| Dramatic landscapes provided us a continual Kodak | | | | excellent buys on alpaca sweaters and blue lapis |
| moment throughout. It is late spring in the region and | | | | stoned jewelry. |
| the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. | | | | The next day we rafted the powerful Petrohue River |
| This however is a land where the unexpected is the | | | | on class 3 and 4 white water rapids. Four people fell |
| norm, so we came prepared for occasional wind and | | | | out of an overturned raft but wet suites provided |
| rain. | | | | protection from the frigid water and expert guides in |
| After a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour | | | | kayaks were able to quickly retrieve all. This excursion |
| in Santiago, we flew south to Punta Arenas. There we | | | | for me was the highlight of the trip. |
| transferred 2 hours by coach to Puerto Natales at the | | | | On day 8 we enjoyed a catamaran cruise along the |
| Patagonia steppe. We welcomed an overnight at the | | | | shores of All Saints Lake also named Emerald Lake |
| spartan but cozy Charles Darwin Hotel and a fabulous | | | | for it's vibrant color in Peulla. The lush green forest |
| dinner of king crab and fresh salmon. | | | | here is set in the Andes foothills and covers 220,000 |
| The following day we sailed several hours on the | | | | acres. We photographed a succession of beautiful and |
| cutter vessel "21 de Mayo" up the fjord of Ultima | | | | powerful waterfalls cascading over volcanic boulders |
| Esperanza. We stopped for a hike around the | | | | of the ice capped Osorno. |
| fabulous Serano Glacier and a lunch on lamb at a | | | | Our vacation experience culminated back in Santiago |
| remote cattle ranch. Later we boarded zodiac boats | | | | with a farewell feast of seafood at a deluxe local |
| for a thrilling ride to our lodge located inside Torres del | | | | restaurant. Prior to airport departure, we toured the |
| Paine National Park. Hosteria Pehoe is rustic for a rate | | | | Cavas del Maipo Winery. We enjoyed a lunch of |
| of $200 per room but it lies on the edge of a turquoise | | | | fantastic BBQ steak and imbibed on endless wine, |
| glacial lake with an indescribably beautiful view. The | | | | including several vintages which rank among the |
| backdrop of the spiny tall rugged mountains capped | | | | nations most esteemed exports. |
| with ice was as vivid as a postcard. | | | | Ten days was sufficient here to see an eyeful. I've |
| Three days were spent touring the park. We were | | | | had my fill of salmon and lamb for a lifetime and reflect |
| able to photograph the wildlife including guanaco's of | | | | back on a journey well done. We had a wonderful |
| the llama family, foxes, flamingo, sea lions, black neck | | | | group of 35 participants, most who met as strangers |
| swans, condors, cormorants and more. Several in our | | | | and returned as lifelong friends. The cost of this trip |
| group arranged a nocturnal hike to view the elusive | | | | was $2397 plus taxes which included roundtrip air |
| puma but none were spotted. Free time was provided | | | | from Miami and all internal flights. The $100 Chilean |
| for horse riding and boating to magnificent Grey | | | | entry visa was extra. It was a good value and the |
| Glacier which was a delight. Some people opted for an | | | | guides throughout were excellent. |
| arduous 8 hour hike up the famous towering peaks | | | | I have toured over 30 countries. The beauty here lies |
| known as The Torres. | | | | simply in the remoteness; pristine and unscarred nature |
| We flew on to Puerto Montt and checked into the first | | | | in her finest glory. In Patagonia God created a perfect |
| class Hotel Gran Pacifica for four glorious nights to | | | | juxtaposition of New Zealand's fjords, Switzerland's |
| explore Chile's lake region. It began in Puyehue National | | | | Alps and British Columbia's forests and lakes. Chile is a |
| Park with the backdrop of two spectacular and very | | | | misnomer with no connection to peppers. It was the |
| active volcanos named Osorno and Calbuco. The | | | | Incan word for "land far away." I felt far removed in |
| afternoon was spent at the hot springs area of Aguas | | | | this narrow land that stretches to the end of the world |
| Calientes for a soak in the 110º crystal clear | | | | yet was able to experience all the comforts of home. |
| water. Here we participated in an optional canopy | | | | It certainly exceeded my expectations and I |
| cable swing adventure through the treetops which | | | | recommend it for any intrepid travelers list of must-see |
| was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Enroute back | | | | destinations of a lifetime. |
| to our hotel, we visited a handicraft market with | | | | |