End of the world ( literally)

Yesterday, we flew from Santiago, 3 hours southwards, to Puerto Natales. We stay in a hostel where people take walking and climbing seriously. It even has its own climbing wall. It's a bit basic, but it's a fantastic place to meet people and learn from others the best places to go to in the Torres del Paines National Park.

However, not all advice is correct, as we painfully find out this morning. "Best is to rent a car, no problem, there are plenty options." Well, at agency 1, none, agency 2, none, agency 3 none. The bus has already left . We had niw walked for 3km. One more google, we find another local company, get there, and it doesn't exist . I'm getting desperate, but one final google and basta!

A little late, we set off to the park, which is about a 2h drive. The road is called " the end of the world" (fin del mundo). All the effort is worth it, as the park is simply sensational. Beautiful mountains, turquoise lakes, dark blue lakes, dry salt lakes, and even drying lakes with, wait for it, pink flamingos! Without any effort, we see a lot of lamas.

The pictures always show some of these things, but what they can't show is the crazily strong winds. They are easily the strongest winds I have experienced since the hurricane in Geneva, five years ago.

Today was a drive day, a horizontal one. Tomorrow is onwards and upwards.Read more