Patagonia, still... now El Chalten

Hello all,

In a very expensive internet cafe so am going to try and write this quickly... or as quickly as I can! We had a great time in the hostel in El Calafate, until one female member of staff managed to thoroughly irritate us, so we were happy to move on. We saw the Perito Moreno glacier - kilometres long and wide, and about 60m high. It can move up to 2m a day. You can hear it creaking and groaning, extremely loudly, and when parts of ice fall off it echoes around the place. Very impressive. We took a local bus there and the scenery was spectacular. Kind of similar to the UK, but somehow more pure. Words really cannot describe it, so will just have to wait for the photos to be put onto the internet! Seeing the glacier was brilliant, but you could not really get that close to it - simply walking along walkways and looking from balconies near it. Compared to some of the experiences we had in Guatemala and Bolivia, where health and safety does not come anywhere near those excursions, it seemed kind of tame. It was `nice` and we were glad we had seen it. Unfortunately the weather turned as well for the worse, which was really unfortunate as didn`t manage to get many good photos of it. But was still good to see it, and we went on a boat ride to it, to see it from the water level (seemed taller), and managed to stand on the boat, tucked up in our raincoats and sunglasses so much I was called a terrorist. (Sunglasses were needed to keep the rain out of eyes!). We also managed to do the Titanic impression at the front of the boat before we were told off... oh well! Pictures to follow.

So have made it to El Chalten, where we spent a couple of nights in a hostel that resembled a shed more. Was so cold, we booked into a better hostel for the 3rd and 4th night. El Chalten is stunningly beautiful. We have walked two long walks - 22 and 25km each, and now cannot walk anywhere! Blisters on ankles, very sore bodies, and thoroughly exhausted. The scenery is spectacular here, and with snow covered mountains, it is probably one of the most gorgeous places that I have visited. The colours are just beautiful, the air is pure, you can drink the water from the streams, and the walks are challenging. Photos to follow of that as well!

We met 4 Israeli guys in the hostel on Thursday and Friday, and ended up having a great time with them. They were so funny, although it took a bit more whisky before we could see the funny side of them nearly setting the hostel on fire (note to self, NEVER put a towel on a gas powered radiator, and be careful when lifting it as it bursts into flames...!) Luckily they have all been in the army for 3 years, so were capable of stamping out the flames. They had trekked up to the Laguna de los Tres to see the Cerro Fitz Roy at sunrise on Friday morning, and so were in a mood to relax on Friday night. Was great to chill out with them, - they were very entertaining.

Saw them a bit more the following day, but unfortunately they had to leave. Always the way with travelling, you meet someone nice, and either you or they have to go in different directions. Still, was great fun while it lasted. So after doing 2 days of gentle walks, and 2 days of more challenging walks, we are crippled enough to go to the next place. Heading to El Bolson or Bariloche this evening - will arrive there early Wednesday morning (32 hours away without delays). Hopefully internet cheaper there, will write again later!

Love from us all,
Alice xxx