagine a more lovely spot to spend the night?

This hiker was up early to enjoy the fresh morning air. Unlike the prior day, with strong and varying weather, we were very lucky with a picture-perfect day for touring and taking pictures.

On our way through the park we came across a group of horses and colts.

Although a fire accidentally started by a tourist a few years ago destroyed thousands of acres of vegetation, new growth has begun to restore the landscape. Many burned trees can still be seen throughout the park, but also great fields of flowers and grasses.

Wherever we stopped, the views seemed perfect for taking potraits. If not pictures of us in beautiful settings, it was pictures of the settings themselves, or the animals that lived there, like this guanaco below.

The only way to get to our lodge was by crossing this narrow bridge. The van drivers had to tuck in the side mirrors, and then very carefully execute their passage through the structure. Practice makes perfect!

The driver easily made it across from his years of practice. We had harder times with other bridges we crossed for our first time. However, the views were worth overcoming our fears, and we always were glad we did it.

We were fortunate to see great condors, with their 9 foot wide wingspan and Artie enjoyed playing with a flock of less threatening looking birds, not far from our lodge.

We also toured waterfalls, rivers and rapids, at times taking precarious positions to get "the perfect shot." But all was done with safety first, careful steps and secure footing. And the pictures speak for themselves.

We sure had a grand time in a grand national park! The next day we headed back to the city of Puerto Natales before returning to Santiago.

We enjoyed watching the black-necked swans glide along the water, dunking their heads for food, or spreading their wings for flight.

We discovered a great little chocolate shop which demanded a return visit before the flight back to Santiago.

Kathy and Bob studied the map of the national park on the chocolate shop wall. Lots of good memories of where we had just been.

This is a trip we will remember always!

Back to Margy and Artie's homepage

After leaving the cave of the Milodon, we entered the park to experience grand vistas and the characteristic changes of weather that the locals say can offer all four seasons in a day. We had sun, rain, sleet and winds so strong we could hardly stand up, as you can see in the picture below when we headed to see this waterfall.

A short while later we drove to a breathtaking view of mountains and lakes - a guaranteed photo opportunity!

		We met this nice newlywed couple, enjoying their honeymoon, and offered to take their picture. This photo is actually from their camera. During our tour we got to know them better, and they visited us in Santiago to spend an afternoon and evening with us. While at our apartment we downloaded their photos too.

		We all bundled up in our jackets to protect ourselves from the wind between photo shots.

		Our new South African friends enjoyed having their picture taken here, just like all the rest of us.

From the mountain views we headed deeper into the park. Wildlife, such as the red fox below, was always near. Our next adventure was the crossing of a suspended bridge which for safety reasons only permitted six to cross at a time. Once across the river, we were on our way to see icebergs washed ashore from a nearby glacier.

The glacier can be seen at the far left, flowing down from the mountains behind, and terminating in Lake Gray. The large chunks of ice end up drifting in the wind to the shore where we walked to get a closer view. The bright blue color of the icebergs seems surreal, but is due to the sunlight and the characteristics of the compressed ice.

From the icebergs, we headed to our lodge in the park. Can you imagine a more lovely spot to spend the night?

This hiker was up early to enjoy the fresh morning air. Unlike the prior day, with strong and varying weather, we were very lucky with a picture-perfect day for touring and taking pictures. On our way through the park we came across a group of horses and colts.

Although a fire accidentally started by a tourist a few years ago destroyed thousands of acres of vegetation, new growth has begun to restore the landscape. Many burned trees can still be seen throughout the park, but also great fields of flowers and grasses.



		Wherever we stopped, the views seemed perfect for taking potraits. If not pictures of us in beautiful settings, it was pictures of the settings themselves, or the animals that lived there, like this guanaco below.

The only way to get to our lodge was by crossing this narrow bridge. The van drivers had to tuck in the side mirrors, and then very carefully execute their passage through the structure. Practice makes perfect!


The driver easily made it across from his years of practice. We had harder times with other bridges we crossed for our first time. However, the views were worth overcoming our fears, and we always were glad we did it. We were fortunate to see great condors, with their 9 foot wide wingspan and Artie enjoyed playing with a flock of less threatening looking birds, not far from our lodge.

		We sure had a grand time in a grand national park! The next day we headed back to the city of Puerto Natales before returning to Santiago. We enjoyed watching the black-necked swans glide along the water, dunking their heads for food, or spreading their wings for flight.



We discovered a great little chocolate shop which demanded a return visit before the flight back to Santiago.

		Kathy and Bob studied the map of the national park on the chocolate shop wall. Lots of good memories of where we had just been. This is a trip we will remember always!

Back to Margy and Artie's homepage