Patagonia, Parque Nacional

Accomodations: Kosten Aike

After breakfast we started on a journey to the National Park in Patagonia.

Along the way, out local guide pointed out many birds that she was able to spot. We saw the chimango caracara, the southern crested caracara, the lesser rhea, and the Andean condor whose wings span can be 12 feet.

We also saw the calafate plant and many beautiful shrubs. The leaves are changing and the colors were spectacular.

We passed by a gaucho ranch nestled in the countryside. So bucolic.

We then stopped at a roadside shrine to pay our respects to Gauchito Gil a popular and legendary character, deeply embedded in Argentina history. He is the subject of worship and devotion throughout the country. Our guide brought two cans of beer since, when you pay your respects and ask for something, you must first offer the saint something as well. Most people pour either beer or wine in front of the shrine. Our guide said it is very serious and we were told to be respectful. We each took a turn pouring the beer and silently asking for our request. The shrines are all over and easily identified by the color red.

We finally arrived at the National Park and the heavens opened up. It was a bit windy, but the rain took center stage. We were all bundled up with long-johns and winter and rain gear, and thankfully it helped while the rain poured down.

We walked all along the ramps to view the glacier. We must have climbed 1,000 steps…up and down and up and down. It was quite something. You really had to be fit in order to walk along.

The walkways can be traveled in several directions and have different routes, viewpoints, and balconies to get the best views of the glacier. Undoubtedly, it is an excellent way to enjoy the glacier from different perspectives.

After we arrived back at the hotel, some of our group went to a wine tasting. The wines were very good and it was a fun time.

Then we met our friend Barbara and we went out to dinner where we thought the rest of the group had gone. We were seated, but didn’t see anyone we knew. We decided to leave and I said to the waiter “Mi amigos no estan aqui!” He understood (even though I’m not sure if what I said was correct) and off we went in search of the other BBQ restaurant.

We found it and we had a great dinner of lamb, beef, sweetbreads, intestines, and a few other meats we had no clue what they were. We had a veggie platter and all in all it was a great meal.

We leave very early tomorrow morning.