I was sad to leave Torres del Paine, but was thankful to see that the clouds were even more covered in clouds than the previous day. (How I would have hated to still had an opportunity to try and reach the Torres peaks)
Views: even worse
It is amazing how the clouds completely hide the mountains and how it would be completely disappointing to never have seen at least a few.
So we got on the first catamaran and made our way out of the park and back to Argentina.
The Boarder
This time we took the boarder that is closer to Torres del Paine, since we didn't have to go to Puerto Natales. The system was far less confusing, more efficient and we didn't have a problem at all.
We even had a bonus treat at the Argentine boarder with a couple of fuzzy black puppies to play with while waiting to get stamped through.
El Calafate
After another long and desolate drive we arrived back to El Calafate to drop off our rental. We had underestimated our gas level (with the not-trustworthy gas gauage) and had to wait in a very long queue to fill up, since the other gas station had ran out of gas.
Welcome to life in a small town in the middle of nowhere.
The town is much bigger than we expected, with a ton of little shops and restaurants. Apparently the town is just exploding, as it is close enough to Torres del Paine and the Glacier national park, which includes the Perito Moreno glacier and Mount Fitz Roy to the north (about 2 hrs away).
Are you sure you're okay?
The two days of hiking took its toll and after a lengthy car ride I was walking quite stiff. The hostel had booked our tour for the next day, which was a semi-intense hike on the Moreno glacier. This hike was the other highlight of the trip, so there was no way I was missing it.
There were stern warnings that if I showed that I was limping that I would be denied to go on the hike, even though I had paid. And no, they would not repay my money. And yes, the excursion wasn't cheap and definitely a treat.
So all evening I worked on stretching and resting my fatigued muscles and blisters.
Flight of meat
Argentina is back in my good books! We found a recommended restaurant that had excellent service, great wine, a flight of meat and the most amazing papas fritas, or french fries.
The meat: Of course grilled, we had lamb and two types of beef - one a sirloin of sorts and the other the infamous chorizo. While there was some fat, it was no where near what we experienced in BA. The lamb stole the show though, being tender and flavourful.
The fries: Cooked with white wine, garlic and herbs. Must try to replicate at home. I could actually go for some now they were that good.
More dogs
On our short trek back to our hostel we encountered several more dogs. Of course we had to pet as many as we could, even rescuing one whose leash was wrapped up around its fence.
How can you grow that here?
For being so far south, and being really in a tundra/desert terrain, I was absolutely amazed at what is grown here.
Roses - huge bushes with large flowers covering the bush. Something you'd see in Vancouver.
Lavender - again, huge bushes littered with flowers. Reminds me of what I saw in France. Again, wtf?!
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