Dec 29, 2009

Chile, Santiago

Santiago, a huge sprawling city trapped within a suffocating valley between the impressive Andes was a shock to the system after breathing the cleanest air and drinking the purest water in Patagonia. Although, leaving Winter behind was a fantastic feeling, especially as the sweltering heat of Santiago brought us closer to our much anticipated destination New Zealand. Our stay was short and sweet, wandering around the city together on a relaxed high we casually soaked up the chaos of this mad city and having previously lived here ten years ago, the familiarity was a warm welcome after many weeks of the unknown.

View over the city

Trip to the fish market.

The only place to try the amazing seafood Chile has to offer.

What a menu!


I am sure she would have been impressed!

The old and new.

There are dozens of these fast food cafes situated in down town Santiago that sell these vile yet very creative dishes. When you think of the time and effort that goes into making these fresh displays of junk food, it baffles me how they entice anyone to enter at all.

The effects of Chile's over indulgence in fast food on a broiling hot day.

We watched this fascinating couple for ages, trying to figure out what their story was. Was he having an affair? Were they old flames reuniting after years apart? We will never know, but one thing is for sure there is no shortage of romance in Santiago. She cried shortly after reading his love note, what can I say...those god damn smooth talking Latinos eh!

Our new found Chilean friends.
We met the couple beside me in a restaurant. We got talking due to the close proximity of our tables and we ended up having a fun filled night with them. They were in the middle of breaking up when we met although we had no idea at the time. I think Bruno and myself were a much wanted distraction for them as they ended up taking us out probably to avoid that difficult chat.
At the end of the night after many beers and a few Pisco Sour's, they left together without any intention of going their own ways. One of those random great nights.

Dec 27, 2009

Chile, Punta Arenas

Isla Magdalena - Penguin Colony


Across the Magellan Strait in Southern Patagonia we crossed rough seas to get to the Magdalena Island, home to more than 150,000 penguins.


FREEZING.

Posing for Bruno












Sea lion colony.




In Chile they forcefully ensure you leave a tip, despite the service being poor in comparison to the rest of South America.

La Luna, the only decent restaurant in Punta Arenas. The elaborate seafood menu was a huge change from the nasty local fast food.

Erratic Rock, the family run hostel in down town seedy Punta Arenas where we stayed for two nights before flying to Santiago.


Dec 24, 2009

Chile, Torres del Paine (Part III)

No turning back now.

All uphill.




Our place of rest for the night.

Christmas Eve would be our last and most difficult trekking day as we attempted to reach the base of the towers, the famous three granite peaks which give the park its name, Las Torres Del Paine. The best time to attempt the climb is before sunrise, supposedly to catch a glimpse of the morning sun hitting the peaks. Alarm bells went off at 3am. The ascent to the towers was approx 2 hrs and with the sun rising at 5am there was no room for slacking. Trying to brave the bitter cold in the dark was pure hell but we kept our thoughts on the sunrise. We started off at a good pace, perhaps too eager, using all our energy before the final horrendous part of the trek which was a never ending steep incline full of huge boulders. When we finally reached the top, the sun was trapped behind clouds which moved in from nowhere and we felt a little cheated after putting in so much effort.


Las Torres Del Paine





Minus temperatures with cutting winds, numb fingers and icy toes. I was cursing everyone who had promised us the glorious sunrise as it never appeared. The trek was worthwhile for anyone who likes to suffer was my initial thought, as the biting cold just had me thinking in one thing, Christmas Eve! I could feel the heat of a roaring fire in my mind with Ella Fitzgerald in the background. Oh how I longed for a Black Russian. Despite my wondering mind torturing me, the views were breathtaking and you can't help but feel a sense of achievement. The most enjoyable part for us both was making our way back down the mountain watching the many suffering trekkers who still had a long way to go.



Coming to the end of the entire trek, a huge Christmas dinner was waiting for us in the lodge at the bottom of the mountains. Poor Bruno got food poisoning and spent the rest of the day in bed missing out on the huge banquet of delicious food.



Christmas day there was no trekking allowed. Instead we went horse riding through the most incredible scenery. The perfect end to our Torres Del Paine adventure.