Friday, February 19, 2010

The Lake District

After completing our hike in Torres del Paine, we spent the night back in Puerto Natales, Chile, before heading back to El Calafate, Argentina by bus...another 5 hour bus ride. Always uneventful when you cross back to Argentina....they don´t seem to be as strict as the Chileans. The hostal that we had previously stayed in, had kept the majority of our bags while we were out on our hike. They were kind enough to allow us to spend the afternoon in their hostal prior to catching our plane at 7 p.m. to get to Bariloche in the Lake District, a 2 hour flight. The Lake District is in the northern part of Patagonia.

Arrived at our hostal, Las Costas de Nahuel which was located right on the lake and our room had a view of the lake. Quite windy when we arrived late in the evening, but weather cleared the next morning. We had arranged a two day trip referred to as Cruce de Lago...The Crossing of the Lakes.

Picked up the next morning at 7 a.m. and joined a bus full of people from Israel (probably around 60 of them) for the trip. We had also noticed lots of young Israelis on the ´´W¨´ hike. We were told by our guide on the hike, that the young Israelis either come to Chile and other parts of South America or to New Zealand after their mandatory two year military service. Apparently they feel very safe in these countries. We actually thought it was quite strange that the older Israelis spent time in the Lake District as this is the area where many of the Germans fled to, to get away from war crime trials....I guess that is our warped sense of humour at work...(sorry if I have offended anyone!!). Only about 5 other couples of different Nationalities on the tour.

Our trip consisted of a bus ride, then a boat, then a bus, then a boat, then a bus, then a boat, then a bus..... seriously. This trip crosses 3 seperate lakes and goes over some mountain roads. The company that runs this trip has the rights to use these roads. Partway through the trip you cross the border over to Chile. This was the third time we were in Chile.....they must really wonder when they look at all the stamps in your passport. Stopped for lunch in a tiny town, just across the border, then continue on our trip.

A great trip with wonderful views of the beautiful lakes and mountains. Finally arrived at our destination, Puerto Montt, Chile around 10 p.m. A long day, but relaxing and wonderul views. Stayed in a wonderful little inn (Tren del Sur). The next afternoon we took the bus back to Bariloche, Argentina....a supposed 5 hour bus ride, which turned into about 8 hours. Arrived back to our hotel, to simply hit the hay. Our dinner that evening consisted of empanadas on the bus ride.

This area (Bariloche and the Lake District) really reminds us of Switzerland. Many of the homes, lodges and inns are log built and great little villages around the lake.

Will bring everyone up to date on Christina´s (The President) latest escapades. Well.....she was at the opening of a large supermarket (can´t you just picture Stephen Harper cutting a ribbon at the opening of a grocery store!), and has now fired the General of the Army as she felt he was in cahoots with the Vice President who is from the opposing party. In the papers a couple of weeks ago, she said that she and her husband had a very amorous weekend and said it was due to the fact that they had been eating a lot of pork. Guess she is trying to give the pork industry a boost. Must have been too amorous a weekend as this past week her husband had a heart attack!! Actually, he had bypass surgery last weekend...the papers wonder who is running the country if he is down for the count. Makes for interesting reading!!

Well, this is the end of our blog for this trip. Unfortunately, Robin got ill in Puerto Montt and I had to take him to emergency. Considering the language barrier, and the fact that he must get this problem resolved (not too serious), we decided the best thing was to get back to Canada.  We left Bariloche the next morning, flew to Buenos Aires, then flew back to Canada the next day. Our trip was cut short by a couple of weeks. We would have liked to explore the Lake District further, but an excuse to come back.

Hope everyone has enjoyed our blog....we look forward to our next adventure.

Robin and Claire

1 comment:

  1. Sorry to hear of Robin's illness and having to cut short by two weeks, but as you say an excuse to return, hopefully we can join you then.
    It would be fantastic!!!!
    never heard if you found good chocolate for Robin in Patagonia.
    Will try to call you at home to enquire how Robin is and indeed Claire as well.
    Watching the Vancouver winter Olympics, Love Tim & Gail.
    PS: Going to Adelaide 19-22 of March to see an International sevens with 16 teams, should be a good weekend, with Grahame Boulter [remember him from Barclays bank & hornets?].

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