When I was planning this trip I came across two excursions that I really wanted to do in Punta Arenas, Chile: Torres del Paine National Park and the Antarctica Landing. So we could either fly to Torres de Paine and see the gorgeous lakes, glaciers, and the three famous granite towers OR we could fly to King George Island (in the South Shetland Islands), visit the Eduardo Frei Base and Ardley Island (to see some penguins), and put "boots on the ground" in Antarctica.
UGH! I was having a hard time deciding! But, after talking with Josh, we decided to go to Torres del Paine based on the fact that 60% of the time the Antarctic Landing excursion gets canceled, there is a chance for bad weather once you are there, AND it's $3500 per person.
December 24th:
Monday morning we awoke to the Zaandam engaging its thrusters and two tug boats outside our window. It was LOUD!
We asked my parents to take Theo for the day, so Josh and I could go to Torres del Paine. My parents and Theo went on a walking tour of Punta Arenas. They went to the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, the Plaza de Armas, and La Cruz Hill.
When most people hear "Patagonia" they picture Torres del Paine, even if they don't know that's what it's called. Those majestic horns are synonymous with Patagonia and I was so excited to go and see them!
Josh and I jumped on a bus and took a 30 minute ride to the airport. When we arrived at the we were told that the Antarctic Landing tour was canceled, due to bad weather, and those people would be joining us on our trip to the National Park. The more the merrier, right?
We boarded the plane and flew to Puerto Natales where we met our tour guide. We all jumped on a bus and headed over the pampas (an enormous expanse of flat grassland that is home to vast numbers of sheep) towards Torres del Paine National Park. Only low vegetation grows in this area due to the harsh winds (more on that later).
[Rhea]
Before entering the park we stopped at a lookout to catch our first look at the famous horns (torres).
During the drive to the park we saw herds of Guanaco and Andean Condors. At one point the wind picked up so badly that it knocked some people over. Our tour guide, who is a local, said it was "just a light breeze!"
We made our way though the park stopping at various lookout spots. Our tour guide said that being able to see the mountains only happens 10-15 days a year, so we were extremely lucky!
After visiting Lake Sarmiento, Amarga Lagoon, and Nordenskjold Lake, we made our way to a local restaurant where we had a delicious lunch.
We then drove back to the airport and caught our plane back to Punta Arenas.
We made it back to the Zaandam 12 hours after we left. It was a long day, and I missed my Theo, but going to Torres del Paine was 100% worth it!
That night we won our FIRST Team Trivia Challenge! It was all about Christmas songs :-)
Do you know who kept time while the little drummer boy played?
The ox and lamb!
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