Hubby and I are beginning to wish that we’d planned our trip differently. That we had not come to Patagonia quite so early in our South America adventure. Because, from the moment we stepped off the plane in El Calafate, we fell head over heels for the place, and the people. And, frankly, we’re a bit worried that nothing else after this will measure up.
El Calafate. How to describe this town? It’s a place of contrasts. Set beside the blue, blue waters of Lago Argentino. Surrounded by mountains, and dry gorsey plains. Kind of ramshackle. Kind of cutesy. Dogs wander the streets, some strays, some not, most of weirdly mixed breeds. All quiet, docile, and obviously used to traffic. They wait patiently at the door of the “Supermarcado,” or curl up in a patch of sunlight on the sidewalk. The main street has many restaurants and stores that sell high-end outdoor gear and Patagonia souvenirs. Line-ups for gas stretch away from the service stations and down the street most days, and like in Cuba or Coober Pedy (in Australia) residents drive beat up old cars that we never see in Canada any more… except maybe up north. Not all the residents drive beat up cars, of course. But enough to make it noticeable. Our room the first night looked out on the main drag that takes people down town, and out of town. And the number of wonky mufflers and backfiring engines we heard was amazing. I even actioned my ear plugs to be able to get some sleep.
| Schilling Hostel Patagonica |
The shot, above, is our accommodation in El Calafate. Schilling Hostel Patagonica. Our home away from home for five nights. The rooms are comfortable, if a bit in need of an upgrade. The breakfast is good, but no different from anywhere else: toast, yogurt, cereal, cakes, and coffee and tea. But we loved it here. The owner, her son, and the two girls on reception could not do enough to make us feel at home. There is help-yourself tea (yah!) and a help-yourself bookshelf in one of the common rooms. Guests pore over the partly finished jig-saw puzzles laid out on various small tables. In fact, one couple swore they could not leave until they had finished theirs, and we returned from dinner late one night to find them still bent over their task. The kitchen is open to guests from noon onwards. This made so much difference to us. We were able to buy food, keep it in the guest fridge and make our own lunches and, on one night, dinner, and avoid restaurant food at least for a few meals.
The best thing about places like this, though, has to be the people we meet. We chatted with three American kids the first night over wine. We made lunch one day alongside two girls, one from Switzerland who lives in Norway, and her friend from the Netherlands who currently lives in Australia, but is moving to Canada. We talked health care with an American medical student from Kansas City who ruefully said he feels as if he might emigrate when he finishes his studies. And over beers in the garden one evening we chatted with two delightful guys from Brazil about sports… soccer, hockey… and surprisingly curling. One of them is fascinated by curling, how it works, how to play. And Hubby was in his element, demonstrating stone throwing technique, explaining how the rocks curl, and how to sweep. Except, of course, without the stones or the broom. And, like every trip we’ve ever been on, we met someone from home. On our last day we ate lunch with a young couple who live in Malaysia where the young woman works as a teacher. But she’s originally from Almonte, Ontario… near Ottawa. And she even knows a former colleague of mine. Travel really does make the world seem small, sometimes.
| The road from El Calafate to El Chalten |
After two days in El Calafate we picked up a rental car and hit the road for El Chalten. A kind of hippie/ hiker/ frontier village in Los Glaciares National Park. We saw llamas, actually guanacos would be more correct, along the highway as we drove, lots of gorgeous views, and then finally this. I stood in the middle of the road to get the shot above. I was definitely NOT taking my life in my hands, since there was no other traffic. That’s Mount Fitzroy up ahead on the right. Pretty darned stunning.
| The last stretch of highway down into El Chalten |
This is the view as we rounded a bend in the highway and approached the village. We had worried that we might have gas problems here. The agent at the car rental company said there was a strike up north, and the tanker trucks had not been able to deliver gas to the one station in El Chalten. But he said if we were careful, our tank might just be able to get us the 214 km to El Chalten and back to El Calafate. Uh, okay. So we were happy when, as we neared town, we saw that the gas station was open and the line-up short. We pulled in and filled up. Phew. We were relieved that we would not have to undertake the drive back to El Calafate with the anxiety that we might run out of gas. Coz… other than the quaint hotel and restaurant at La Leona… there ain’t anything between one place and the other, folks. One cool fact we learned when we stopped at La Leona for coffee, is that Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid stopped here too… back in the day, on their way to Bolivia. We hoped our adventure would turn out happier than theirs did.
| Laguna Capri |
And of course it did. No bank robberies, ambushes, hail of gunfire… or anything of that nature. Just lots of hiking. Beautiful, amazing scenery. Friendly people. And very quirky restaurants. So we walked, huffed, puffed, ate, and chatted for four days. Heaven. That’s Laguna Capri above, the destination on our first hike. Not too far, but up hill most of the way. And then, of course, down…which is easy on the lungs, but much more challenging on the knees.
| Setting off for Loma Del Pliegue Tumbado |
Our second hike was a bit more daunting. Loma Del Pliegue Tumbado was recommended by one of the girls who work at our accommodation. Julia actually helped Hubby plan both our hikes. She is an experienced walker and climber and she and Hubby pored over the map one morning deciding what we should do.
| So… this was an okay place to have lunch. |
This is the most challenging hike we’ve done in a few years. Four hours to the summit, the last couple across scree. Three hours to the view above. As we sat here and ate our lunch we decided that this beautiful view suited us fine. Just fine. We did not need to scramble across the scree for another hour to the summit. Besides, neither of us thought we had another hour of uphill left in us. And the two and a half hours of sometimes steep downhill we had yet to navigate made us glad that we had demurred. My knees, hips, and lower back thanked me the next day, I can tell you.
Let’s just pause here to talk a bit about El Chalten the town. Although it looks nothing like Canada’s Dawson City in the Yukon, it nevertheless reminded us of our visit there a few years ago. The same haphazard town “plan,” gimcrack buildings that look as if there are constructed of tin and plywood, but of course they aren’t. Dirt streets. Sidewalks that are so uneven it’s safer to walk down the middle of the road, which is, of course, what everyone does. Backpackers abound. Camper vans are parked at the trail head, small lines of washing fluttering in the breeze. There are tons of small restaurants. Bars in the grassy front yards of many of these restaurants have wooden benches and thick tables right out of an episode of ‘The Flintstones.”
We dined one night at Tapena, recommended by a couple we met in El Calafate, and our meal was delicious. But we loved best our meal at El Muro. Where we watched out the window as the owner chopped logs for the fire that was cooking lamb on a spit, then rushed inside, and reappeared in his chef’s jacket in time to serve beer at the outside bar to a group of tired hikers. That’s him below with Hubby and me after our meal. He kind of looks like a Spanish speaking Dennis Quaid don’t you think? The shot below that is of one of two wide “boulevards” coming into town. The side streets are much narrower and not paved. And overlooking everything is that amazing, gleaming, snow-covered mountain.
| Chatting with our host at El Muro, after our meal |
| The main thoroughfare coming into El Chalten… one of the two paved streets in town. |
We were sad to leave El Chalten behind. The morning we checked out Tatiana who works the desk at Hosteria Kaulem and I exchanged e-mail addresses. What a cutie she is. Bright, friendly, always happy to chat, whether about our hike the day before, or her own travel plans when the tourist season is over. She’d stand with her tray balanced on her hip as Hubby or I regaled her with stories over breakfast, giggling, nodding and saying, “Si, si, si.” In fact, as we drove out of town heading back to El Calafate, Hubby and I remarked how great all the young people we’ve met who work in the tourist industry seem to be. From Alejandro in Buenos Aires, Tatiana and Julia in El Chalten, to the lovely Antonella at Schilling Hostel in El Calafate, they have all been wonderful: helpful, knowledgeable, keen to explain their world to us, and interested in hearing about ours. As Hubby said, someone, sometime has done their job well. Whether parents, teachers, mentors or whomever, someone has helped these young people become who they are, a credit to their country. Gad, I’m tearing up as I write this. What an old softie!
But we still had one more thing to see before we were ready to fly back north. Perito Moreno glacier, in Los Glaciares National Park, outside of El Calafate. I tried to do justice to its magnificence but I’m afraid my shots are a pale imitation. So huge and so very blue, my camera would not capture its grandeur. It’s one of the most amazing natural wonders Hubby and I have seen. Rising 50-70 metres above the lake at its face, it’s one of the few glaciers in the world that is still growing. We took a boat ride out to the face. And then walked along the shore, up a series of stairs and platforms called the balconies. I tried to capture in a video the sound and sight of the chunks that sheared off right in front of us, falling into the lake and creating their own mini-tsunami. Each time we heard a crack and a boom, I grabbed for my phone. But alas, I’m no “Quick Draw McGraw.” Ha. I’m afraid that only those of you who are my vintage and who grew up on American cartoons will understand that allusion.
| Perito Moreno Glacier |
And speaking of cartoon allusions. Let’s discuss my ability, or inability, to speak Spanish. My frequent expostulations of “Ooh, la, la,” or “Andale, andale. Arriba, arriba,” are pure Speedy Gonzales, I’m sad to say. I can’t help it. I grew up on Looney Tunes cartoons and those images and the voices of the characters are in my head for life. Still, Hubby and I have had so much fun trying to navigate the world in Spanish. With the help of kindly waiters, we’ve pretty much mastered the dinner menu thing. I’ve learned how to order chicken and not the game of polo, as I mentioned in my last post. I’ve learned that “bife” is not pronounced “biff,” but should sound like “beef-ay.” Which actually makes more sense. I’ve learned that ‘g’ sounds like I’m clearing my throat, that ‘v’ sounds like ‘b,’ which explains everyone being “berry happy” to see us. I now understand why no one knew what we were talking about when we asked for Vellagas Street. “How do I say that again, Suz?” Hubby queried the day after the clerk at our hotel taught us the proper pronunciation. “It’s easy,” I replied, “the ‘v’ sounds like ‘b,’ the double ll’s sound like “sh” and the “g” sound is soft. Everything else is the same.” Ha. He was not amused.
I must admit though, that it’s highly unlikely that I’ll return home fluent in Spanish. I will, however, have a hard time breaking the habit of speaking English with a Spanish accent. I know. I’m such a mimic. I don’t do it on purpose. I just open my mouth and it comes out. I can’t help it. Seems like I can’t help a lot of things these days, doesn’t it? Sigh. I guess we can’t all be perfect.
And speaking of perfect. Or imperfect, as the case may be. I’ve had trouble again, finding time to finish this post. I sat down a few days ago and in a couple of hours had it done. Then in my inexperience with this new ap, and the fact the internet went down when I was trying to save… I lost all my work. Crap. But there was nothing to be done but pack up the i-pad and go out for supper. After all we’re in beautiful, historic Salta, now. There are sights to see, vino tinto to sample, and beef-ay … always beef-ay… to eat.
We’re exactly half way through our adventure now. Only one more road trip to the “outback” of northern Argentina left on our agenda, then we’re off to Peru.
| Farewell beautiful Patagonia |
36 thoughts on “Patagonia: Like Falling in Love”
What an adventure! You're making me want to visit Patagonia, for sure. Those mountains…wow! How is your travel wardrobe holding up?
What an amazing adventure! And you're only half-way through! Good luck with the rest of the trip, looking forward to future posts.
What a beautiful story,full of adventures,beautiful scenery and photos-it seems amazing!
Enjoy the second part 🙂
Dottoressa
Thank you. That was fantastic. I love this blogging world….first hand knowledge. Safe travels.
Ali
Fab post, Suz! I've always wanted to know what Patagonia was like. Did you meet any Welsh speakers, I wonder. Don't worry too much about peaking too early, my friend who's been travelling to S.A. each year favours Peru so you may be on your way to another winner. Take care of your knees on the downward slopes!
What stunning countryside!! The mountains and the Perito Moreno glacier look glorious, but I am surprised at how arid the land is. Most of my experience is with Chilean Patagonia, which I remember as much greener (even though I was there in December). How wonderful that at least one glacier in the world is growing! Do you know the altitude of the towns you stayed in, or the altitude of the starting and ending points of either of your hikes? Congratulations on the hiking you have done! Thank you so much for taking time to write and negotiate with the Internet so that you could publish this post. Your travel stories are delightful…and thrilling!
So wonderful! Almost feel like I'm there.
Great post again . I've been keeping track of your instagram pics but it's better with your travelogue . It seems such a varied journey & I've seen very little of S America before . How beautiful it is . I have learnt a little Spanish over the years as Spain has always been a favourite of ours & I tend to lapse into Spanish in other parts of Europe – to blank looks , but SA Spanish seems different again . Happy traveling .
Wendy in York
Thank you for this fun and beautiful peek into a spectacular place on this earth. God speed to you in your travels.
The travel and its description has been marvellous and can only imagine how difficult it must be to find the time, energy and internet connections to do a post. We are grateful for the photos and the accompanying text and will look forward to the next instalment whenever that should appear in the inbox. Safe and most memorable travels to you and your hubby! Enjoy each moment! Cheers, Alayne
Thank you for finding the time and energy to write this post and post pictures on instagram. What a fabulous adventure with wonderful scenery and experiences you are having. Take care on those downward slopes and especially those scree slopes.
Your trip sounds so delightful and the scenery truly is breathtaking.
I applaud you for getting up as many posts as you have! It will be a great diary of your trip when you return home.
bisous
Suzanne
What an unbelivable adventure! Thank you so much for posting and letting us share in some of the beauty. How interesting your experiences with the SA people, especially the young.
Just viewed your latest instagram video & it could hear you & Stu chatting . Felt quite exciting to hear your voices ! Love the accents
Wendy in York
What a wonderful travel-log! You have done a superb job of taking us along on these adventures. Many thanks!
What a GREAT post! You are doing us such a favor with your just-right detailed descriptions and photographs. I literally know nothing about the part of the world you're in right now — other than map-staring. There are so few travelogues I stumble across about this part of the world.
Thank you.
What an astonishing place and an amazing adventure! And hats off for this incredible post that brings us into your experience both with words and images. (That glacier does NOT look real. Extraordinary!)
As for the hiking, I don't know how you do it. Even in my younger days, I was more than fine with long distance walking (miles and miles), but hiking? Even at 35 it wasn't something I could comfortably do. You are brave and talented, my friend.
The people you mention… Yes! In my experience, that is and always has been one of the most rewarding things about traveling. It's so powerful to have positive experiences in far-off lands. It truly does remind us of our common humanity.
xo
I'm still running after a Two, so little time to comment, but I couldn't let this great post go unacknowledged, especially considering that you took time from your fabulous adventures to write it for us — and then to do that again after losing it first-time 'round. What a satisfaction taking in that stunning view after the hard work of climbing it. I'm wincing, though, at the idea of the climb back down — were you really sore the next few days?
Vertigo would prevent me doing a lot of this but it all looks splendid. And that hostel…I have been doing a similar, but very watered down, activity this weekend in the Lake District of England. Such happy people, such friendly dogs, no fuss, great food and beer, simple pleasures. Oh yes, indeed. The outdoor life reminds us of our basic human roots. Best foot forward!
It sure looks like a fascinating place. Your photos are great.
Thanks.
Just stunning – that glacier made me catch my breath! How amazing
Yes… it was amazing. Sort of unreal.
Patagonia looks jawdroppingly beautiful! I love your descriptions of the various people you encountered and how you're finding the Spanish language – adds such vivid colour and detail. What a fabulous trip. 🙂
Thanks. We did have a wonderful trip.
Wow just a stunning destination. What a nice place to go hiking and so neat you got to see the glaciers (that is on my bucket list). The ice really is so blue, I would love to see it in person. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Thanks, Anisa. I highly recommend Argentina. We loved it there.
The mountains here are so dramatic, we would love to hike out there! We also love going to little hostels and B&B's and meeting like-minded travelers. It really does make the world feel smaller 🙂 Beautiful pictures and post!
Thanks. The hiking and mountains are fabulous. But the small things… friendly people, unusual places to stay are great too.
gorgeous photos! #theweeklypostcard
Thanks, Tanja.
So incredibly beautiful. So beautiful it doesn't even seem real.
The sight of that shining white peak overlooking El Chaltan was incredible. And the glacier…of course. Both seemed to be painted on the sky.
What an incredible experience! I am willing to travel to Patagonia, hike, visit glaciers… All what you did is inspiring. Thanks for sharing with us. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks so much for hosting such a great link-up.
Such amazing scenery! Oddly, this is the second post we've seen about Calafete this week. Starting to think the Universe is trying to tell us something! Hmmm…maybe we should listen? Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
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