South America and Seattle 2024

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Trip start
November 11, 2024
South America and Seattle 2024
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Day 1–2
November 11, 2024 at 11:34 PM - November 12, 2024
1 night
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 20 m
New Zealand Tautauroa Creek -36.978899, 174.78653336°58’44” S 174°47’12” E
Auckland
Nov 11–12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
A night at Jetpark Hotel Auckland to split the flight to Santiago. Tracey struggling to find gluten free food, and also suffering from a virus she came down with as we left Australia.
Matthew EslerGah, that's bad luck about the virus. Hopefully not from us! #MelbourneHouseofPlague
11/13/24Reply
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Day 2–4
November 12, 2024 at 2:33 PM - November 14, 2024
2 nights
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 585 m
Chile Plaza de la Constitución -33.440056, -70.65359133°26’24” S 70°39’13” W
Santiago
Nov 12–14, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We had booked a lift from the airport through Booking.com. The driver didn't turn up, so after about an hour waiting and contacting b.c, during which time we had to fend off all sorts of people trying to "help" us, they (b.c) arranged an uber to pick us up. One scam artist pretended to phone our missing driver for us, even handing me his phone. The person on the phone pretending to be our driver told me he couldn't come for three hours. The scam artist had phoned an accomplice.
Next morning, during a wander through central Santiago, we discovered the beautifully restored Banco de Santiago. Pat withdrew some local currency & was so shocked at the fee (aus$15 for a withdrawal of 40,000pesos - aus$60), he walked away leaving his card in the machine. On return 5 mins later it had vanished. After prompting from Pat, the staff advised him to return at 4pm, just in case the card had been 'swallowed' by the ATM. Happily, it proved so!
Santiago has seen better days and we were suffering jetlag, so only had a cursory look. Tim & Jessica arrived after lunch & unfortunately Tim had food poisoning from the flight. Although we all went out to dinner in the evening, everyone was so in recovery mode.Read more
Matthew EslerThat sounds like quite an intense level of criminal activity. Good that you were on the ball.
11/13/24Reply
Arabian NightsWell! That sounds like an interesting start - NOT!
12/4/24Reply
Arabian NightsNot sure why i’m called Arabian Nights (aka Pam - in case u r wondering …)
12/4/24Reply
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Day 4–5
November 14, 2024 at 3:00 PM - November 15, 2024
1 night
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Chile Río Natales -51.727715, -72.49960651°43’40” S 72°29’59” W
Puerto Natales
Nov 14–15, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
After meeting Peter & Anita at Santiago airport, we took an early flight to PN. RIchie was there to meet us & take us to our accommodation. Pat, Tim, Jess & I shared a dome tent, while Peter & Anita were in a cabin with the last member of our trekking group, Nicole.
We all made our way into town for lunch, coffee and last minute purchasers for the trek. PN is a 'nice' little frontier style town, making the most of the Patagonian tourist boom. Time was short & we had to be repacked and ready to hit the road by 6.30am next morning.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, November 15, 2024 at 12:05 PM
☁️ 4 °C
Altitude: 860 m
Chile Torres del Paine -50.943428, -72.95012850°56’36” S 72°57’0” W
W Trek day 1
November 15, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C
WELCOME CTR - TORRES DEL PAINE, return
We were bussed to Torres Del Paine NP, but we didn't start the trek until 9.40am. At the Chilean Refuge (6/10 of the way up) and recovering from jetlag and viruses, Anita & I pulled the pin.
We hadn't realised that there was a time limit on entry to the last few kilometres & that, for us older, slower walkers, the pace expected was a bit much. A Shame! The boys and Jess continued, but food poisoning caught up to Tim & he & Jess turned with just over a kilometre to go. Pat & Peter made the final ascent without incident. Despite the ups and downs, it was a beautiful & memorable hike. The beer & hot chocolate at the end weren't bad either. 13km to 22km, 530 to 1080mt.Read more
Arabian NightsGosh!
12/4/24Reply
Arabian NightsGreat photo at the top!👏
12/4/24Reply
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Day 6
Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 12:22 PM
🌬 4 °C
Altitude: 114 m
Chile Estancia Pudeto -51.02662, -73.02617251°1’36” S 73°1’34” W
W Trek day 2
November 16, 2024 in Chile ⋅ 🌬 4 °C
We had a good night's rest in Richie's "rustic" cabins, which included splitting our own wood for the stove which heated the water & making scrambled eggs for breakfast (Thanks Tim). It was an interesting experience - remote, but with a direct view to the towers, Torres Del Paine. We were half expecting to see the local puma family.
The days hiking was spectacular. The track wound between beautiful, glacial Lago Nordenskjold & the snow-capped Andes. The constantly changing conditions just heightened the drama of the scenery. 17.5 km 520 mtRead more
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Day 7
Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 12:24 PM
☁️ 5 °C
Altitude: 474 m
Chile Torres del Paine -51.008208, -73.05307851°0’30” S 73°3’11” W
W Trek day 3
November 17, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
Last night, we slept in Rooftop tents. Wow! Won't forget that experience in a hurry. Camp Francis is built on such a steep slope that they have used these tents on stilts to accommodate guests. Climbing in and out was a little challenging, especially in the middle of the night. However, the most memorable bit was waiting to sail off into the wild blue yonder as the next cyclonic gust of wind hit the timber & tin frame.
We started the day in pretty solid rain, but within an hour, it had lightened considerably and another hour pretty well saw the end of it. After the first few kms, Pat & Peter decided to head up to the French valley, despite the weather looking pretty grim at that point. The rest of us continued on! Leaving yesterday's Lake, we wound through hills past Lake Skottsberg & on to Paine Grande Refugio on Lago Pehoe. Throughout the relatively short walk (for most of us), we experienced a bit of everything, weather wise. At times, the wind was so strong we could not keep our footing. In fact, on the way in to Paine Grande, Peter was picked up by the wind and lifted a couple of metres sideways by Pat's estimate. 9km & 17km, 162 & 700mt.Read more
Arabian NightsI DID tell u abt the wind!
12/4/24Reply
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Day 8
Monday, November 18, 2024 at 12:27 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 110 m
Chile Torres del Paine -51.002153, -73.18252551°0’8” S 73°10’57” W
W Trek day 4
November 18, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Kevin EslerSpectacular place. Where do you sleep on the W?
11/22/24Reply
TravelerThis requires a bit of a long answer. The short answer is they have Refugios scattered along the walk. Accomm. can be in tents, dormitories, double rooms, Rooftop tents or tour own tent if you want to carry it. But there is an easy way and a hard way to do the w trek, based on the Refugios you book.
12/4/24Reply
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Day 9
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 12:59 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 35 m
Chile Torres del Paine -51.073761, -73.09284751°4’26” S 73°5’34” W
W Trek day 5
November 19, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
REFUGIO GRAY - REFUGIO PAINE GRANDE -Boat & bus to PN
Today we hiked the 11km back to Paine Grande to catch the ferry and bus back to Puerto Natales. An easier walk today, with the climb up the almost vertical watercourse being easier than the climb down yesterday, especially for Tracey's knees!
We had quite a few hours to wait for the 6:40pm ferry. We went to get some pizza at about 5 but they had sold out. 🙁
We joined the queue at the jetty and were among those who managed to get on, with quite a few left to wait in the cold for the next ferry.
At the other end of the ferry ride we walked about a kilometre to find our bus.
The first part of the bus trip, to the park entry where we had started, was on a fairly narrow gravel road. On a bend in the road another bus coming towards us hit the side of our bus breaking a window. After stopping to assess the damage the driver drove on to the park entry where we waited about an hour for another bus.
We finally got to Puerto Natales at about 11:30pm. Ricci picked us up and took us to his restaurant where we had a very late but nice pizza dinner (except for gluten free Tracey).
Back in our cabin with Tim and Jessica the water kept stopping. We finally got to bed unshowered at about 1:30. What a day!Read more
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Day 10–13
November 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM - November 23, 2024
3 nights
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 193 m
Argentina El Calafate -50.338608, -72.26958950°20’19” S 72°16’11” W
El Calafate
Nov 20–23, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
After a very late night we had a bus to catch at 7:30. The water didn't work till I messaged Ricci at 6am, then it went off again fifteen minutes later.
The six hour bus trip to El Calafate in Argentina was very comfortable in the "Full cama" seats we had booked (~US$40). A long queue at the Chilean border post, very relaxed at the Argentinian one a few km later. Peter and Anita were on the same bus.
Taxi to Las Avutardas Hosteria (US$5). Quite nice and the hosts are very helpful, although we had twin narrow and hard single beds.
Very nice dinner at nearby La Candelaria restaurant.
The next day we left some clothes at a lavendaria and had a look around the town centre. We had dinner with Peter and Anita at Isabel Cocina.Read more
Arabian NightsOh i remember the dogs!!😃
12/4/24Reply
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Day 12
Friday, November 22, 2024
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 178 m
Argentina Perito Moreno Glacier -50.464269, -73.04123650°27’51” S 73°2’28” W
Perito Moreno Glacier
November 22, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
We booked a trip to the glacier with PatagoniaChic. About and hour bus trip out there with interesting commentary from our guide, then plenty of time to walk the "balconies", and a boat trip across the north face of the ~50m high ice.Read more
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Day 13–15
November 23, 2024 at 5:30 PM - November 25, 2024
2 nights
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 645 m
Argentina San Martín de los Andes -40.160228, -71.36047540°9’37” S 71°21’38” W
2
4
San Martin de los Andes
Nov 23–25, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Kevin Esler Looks exactly like a tufted titmouse, coloured a bit differently
11/30/24Reply
Kevin Esler Nope. Its a Rufous Collared Sparrow
11/30/24Reply
Traveler The bird are great
12/1/24Reply
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Day 15–20
November 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM - November 30, 2024
5 nights
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 808 m
Argentina Perito Moreno -41.125101, -71.36528441°7’30” S 71°21’55” W
2 1
San Carlos de Bariloche
Nov 25–30, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Kevin Esler Terrific pano
11/30/24Reply
Pat EslerThanks Kev. Yes I like that one. Not bad for an old Pixel phone.
12/1/24Reply
Matthew Esler This really shows how tough the terrain is.
12/16/24Reply
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Day 20–23
November 30, 2024 at 2:00 PM - December 3, 2024
3 nights
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Argentina Palermo -34.581404, -58.43038934°34’53” S 58°25’49” W
1 1 1
Buenos Aires
Nov 30–Dec 3, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We landed in Buenos Aires Saturday afternoon and were met at the airport by the pickup organised by our hotel. Three nights here, but really only two full days so we decided to go to a Tango show that night. The show included a decent 3 course meal and all you could drink. The tango dancers and Argentinian malambo dancers, with boleadoreas, were very entertaining.
Sunday morning was wet so we went on the yellow hop on hop off bus in the rain. Because it was raining the very nice young man at our first stop extended our tickets to 48 hours.
We got off the bus at La Boca and had a nice lunch at Cafe Proa. La Boca is a very colourful area and it was full of Brasilian football fans. The Copa Libertadores grand final was there the day before between two Brasilian teams.
Monday morning it was back on the bus to visit the amazing Recoleta Cemetary, followed by a coffee at La Biela, then a guided tour of Teatro Colón.
We had a very nice seafood dinner at La Pescadorita a few blocks from our hotel.
We highly recommend Hotel Boutique Shoshana in the Palermo district. The staff, the room, the location and the breakfast were all good. Typing this at AEP airport after booking an early uber.Read more
Matthew Esler Interesting
12/16/24Reply
Matthew Esler That merman reminds me of Luke Mildren.
12/16/24Reply
Matthew Esler Cheers!
12/16/24Reply
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Day 23–26
December 3, 2024 at 2:30 PM - December 6, 2024
3 nights
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 156 m
Argentina Puerto Iguazú -25.59344, -54.56529725°35’36” S 54°33’55” W
Puerto Iguazu and Foz do Iguaçu.
Dec 3–6, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
We are staying at the Iguazu Jungle Lodge hotel on the edge of Puerto Iguazu town in Argentina for three nights. We decided to visit the Brazilian side the first morning and the Argentine side the second morning. The first night we walked into town and found a place with a buffet that you pay for by weight. What we thought was hot food was not hot at all. We found the self serve microwaves after we finished eating. 🙁
It seems that the only convenient way to get to the falls is by taxi, with the return cost being 60k pesos (Brazil) and 40k pesos (Arg). 1k pesos is about AU$1.50.
After getting through the two border controls our taxi driver Ruben dropped us at the entry to the national park with instructions to message him with WhatsApp when we were finished.
Entry to the falls in Brazil costs less than half than the Argentinian side. Everything is expensive in Argentina at the moment, probably because they have the exchange rate artificially too high.
Iguazu Falls is really really big. It is actually thousands of waterfalls carrying an enormous amount of water.
After having a good look at the falls, and getting thoroughly wet in the process, we did a short walk through the rainforest. Lots of beautiful butterflies, but sadly no leopards!
The second night we had a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Typing this at the airport about to board the flight to BA then on to Lima. Bags checked through, fingers crossed we see them in Lima!Read more
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Day 25
Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 8:45 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 29 m
Argentina Bella Vista -32.9518, -60.683932°57’6” S 60°41’2” W
2 1 1
Iguazu Falls - Argentina
December 5, 2024 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Today, our taxi dropped us at the Iguazu Falls N P -Arg (IF,Arg) & we started with an adrenalin promoting white water/ waterfall trip on a powerful outboard inflatable. We got thoroughly soaked. The boat actually went under the Falls. It was fun!
Next, we caught the caboose to the highest walk to see the
Garganta del Diablo- 150mt across. The enormous breadth, height and volume of Iguazu are just incredible.
Pat sourced a Take-away for dinner tonight & sin TACC provisions for our long travel day 2moz.Read more
Matthew Esler Love this pic
12/16/24Reply
TravelerXxx
12/16/24Reply
Matthew Esler :)
12/16/24Reply
Matthew Esler Oof, that's a good drop of water.
12/16/24Reply
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Day 26–28
December 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM - December 8, 2024
2 nights
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 62 m
Peru Playa los Yuyos -12.148169, -77.02361412°8’53” S 77°1’25” W
Lima - Barranco
Dec 6–8, 2024 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
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Trip end
December 30, 2024