February 3 - Back to El Chalten

I got up before 0600 to go to the viewpoint and see if I could get you folks a picture of the sunrise (the things I do for you, eh?).  Unfortunately, the clouds are in the way.  I did take a shot looking down the valley - there was a bit of colour back down the valley.  









Back to the tent.  I read for a while and don't get up for breakfast until after 8 o'clock (I'm going all to hell eh, Ian?).

Putter about, pack up and head down.  A few shots on the way, but nothing spectacular.

First shot being back in town.  If I win the lottery, I'l;l come back and stay in the big hotel to the left :)








Back in the hotel now- showered, unpacked, washing done (drying on the radiators) and still staring at the funny fixture in the bathroom.  I've used it to wash between my toes and maybe I'll wash my boots in it.  I noticed that the hotel staff left the sink drain plug in it (what's that about??).  Any more suggestions?


Dinner tonight. I hit a little restaurant with some local dishes:  Quibebe ( pumpkin and cheese soup), Locro (white bean stew with beef and sausage) and Pastelito (sweet pumpkin tart) for dessert.  Interestingly, the other choice for a tart was Quince.  Oh yeah, a coup[le glasses of vino tinto, too.

It's Feb. 4 today; I'm in the lobby having breakfast.  Much better Internet connection here, but no screaming speed (I can see the guys on the telephone poles sending the messages in semaphore :)

Today is a kick around town day.  I did consider getting up at early at going back up the trail for sunrise shots, but at 0530 the sky was cloudy.  Maybe a walk to a viewpoint south of town.

Back to El Calafate this evening.  I was going to try and go from El Calafate to Bariloche and from there cross the border to Puerto Montt and back to Santiago to meet Laura on the 9th.  However, when I explained this to the fellow (Herman) at the hostel in El Calafate he told me that I might have trouble with that route and it would be better to go back to Punta Arenas and fly from there.  Otherwise, I might be late for Laura - Herman thought being late might cause the rest of my life to be very short.  

So, it's back to Punta Arenas via El Calafate & Puerto Natales.  More later.