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